To commemorate the 25th anniversary of the recording of “We are the World”, United Support of Artists for Africa (USA for Africa), in collaboration with Trust Africa, Ethiopian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, African Humanitarian Action and the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA) will host a symposium entitled:
“Reflections on International Humanitarian Interventions in Africa” from 21-23 September 2010 at the United Nations Conference Center in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

The SAMOSA Festival is the premier biennial festival for cross cultural interaction in Kenya. The festival showcases the best in African, Eastern and Western cultures in the region, and is a celebration of race, cultural and ethnic differences. This year's theme is different is exciting. Art, music, dance and poetry are some of the best ways for humanity to embrace diversity.

The Open Society Institute works to build vibrant and tolerant democracies whose governments are accountable to their citizens. To achieve its mission, OSI seeks to shape public policies that assure greater fairness in political, legal, and economic systems and safeguard fundamental rights. The Open Society Initiative for West Africa (OSIWA) is pleased to announce an opening for the position of Executive Director.

Fahamu in partnership with Society for International Development (SID) and the Swedish International Development and Cooperation Agency (SIDA) wishes to announce the launch of the website, an open platform for the Kenyan people and friends of Kenya to interact and share information.

Everyone is invited to write articles to be posted on the blog as well as share your views on change in Kenya.

We are writing to invite you to participate in the publication of an African LGBTI Reader to be published by Pambazuka Press in June 2011. The African LGBTI Reader is being published in response to the increasing homophobia and transphobia across the continent which aims to silence the voices of African Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender and Intersex people.

The African LGBTI Reader [Working Title] seeks to make a timely intervention by bringing together a collection of writings and artistic works that engage with the struggle for LGBTI liberation and inform sexual orientation and gender variance. The book seeks to engage with primarily an African audience focusing on intersectionality and will include experiences from rural communities, post-conflict situations, religious experience as well that of immigration and displacement.

South African writer and academic Lewis Nkosi has died, writes Margaret von Klemperer. ‘He was a fearless critic, a clear analytical voice. He didn’t have to align himself with any group and spoke his mind on both literary and wider cultural issues.’ Nkosi is survived by his wife and two daughters.

The sorrow is long
But the sparrow must return
To the nest
He served well
And brightened our lives and our thoughts
I am sad still
And pray that we all find a dry eye
With which to remember our giants
As they fall
Go well Giant Friend
You touched our lives!

Academies (private schools) are reported to be growing in popularity as Kenyan middle class parents shun free primary school education, writes James Shikwati. 'Parents are subliminally communicating to policy makers that they prefer quality over the mere quest to scale up Millennium Developing Goals (MDG) enrolment statistics.'

A major distribution of school supplies got under way today across Zimbabwe in an effort by the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), the Government and international donors to ensure that every primary school student receives a textbook for all core subjects. All 5,575 primary schools in Zimbabwe will receive the supplies thanks to support from the Educational Transition Fund (ETF), a multi-donor funding mechanism launched a year ago to mobilize resources for the education sector with a view to improving the quality of schooling for the country’s children, UNICEF said in a press release.

The United Nations-sponsored radio station based in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), which has the largest Francophone audience in sub-Saharan Africa, is the winner of this year’s Free Media Pioneer award bestowed by the International Press Institute (IPI). Radio Okapi is a partnership between the UN mission in the DRC, known by its French acronym MONUSCO, and the Hirondelle Foundation, a Swiss non-governmental organization (NGO).

Fahamu seeks suitable candidates to fill the position of programme officer to coordinate the Reclaim Project. This project seeks to support the African LGBTI and sex worker movements, enabling LGBTI and sex worker activists to strategise, gain new knowledge and skills, enhance consciousness and renew inspiration and vision while enhancing their leadership and well-being.

CALL FOR APPLICATIONS FOR THE POSITION OF PROGRAMME OFFICER FOR FAHAMU

Fahamu has a vision of the world where people organise to emancipate themselves from all forms of oppression, recognise their social responsibilities, respect each other’s differences, and realise their full potential. Fahamu is looking for a qualified and passionate Programme Officer.

