African Studies has certainly come a long way. The Institute of African Studies at the University of Ghana was established in 1962, one of a few on the African continent at the time. At its formal opening by Ghana’s first president, Kwame Nkrumah, in October 1963, he defined the mandate for Africanists in his the African Genius. In that speech he exhorted the distinguished guests and the fellowship of the Institute, inter alia, as follows:
“One essential function of this Institute must surely be to study the history, culture and institutions, languages and arts of Ghana and of Africa in new African centred ways … By the work of this Institute, we must re-assess and assert the glories and achievements of our African past and inspire our inspire our generation, and succeeding generations, with a vision of a better future.”
The year 1962 also saw the University of Ghana host the first International Congress of Pan Africanists. The roll call of the invited guests and participants is a reflection of the status of the discipline and the importance of the congress agenda. The congress was chaired by the late Onwuka Dike, the first African Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ibadan. It can be recalled that Dike noted two important strands for Africana scholars that retain salience half a century later. At the 1962 congress he remarked as follows:
“[…] But the African continent stands for […] particular ways of life, particular solutions to the problems of human survival … particular responses to the human dilemma. … African Studies will be the means to the achievement for the African of a greater self-respect, the means to the creation of a surer African personality in the face of the modern world”.
Dike’s foremost concern, however, was how scholars on the continent, primarily, but also those in the Diaspora, would mobilise themselves into a team to coordinate resources towards the study of the continent, and we might add, its Diasporas. He considered the task to be urgent. Sadly, the place of that meeting in helping to define the discipline of African Studies in Africa, especially, but also in her Diasporas, has largely been neglected. And so it is that the 2013 conference seeks to assess and also celebrate the journey travelled so far, including the academic achievements of some of our foremothers and forefathers, and in the process chart a course for the future.
The IAS is thus hosting an international conference that will bring together scholars, practitioners and activists to revisit the 1962 congress, reflect on the largely unfinished business that lies before us, and strategise on the way forward bringing our diverse strengths and experiences together for a new Africa.
For further enquiries please send an email to iasconference@ug.edu.gh.
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Peace and Security Fellowships for African Women, Make Every Woman Count
The Peace and Security Fellowships for African Women bring together African women at the early stages of their career to undertake a carefully designed training programme in Leadership, Development and Security at the African Leadership Centre (ALC), King’s College London. The Fellowship programme is designed to expose young professional African women to the complexities of conflict, security and development and equip them for careers in this field. The programme is conceived against a number of background factors.
First is the comparatively low level of women involved in peace and security issues especially as compared with those involved in human rights and development issues. Second is the need to assist African women to meet the demands of the Beijing process and more recently the UN Security Council Resolution 1325 that calls for the inclusion of women at all decision making levels in “all national regional and international institutions and mechanisms for the prevention, management and resolution of conflicts”.
This Fellowship programme is aimed at challenging the existing tendency that seems to reinforce the male dominant discourse on conflict and security related matters. It will also develop a network of African women scholars working in the field whilst linking them with the peace, security and development mechanisms of African regional institutions. They are funded by the Open Society Institute and the African Women’s Development Fund.
The Fellowships comprise of two six-month phases. During the first six-month phase at the ALC in Nairobi and King’s College London, the Fellows undertake full-time study of MA-level courses in leadership, security and development that are jointly developed by the ALC and King’s College London.
The Fellows also have mentoring sessions on leadership, development and peace and security, delivered by a global network of renowned experts on these issues. They will study and visit various global institutions working in the field of peace and security. This phase will end with a simulation seminar during which a mock conflict management situation will be practiced. The second phase will be an attachment of Fellows to an African regional organisation, research institution or centre of excellence to undertake practical work in the field of leadership, peace and security including peace and conflict management processes.
DEADLINE: April 19, 2013
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Job Opportunity: Head – Horn of Africa Programme, Saferworld
Saferworld is an international non-governmental organisation working to prevent and reduce violence conflict and promote cooperative approaches to security. We believe that everyone should be able to lead peaceful, fulfilling lives, free from insecurity and violent conflict. We work with governments, civil society and international organisations globally and in over 15 countries in Africa, Europe and Asia.
The Head of our Kenya and East Africa programme will be responsible for the design and delivery of all Saferworld’s work promoting conflict prevention and cooperative approaches to security and justice in the region. The current focus is on Kenya and Somalia with developing interests in Ethiopia and the sub-region. Candidates should be able to demonstrate significant experience of policy, management and advocacy gained at a senior level in an NGO, government or international organisation, together with proven knowledge of arms and conflict issues as they relate to the region.
Salary range: £40,500 – £50,000 gross per year plus benefits. For a job description please visit: http://www.saferworld.org.uk/about/jobs To apply please send full CV and covering letter detailing how you meet the selection criteria to Marie Aziz at recruitment@saferworld.org.uk (please use subject heading: Ref: HOH314).
