Opportunities: IDEX Academy, Transitional Justice Fellowship Program and More

1267394000The IDEX Academy

What is the IDEX Academy?

A week-long training course for anyone who moves resources towards social change.

Why would you want to attend the IDEX Academy?

  • You want to see long-term social change that enables real people to take positive steps in their own lives, and with their families and communities.
  • You want to create new pathways to a healthier and more equitable world.
  • You have seen that for far too long, international development and philanthropic efforts have been ineffective in ending poverty and misguided in creating dignity, equity, and justice for the world’s most marginalized.
  • You are keen to learn about solutions from global thought leaders and practitioners in the field – leading grassroots and movement leaders, community organizers, artists, academics, and progressive philanthropists.
  • You want to be part of a community of change-makers who dare to do things differently.

“The Academy was astonishing and breathtaking and some of the most transformative programming I’ve seen, the combination of strong learning, deep community and transformation and joy in equal measure.” ~Akaya Windwood, Rockwood Leadership Institute

Learn more:

About the Academy: Vision and Context

What to expect at the IDEX Academy

Information for applying to the August 2016 Academy

What participants say about the IDEX Academies: Evaluation & Testimonials

Watch a video featuring highlights from our inaugural IDEX Academy!

Questions? Contact Rajiv Khanna, Director of Learning and Evaluation, at: rajiv@idex.org.


TRANSITIONAL JUSTICE FELLOWSHIP PROGRAMME

The Institute for Justice and Reconciliation (IJR) is pleased to announce the convening of a three week intensive Transitional Justice in Africa Fellowship Programme.Applicants from Burundi, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Kenya, South Sudan, Uganda, Somalia and Zimbabwe will be given preference. We are now inviting qualified individuals to apply to this esteemed programme.

Background to IJR

The Institute for Justice and Reconciliation was established in 2000 in the wake of the South African Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) to promote reconciliation, transitional justice and democratic nation-building in Africa by means of research, analysis and selective intervention. Located at the interface between civil society and academia, it contributes to the building of fair, democratic and inclusive societies in countries undergoing political transition including Burundi, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Kenya, Rwanda, South Sudan, Uganda and Zimbabwe.

The Fellowship Programme will be organised by and hosted within the Justice and Reconciliation in Africa Programme (JRA) which is one of three IJR programmes. The other two programmes are the Building an Inclusive Society Programme (BIS) and the Policy and Analysis Programme (PA). The JRA works at three complimentary and mutually supportive levels with African societies in transition, namely: engaged research and analysis, capacity building, and collaborative political intervention. The Institute seeks to achieve a creative balance between justice and reconciliation, development and human security, as well as contributing to the reconstruction of countries ravaged by war and oppression.

For more information on the IJR and its’ work, please visit www.ijr.org.za.

The Fellowship Programme

The IJR has been hosting Fellows from countries in political transition in Africa since 2000. The programme was designed to attract and bring together scholars and practitioners in the field of transitional justice to compare, reflect, research and write about their experiences and lessons learned from activities, projects and programmes in their respective countries.

The Institute for Justice and Reconciliation was established in 2000 in the wake of the South African Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) to promote reconciliation, transitional justice and democratic nation-building in Africa by means of research, analysis and selective intervention. Located at the interface between civil society and academia, it contributes to the building of fair, democratic and inclusive societies in countries undergoing political transition including: Burundi, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Kenya, Rwanda, South Sudan, Uganda and Zimbabwe.

The Fellowship Programme will be organised by and hosted within the Justice and Reconciliation in Africa Programme (JRA) which is one of three IJR programmes. The other two programmes are the Building an Inclusive Society Programme (BIS) and the Policy and Analysis Programme (PA). The JRA works at three complimentary and mutually supportive levels with African societies in transition, namely: engaged research and analysis, capacity building, and collaborative political intervention. The Institute seeks to achieve a creative balance between justice and reconciliation, development and human security, as well as contributing to the reconstruction of countries ravaged by war and oppression.

For more information on the IJR and its’ work, please visit www.ijr.org.za.

The Fellowship Programme

The IJR has been hosting Fellows from countries in political transition in Africa since 2000. The programme was designed to attract and bring together scholars and practitioners in the field of transitional justice to compare, reflect, research and write about their experiences and lessons learned from activities, projects and programmes in their respective countries.