JOB DESCRIPTION

The Programme Officer will be responsible for the coordination of the Reclaim Project which seeks to support the African LGBTI and sex worker movements, enabling LGBTI and sex worker activists to strategize, gain new knowledge and skills, enhance consciousness, renew inspiration and vision while enhancing their leadership and well-being.

Duties and responsibilities:

• Lead Fahamu’s research and knowledge generation on LGBTI and sex worker issues.

• Develop strategic relations with the media continentally, support communication and outreach strategies for LGBTI and sex worker issues.

• Coordinate the design, development, reviewing and editing of movement building curricula and implement innovative learning methodologies.
• Research and conceptualize ways to further the innovative use of technologies to strengthen LGBTI and sex worker advocacy and human rights protection.
• Strengthen networks of LGBTI and sex worker organizations and activists across Africa with multiple stakeholders including the media and policy-makers through the provision of advocacy platforms at national and continental levels.
• Coordinate training of trainers, workshops and related events.
• Develop online platforms to provide on going support for the movement.
• Ensure timely and accurate planning, implementation, monitoring and reporting of project activities
• Assist in fundraising efforts to sustain the LGBTI and sex worker movements’ actions.
• Represent Fahamu at appropriate forums.

Person specifications:
• Undergraduate degree in a related field
• At least 6 years of experience in human rights and social justice
• Experience working with LGBTI and sex worker communities in Africa
• Experience in research and advocacy
• Experience in course and curriculum development
• Ability to work under pressure and to tight deadlines
• Willingness to travel extensively throughout Africa

The successful candidate must be:
- An excellent communicator
- Committed to the cause and values of human rights and social justice
- Demonstrate leadership and initiative
- A second AU language

Location: Nairobi, Kenya

A competitive salary and benefit package will be provided. The salary will be dependent on experience, educational background and salary history of the successful candidate.

If interested submit your application letter and curriculum vitae by email to [email][email protected] Please include “Reclaim Programme Officer Application” in the subject line.

Deadline for application is 24th September 2010. Applications received after this date will not be considered. Only shortlisted applicants will be contacted.

Fahamu is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

The Open Society Initiative for West Africa (OSIWA) is pleased to announce an opening for the position of Executive Director.

The Open Society Institute works to build vibrant and tolerant democracies whose governments are accountable to their citizens. To achieve its mission, OSI seeks to shape public policies that assure greater fairness in political, legal, and economic systems and safeguard fundamental rights. On a local level, OSI implements a range of initiatives to advance justice, education, public health, and independent media. At the same time, OSI builds alliances across borders and continents on issues such as corruption and freedom of information. OSI places a high priority on protecting and improving the lives of marginalized people and communities.

Investor and philanthropist George Soros in 1993 created OSI as a private operating and grantmaking foundation to support his foundations in Central and Eastern Europe and the former Soviet Union. Those foundations were established, starting in 1984, to help countries make the transition from communism. OSI has expanded the activities of the Soros foundations network to encompass the United States and more than 60 countries in Europe, Asia, Africa, and Latin America. Each Soros foundation relies on the expertise of boards composed of eminent citizens who determine individual agendas based on local priorities.
OSIWA is a private Foundation which supports, makes grants and advocates for initiatives that promote Open Society values in eight focus countries of West Africa (Benin, Cote d’Ivoire, Ghana, Guinea, Liberia, Niger, Nigeria, Senegal and Sierra Leone). OSIWA’s principal niche is to build capacity of West African government institutions and civil society organizations through support to catalytic and innovative initiatives.
OSIWA operates programs around four major strategic pillars, which are Governance; Law, Justice and Human Rights; Health and Development; and Information Technology, Communication & Media. OSIWA has identified the following 5 strategic objectives, which will drive its interventions in 2010-2011: strengthened democratic institutions, processes and structures; reduced levels of impunity; enhanced citizenship and public participation in decision-making; enhanced protection of groups exposed to discrimination; and improved equity and transparency in the management of resources.
The core of OSIWA’s interventions has been built around promoting, strengthening and working towards ensuring credibility in the governance process by promoting transparency and accountability. The Foundation, therefore, pursues efforts to identify avenues for building the capacity of both public institutions and civil society to ensure good governance. OSIWA’s intervention strategies are at three levels: sub-regional based initiatives built around the ECOWAS to cover the countries under its mandate, working mainly at the policy level; using multi-country interventions that cover initiatives across a number of countries, with emphasis on the need to share experiences and address issues of various levels of similarities; initiatives that are supported within a single country or local council, and generally meant to serve as pilot cases for duplication in other countries and local communities, within and outside the area. The sub-regional and multi-country foci have given OSIWA the leverage to widen its program reach to all the countries in the sub-region.
A. Key Duties and Performance Areas