DEADLINE: April 21, 2013
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Job Opportunity: Country Manager, South Sudan, Saferworld
Saferworld is an independent non-governmental organisation that works to prevent and reduce violent conflict and promote cooperative approaches to security. We work with civil society, governments and international organisations to encourage and support effective policies and practices through advocacy, research and policy development, and through supporting the actions of others.
We are looking for a Country Manager who will be responsible for the successful delivery of Saferworld’s existing programme of work on security and justice, small arms controls, and aid and conflict, in addition to developing and establishing new areas of engagement for Saferworld in South Sudan. The successful candidate will have extensive experience at a senior management level in South Sudan or a similar conflict-affected environment and experience of managing staff in a multi-cultural and multi-functional team. They must have good knowledge of South Sudan, excellent English communications skills and experience of managing multiple grants and programme components. For job description and further information please go to: http://www.saferworld.org.uk/about/jobs
Salary: A competitive INGO salary plus benefits
To apply please send CV and supporting letter outlining relevant experience to: Marie Aziz at recruitment@saferworld.org.uk (please use subject heading: SS CM).
DEADLINE: April 14, 2013
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The Arab Women Professionals Fellowship Program, The American University of Cairo
The Arab Women Professionals Fellowship Program (AWPP) aims at providing first-rate educational opportunities to motivated women who serve open society goals in order to increase women’s participation in policy making, governance and public life. The fellowship program is co-funded by The American University in Cairo and the Open Society Foundations Scholarship Programs.
The program, which is administered by The American University in Cairo, will concentrate on empowering and credentialing women who are ready to fill critical leadership positions in Egypt and the Middle East. Applicants should demonstrate the desire and skills to serve others and should be committed to finishing the graduate program in two years.
Eligibility
Female citizens of Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, Syria and Iraq who are normally resident of these countries
Qualified applicants to the following fields of study: community psychology, economics, economics in international development, English and comparative literature, gender and women’s studies in the Middle East and North Africa, international and comparative education, international human rights law, journalism and mass communication, Middle East studies, migration and refugee studies, political science, sociology-anthropology, Master of Laws (LLM), Master of Public Administration and Master of Public Policy
Bachelor’s degree from an accredited university
Minimum GPA of 3.2 or a rating of gayed geddan
A minimum of two years of relevant professional experience in community or public service
Satisfy AUC graduate admissions requirements, including submission of AUC graduate application, needed documents, and any needed additional test scores (GMAT for MBA applicants, GRE for Economics, Economics in International Development, and Journalism and Mass Communication applicants) as per AUC’s graduate admissions requirements.
Submit an International TOEFL iBT exam score or an IELTS exam score as per the cut-off scores for AUC graduate admissions.
Priority is given to applicants who demonstrate leadership skills.
Duration
Fellowships are awarded for two academic years and the intervening summer session.
Award
A waiver of tuition fees, student services and activities fee
Medical service and health insurance fees (for international graduate students)
A monthly stipend
Books, supplies and equipment allowance
Professional development funds
Transportation and living stipend for the Open Society Foundation’s annual pre-academic summer program at Bilgi University in Istanbul
Possible internship stipend
And, if needed for non-residents of Egypt or Cairo:
A monthly housing allowance,
Transportation to and from Cairo at the beginning and end of the program,
Transit allowance during travel to and from Cairo at the beginning and end of the program,
Responsibilities of Fellows
Fellows are required to attend an annual AWPP grantee conference and the Open Society Foundations pre-academic summer program at Bilgi University in Istanbul.
Fellows are expected to attend select workshops on leadership skills and undertake internships that will increase their leadership abilities.
DEADLINE: Varies (see official website).
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Job Opportunity: Economic Empowerment Policy and Technical Advisor, Regional Office, UN Women, Kenya
UN Women, grounded in the vision of equality enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations, works for the elimination of discrimination against women and girls; the empowerment of women; and the achievement of equality between women and men as partners and beneficiaries of development, human rights, humanitarian action and peace and security.
UN Women regional Office for the East and Horn and Southern Africa in Nairobi has identified a number of sectors and issues as priority for the next years. As per the ESARO regional strategy, the priority areas of work include expanding women’s leadership and participation; (ii) enhancing women’s economic empowerment; and (iii) gender mainstreaming of national planning and budgeting processes. In addition to the above, UN Women also actively participates and contributes to various UN inter-agency processes and collaborates with UN organizations around specific programme areas.
The scope of work of the Economic Empowerment Policy and Technical Advisor requires experience and in-depth understanding of gender equality and women’s political empowerment issues, to translate UN Women’s strategic plans in the area of economic empowerment into effective programmes and results. It also requires developing mutually reinforcing partnerships with relevant Government counterparts, UN organizations, and CSOs.
Under the supervision of the ESARO Regional Director, The Economic Empowerment Policy and Technical Advisor, based at the Regional Office in Nairobi, is expected to engage proactively on women’s leadership and economics issues with local and regional figures to help advance women’s economic empowerment in the region and deliver on key functions working in close coordination with the Economic Empowerment section in the Policy Division at UN Women Headquarters.
DEADLINE: April 12, 2013