A rigorous selection process will ensure the targeting of mid-career professionals working with affected communities in the field of transitional justice in sub-Saharan Africa and who are in positions to influence policy processes and disseminate their Fellowship Programme experience through practical activities when they return home.  Fellows will be appointed based on their positions as opinion leaders and/or policy makers in their respective home countries and are required to convincingly show their ability to develop initiatives and interventions in their home countries to advance the transitional justice and reconciliation agenda. In addition, they must submit an institutional endorsement of their participation and commitment to implement at least one follow-up activity in-country.

The programmes’ purpose is to enhance participants’ skills and knowledge, with a particular focus on issues related to the development of tools and processes aimed at furthering reconciliation and social cohesion within the context of transitional justice.  Accordingly, the Fellowship Programme will engage with some of the key literature, themes, and mechanisms and will supplement teachings with practical experiences, interaction with local organisations working in related fields and guided visits to historically significant sites and institutions dealing with reconciliation and justice.

Elements of the Fellowship Programme  

The Fellowship Programme aims to effectively equip participants to address challenges specific to democratic transitions by exposing them to various transitional justice tools. It encompasses the following elements:

  • Interactive presentations and dialogue sessions on transitional justice by leading practitioners and academics in the field
  • Visits to relevant museums and memorials in Cape Town and Johannesburg
  • Joint project development for in-country follow-up transitional justice programming
  • A public debate on justice and reconciliation in Africa at IJR, featuring  presentations by the fellows
  • Diaspora dialogues (optional)
  • Ample time to engage IJR staff, its work and its in-house library.
  • Networking with relevant organisations, institutions and individuals.

It is hoped that participants will deepen their familiarity with the growing field of transitional justice theory and then apply this theoretical framework to the practical challenges currently facing their respective country context.

Fellows’ are strongly encouraged to document their reflections in the form of newspaper articles, policy briefs and/or working papers during and after the fellowship.

The IJR will cover all travel and accommodation costs for the duration of the fellowship and will provide a modest stipend for daily expenses.

To read the quarterly Fellows Alumni Network Newsletter as well as see a list of all IJR Fellows, visit http://www.ijr.org.za/justice-and-reconciliation-in-africa-fellowship.php. Elements of the Fellowship Programme

Application requirements  

To be considered eligible for this fellowship, you should meet the following criteria:

  • A post-graduate degree in a discipline broadly related to Transitional Justice
  • 4 to 5 years of relevant work experience in the realm of justice, reconciliation and/or social cohesion, social justice
  • Good written and spoken English. This will be necessary to participate in group discussions.

If you are interested in applying for admission to this programme, please submit to us the following documents in English:

  • A detailed resume or Curriculum Vitae of no more than 3 pages
  • The full contact details of 2 contactable references
  • A 1-2 page letter of motivation indicating why you wish to participate in this programme
  • A 1-2 page writing sample (you may include news or academic articles you have submitted or published)
  • A letter of institutional endorsement of your suitability to participate in the Fellowship Programme from your employer/affiliated institution.

The closing date for applications is the 31st of July 2016. Telephonic interviews will be conducted in the week commencing 8 August 2016 and successful candidates will be notified no later than by the 15th of August 2016.

NB Please email your complete application to Ms Anthea Flink on aflink@ijr.org.za with ‘Application to 2016 Fellowship Programme: your name’ in the email subject line.

Only complete applications will be considered and only shortlisted candidates will be notified of the status of their application.


PERSISTENT RACIAL PROBLEMS: POLITICAL, CULTURAL, AND RELIGIOUS RESPONSES

2016 CONFERENCE

A Call for Presentations on Persistent Racial Problems:
Political, Cultural, and Religious Responses

The 2016 Transatlantic Roundtable will convene in Trinidad and Tobago:

  • 60 years after the watershed election in that nation that consolidated black political empowerment and charted the course for the nation’s 1962 independence, and 50 years after the independence of its southern Caribbean neighbors Barbados and Guyana;
  • 60 years after the launch of a wave of independence in Africa that from Sudan’s independence in 1956 to Lesotho’s in 1966 included 30 sub-Saharan African countries;
  • 60 years after the successful conclusion of the Montogmery Bus Boycott which helped mobilize the nationwide mid-20thcentury Civil Rights Movment in the USA; and
  • 70 years since the post-World War II beginnings of mass migration from Africa, the Caribbean, and Asia to the UK.