OSIWA leadership and development
• Provide strategic direction and initiative in the development of the foundation, constantly identifying opportunities and threats to the foundation and articulating leadership objectives in relation to these opportunities and threats.
• Conceptualize open society issues and strategies in the Western African context, effectively relating these to African and global trends and dynamics, and interpreting the same in leadership to stakeholders.
• Continually position OSIWA as a leader in promoting open societies in Western Africa, exploiting and developing the foundation’s ability to combine programming approaches ranging from advocacy, convening, grantmaking, capacity building, and work through partnerships.

OSIWA management
• Manage all aspects of OSIWA, including its human and financial resources.
• Assume and responsibly exercise overall legal and executive authority for the offices, programs, positioning, relationships, risks, assets and liabilities of OSIWA in Dakar, Abuja, Monrovia, Freetown and any other site out of which the Board may in future direct the location of OSIWA’s operations or those of its affiliates.
• Manage and develop responsive relationships with the foundation’s stakeholders.
• Report to and closely work with the foundation’s Board of Directors, effectively carrying out the mandate and directions of the Board as developed from time to time.

OSIWA partnerships, networking and communications
• Define and maintain strategic relationships with West African regional and national civil society partners, governments, private sector entities, and other actors relevant for the construction and sustenance of open societies in the region.
• Provide intellectual and strategic leadership and support to the heads of OSIWA spin offs including West Africa Democracy Radio (WADR) and West Africa Civil Society Institute (WACSI).

OSIWA fundraising and resource development
• Effectively raise resources for the foundation from traditional as well as new donors.
• Maintain strong and mutually enriching relationships with donor organizations working on human rights-related issues in the region.

B. Key Outcomes

An effective and highly dynamic foundation, maintaining its ability to proactively model African leadership on the complex challenges of West African societies today, with respect to the existence and depth of the ideals, institutions, policies, laws, and practice of open society.

C. Person Specifications

• At least a Master’s degree in a relevant discipline, preferably from the social sciences/ humanities or management sciences.
• Senior management experience within a multilateral, and/or donor organization.
• Evidence of creative leadership over at least five years in the not-for-profit sector, including demonstrable exposure to complex questions of leadership in the West African regional context, and a track record of delivery.
• Close knowledge of, and evidence of contribution to, the major discourses in human rights development and public policy in West Africa, including the nexus between these and broader African and international issues.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills;
• Fluency in English and French;
• Role competence as a Representative, including the possession of superior communication skills; ability to effectively operate in relevant regional languages beyond English and French will be a distinct advantage.
• Independent functionality with office computer packages such as MS Word, Excel, Internet and E-mail required.
• Commitment to social justice, human rights, and development.
• Strong ability to inspire others and to work in a team.
• Demonstrated experience in managing inter and intra-organizational relationships in complex organizational environments;
• Capacity to work long hours towards multiple objectives in a pressured environment, and to organize own work as well as information.

Start Date: Immediately

Compensation: Commensurate with experience. Excellent benefits package.

To Apply

Please email resume and cover letter with salary requirements before October 15, 2010 to: [email][email protected] Include job code in subject line: ED-OSIWA

OR

Open Society Institute
Human Resources – Code ED-OSIWA
400 West 59th Street
New York, New York 10019
FAX: 212.548.4675

No phone calls, please. Only short-listed candidates will be contacted for an interview.

The Open Society Institute is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

MISSION
Fahamu (www.fahamu.org), Regional Office for West Africa, is seeking a regional pan-African campaign Coordinator, to work with Rural Women’s Associations in a campaign to promote family farming and food sovereignty.

The campaign is led by rural women's associations engaged in the practice and promotion of ecological agriculture. It is part of a global pan-African campaign conducted by a coalition of farmers’ organizations, farmers networks and African producers.

The rural women's associations, in a parallel and convergent way with the pan-African campaign, will conduct their own activities according to their needs and priorities. Having an independent yet related campaign, will give them voice and ensure they play a leading role in the pan-African campaign.

The campaign will initially cover West African countries, but shall gradually involve the other regions of the continent.

LOCATION
The Coordinator is based in Dakar, at Fahamu West Africa Office.

JOB DESCRIPTION
Fahamu seeks
- A Coordinator Project who will be responsible for :
• identification, mobilization, orientation, coordination of activities
• monitoring and evaluation of the campaign
• management and reporting of grants for the campaign
• fundraising for ongoing campaign activities

The Project Coordinator will:
• Work with rural women’s association networks, farmers platforms, producer organizations and potential partners, to develop campaign strategies and ensure their implementation.
• Coordinate, at the regional level, the activities undertaken in the different countries by local associations
• Conduct research to gather relevant information (studies, literature) to establish coherent and strong arguments on the issues and stakes of the campaign
• Develop relevant communication tools for the campaign and advocacy initiatives
• Document, guide, develop training and communication approaches for organizations and networks of women's organizations in order to sensitize and mobilize them
• Recruit and supervise consultants who will develop training modules to be delivered as part of the campaign
• Contribute to the elaboration of a joint advocacy programme for a regional campaign
• Conduct research partners
• Coordinate with other campaigns in order to promote family farming in Africa
• Organize / Participate in coordination meetings, workshops, advocacy and mobilization activities or the campaign
• Write reports of meetings, workshops and other activities
• Produce and coordinate the production of materials to publish in the Fahamu electronic newsletter Pambazuka News and on the site that will be created for the campaign.

QUALIFICATIONS
Fahamu seeks an expert in social sciences (Sociology of development, communication, etc.), fulfilling the following criteria:
• Good knowledge of issues related to agricultural development in Africa
• At least 5 years experience in strategic analysis, development and implementation and project management
• Bilingual in French and English
• Good skills in writing and oral communication
• Excellent organisational and time management skills
• Experience in fundraising
• Demonstrated commitment to social justice movements, including civil society networks
• Experience of working with African civil society, particularly women's organizations at grassroots level
• Computer skills (Microsoft Word, e-mail).
• Autonomy in work and ability to work independently
• Flexibility to travel

PROJECT DESCRIPTION
In recent years, African farmers' organizations have expressed their fears and have developed resistance to agricultural policies oriented towards the world market rather than for local or national needs. In a context marked by multifaceted crises, African governments are more and more involved in these policies inspired and financed by multinational corporations and international institutions. Among other examples is the Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (Alliance for Green Revolution in Africa - AGRA).

But according to organizations and African farmers' organizations platforms, agricultural crises Africa is confronting require other solutions. The alternatives they advocate are more focused on the preservation and promotion of family farming that feed, produce surpluses and give them capacities to be competitive in our markets. This approach relies on the development of a peasant endogenous proven expertise, whose relevance depends on understanding the environment and agricultural practices more respectful of the preservation of the ecosystem.

This approach, whose aim is to ensure food sovereignty, is not yet supported by an organized, coherent, popular and well informed mobilization.

Peasant organizations and platforms of farmer organizations in Africa are therefore engaged in a coalition to lead a pan-African campaign to promote family farming through endogenous farmers' experiences based on agro-ecological approaches, as a response to cyclical agriculture and food crises and as alternatives to industrial agriculture oriented towards international markets.