Despite the gains in the decades since those historic markers, however, African-descended communities across the globe continue to suffer effects of political, economic and social inequities whose consequences include alarming levels of disease, unemployment, incarceration, and systemic violence. Our 2016 conference will examine public policy responses (including reparations discussions), expressions of cultural resistance, and faith-centered responses (including interfaith). We invite proposals outlining “best-practices” and practical dimensions as well as conceptual and applied scholarly papers that explore these or related themes.

Please submit 150-250 word abstracts by EXTENDED DEADLINE April 30, 2016 to Dr. R. Drew Smith (Pittsburgh Theological Seminary) rsmith@pts.edu or Dr. William Ackah  (Univ. of London) w.ackah@bbk.ac.uk .

August 3-5 Conference Registration Details

  • General rate: $250 dollars. includes lunch and light refreshments all 3 days.
  • Students/Unwaged/Local participants REDUCED rate: $125—Partial fee waivers available in some circumstances
  • Day rates: $ 100; or for Students/Unwaged/Local participants, $50

Conference AccommodationsHilton Trinidad and Conference Centre, Lady Young Road, Port of Spain Trinidad

Single occupancy: $129 (daily rate, plus tax and fees)
Double occupancy: $139 (daily rate, plus tax and fees)

Hotel booking link:
http://www.hilton.com/en/hi/groups/personalized/P/POSHIHH-AMEZIO-20160731/index.jhtml

Pre-Conference Activities, July 31-August 2

July 31-August 1, Emancipation Day Activities in Trinidad

July 31, Local worship opportunities in Port of Spain

August 2, Community Immersion Activities

Post Conference Activities

Tobago Excursion, beginning August 6

An  optional excursion to Tobago island will take place following the conference, where conference participants can take in Tobago’s distinctive culture and beautiful beaches.  There will be August 7 worship opportunities at local congregations, and opportunities for local community visits on August 6.  Persons planning to participate can arrange for a July 6th flight from Port of Spain, Trinidad to Tobago, and can return to Port of Spain at their own discretion for connecting flights to their ongoing destinations.


Regional Researcher – Southern Africa (Malawi, Namibia, Zambia and Zimbabwe)

Johannesburg, Permanent $66,580 USD per annum

Amnesty International

The Southern Africa Regional Office (SARO) of Amnesty International, is seeking a highly capable, experienced driven and team-oriented person to the role of Researcher covering Zimbabwe, Zambia, Malawi and Namibia, focussed on the critical human rights themes that are critical to delivery Amnesty International human rights strategy.

About the job:

As Amnesty International’s lead expert and regional specialist on Malawi, Namibia, Zambia, and Zimbabwe, you will lead on the development and implementation of research strategies to deliver human rights impact in relation to agreed human rights thematic priorities, providing research expertise, research management, political judgment and analytical, communication and representational skills. The Southern Africa Researcher works in close collaboration with a designated campaigners as well as the Research, Campaigns and Communication Assistant, Media Manager, Regional Content Manager and other key team members who constitute the core team in the SARO office.

About you:

You will have proven experience of undertaking investigative research on human rights or related issues as well as excellent writing skills. You need to have specialist knowledge and preferably first-hand experience of Zimbabwe, Zambia, Malawi and Namibia or key human rights themes  as captured in this profile and an in-depth understanding of the nature of key human rights concerns, as well as political, social, legal, economic, cultural, ethnic, racial and gender issues in them. You will also have expert Knowledge on using evidence to support campaign and advocacy positions.

About us:

Our aim is simple: an end to human rights abuses. Independent, international and influential, we campaign for justice, freedom and truth wherever they’re denied. Already our network of over three million members and supporters is making a difference in 150 countries. And whether we’re applying pressure through powerful research or direct lobbying, mass demonstrations or online campaigning, we’re all inspired by hope for a better world. One where human rights are respected and protected by everyone, everywhere.

Closing date: 17th July 2016 

To find out more and to apply online, please click the apply link.

APPLY HERE: https://careers.amnesty.org/vacancy/regional-researcher—southern-africa-malawi-namibia-zambia-and-zimbabwe-1550/1576/description/

 

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