These organizations include, among others, the Network of Farmers Organizations and Producers of West Africa (Réseau des Organisations Paysannes et des Producteurs d’Afrique de l’Ouest - ROPPA), African Biodiversity Network, Daughters of Mumbi / Jubilee South Africa (Kenya), the Coalition for the Protection of African Genetic Heritage (Coalition pour la Protection du Patrimoine Génétique africain - COPAGEN), the Guinean Association for the Relief of Women's Burden (l’Association Guinéenne pour l’Allègement des Charges des Femmes) the Network to Support West African and Tchad Rural Women Citizenship (Réseau d'appui à la citoyenneté des Femmes Rurales d'Afrique de l'Ouest et du Tchad - RESACIFROAT).

As part of a pan-African campaign, associations of rural women will undertake, in parallel, a joint campaign. This will give space and capacities to raise their voices, to highlight issues specific to them, to develop the endogenous practices which they are holders and assert their leadership. Women play key roles in agricultural production, providing 70% of food production, managing nearly 100% of processing activities, being involved in the maintenance of family herd and investing also on markets sales activities. Thus agricultural and food crises have a greater impact on them and install them in situations of extreme insecurity.

Campaign Objectives:
- Document and promote best practices and associated knowledge, known and perpetuated for generations in Africa (agroecology, endogenous production of seeds, etc.), ensuring the continent's food sovereignty
- Change attitudes and perceptions in relation to imposed social development model ;
- To alert decision makers for awareness and better governance;
- Develop practices related to family farming

DURATION OF PROJECT:
3 years

SALARY: GBP 18,000.00 per year

Deadline for applications: September 15, 2010
To apply please submit the following to the address at the top of this document.
- A CV
- A letter indicating your interest in the position, and how your skills and experience fit the criteria required to carry out this role.
- Three references

Availability: Immediate

Send your application to [email][email protected].

regional office for West Africa is seeking a regional pan-African campaign coordinator to work with rural women’s associations in a campaign to promote family farming and food sovereignty. Deadline for applications extended to 15 September 2010.

To apply please submit a CV, a letter indicating your interest in the position, and how your skills and experience fit the criteria required to carry out this role, together with three references to [email][email protected].

Five years after a local charity opened a university to offer this bullet-scarred city’s youth an alternative to militia life and emigration, the first degrees have been awarded. "I want our people to know that education is the ladder of life and that every step of development that a community makes depends on the level of the community's education," one of the 27 new graduates, Qoole Qowden*, recounted.

In April 2008, the African Ministers of Health – in preparation for the Bamako Ministerial Forum on Research for Health – adopted the Algiers Declaration that expressed their commitment to reinforce national research systems for health. During the Bamako conference, health research leaders of western African countries, representatives of the West African Health Organization (WAHO) and international organisations discussed the status of research for health in West Africa.

For Pambazuka News readers in and around Namibia and South Africa, Windhoek's The Book Den and Cape Town's Blue Weaver now stock a range of titles:

The Book Den
PO Box 3469
52 A Wernhil Park
Mandume Ndemufayo Ave
Windhoek
NAMIBIA
Tel: +264 61 239 976
Fax: +264 61 234 248

Blue Weaver
Specialist Publishers Representatives
PO Box 30370
Tokai
SOUTH AFRICA 7966
Tel: +27 021 701 4477
Fax local: 0865 242 139
Fax international: +27 927 865 242 139
Email: [email][email protected]

Pambazuka News is taking an extended break for the next three weeks (from 16 August to 5 September). This is to allow staff to focus attention on the development of the new Pambazuka News website, which we hope to launch later this year. The next issue of the English edition of Pambazuka News will therefore be published on 9 September, while the French edition will appear on 6 September. We thank you for your patience.

Uganda hopes to become the region's leader in rice research with the opening later this year of a US$6 million centre at its crop research institute. The National Crop Resources Research Institute (NACRRI) received the money from Japan in September last year for the construction of a training and research centre for rice farmers and scientists, which is now nearing completion.