Ismail Conteh has been teaching for the past year-and-a-half at a primary school in Sierra Leone’s capital Freetown – without receiving a single cent. He is one of hundreds of teachers recruited by schools to match the ever-growing number of pupils. Since the country’s government started to aim for universal primary education in 2003, classes have continuously become larger, with an average of about 50 pupils per teacher. Yet, the national department of education has employed only few additional teachers so far.

On average women constitute 18.8 percent of representatives in parliaments across the world according to the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU). This gender imbalance has been subject to much feminist criticism and many campaigns for change have been staged to address the status quo. The situation is however different in Rwanda.

Following the passing of Fatima Meer on 12 March, Ashwin Desai pays tribute to a figure who 'was nothing less than the spiritual leader of the strivings for social justice and equality' in post-1994 South Africa.

The Council for the Development of Social Science Research in Africa (CODESRIA) is pleased to announce its 2010 Child and Youth Studies Institute and invites interested scholars to send applications for consideration for selection as laureates and resource persons in the session scheduled for September 2010. The Institute is an offshoot of the Child and Youth Studies programme and is designed to strengthen analytic capacity on all questions affecting children and youth in Africa and elsewhere in the world.

Fatima Meer, one of South Africa’s most senior civil society scholar–activists, died on Friday 12 March. Patrick Bond and Orlean Naidoo pay tribute to the ‘always nimble’ community organiser, with her ability to ‘think and act locally, nationally and globally’, noting: ‘With this beautiful voice silenced, surely our responsibility now is to stand up and shout louder still’.

Faced with rising levels of unemployment in towns and cities across South Africa, and the growing trend of well-connected individuals continuing to enrich themselves at the expense of the poor, the Unemployed People's Movement issues a call to arms in the struggle for equal economic rights.

Fatima Meer, ‘a champion of human rights, an advocate of the poor and disenfranchised, an outstanding academic and author and a woman of impeccable integrity and principles', sadly passed away on 12 March 2010 after a stroke. Lubna Nadvi reflects on her legacy: ‘While there can only be one Fatima Meer, she ignited the imagination of so many others that she came into contact with to fight for a better world. That is perhaps her most enduring contribution.’

The United States has intensified its criticism of Eritrea, saying the Red Sea state systematically abuses human rights and is a destabilising influence in the Horn of Africa

This workshop explores the notion of ‘difference’ – as identity, opposition and even resemblance – in its multiple meanings and settings, and the ways in which it plays out in the social-political landscape. Moving away from the idea of difference as essential or natural, we explore how difference is constructed, manifested and obscured in socially uneven societies, particularly those fueled by neoliberal economic growth in the recent years.

Fourteen Egyptian human rights groups have expressed their full support of the statement issued by the UN High Commissioner of Human Rights which condemned the Egyptian security forces for killing up to 60 migrants on the Egyptian side of the borders with Israeli since mid 2007.

"Anyone concerned about the future of the planet," writes Professor Ted Benton of the University of Essex, "should read this book. The contributors give powerful evidence and argument to show that the carbon trading regimes favoured by the world's elites will not work -- and are, indeed, set to make things worse. But the message is not negative. There are alternatives, both effective and desirable."

The fourth SEASREP-Sephis training workshop on Alternative Research Methodologies will take place in the Philippines on 18-29 October 2010. The workshop aims to provide PhD students from the South an opportunity to strengthen the theoretical and methodological quality of their work under the guidance of experienced researchers from the South. Two weeks of lectures and discussions, knowledge building, and individual tutorials on research proposals will enable the participants to redesign their research project, improve their proposal and enhance their research capabilities.

The International Awards is accepting applications for the position of Project Manager (new position) and Programme Research and Admin Officer (new position), based at the International Award. To apply for either of these positions, please email CV along with a detailed statement, which outlines your suitability for the position, to [email][email protected] The deadline for applications for the Project Manager role is Thursday 11th March 2010 – by 3pm. Interviews will be taking place at the Award House on Monday 15th March. The deadline for applications for the Programme Research and Admin Officer is Monday 29thMarch 2010 by 12 noon with interviews being held at the Award House w/c 5th April.

The 4th International CBA conference (21-27th February) gathered representatives from the developing world to share knowledge and developments in community-based adaptation. The Community Based Adaptation Exchange (CBAX), an IIED and IDS project, collaborated with the AfricaAdapt Network to report from the conference via blogs, photos and videos. The coverage of the event has been hosted on the CBA-X platform.

Client: ActionAid
Subject: International Communications Advisors
Closing date: 18th March 2010

International Communications Advisor
£30K - £45K (depending on location and experience)
Various: 1 x Africa (Johannesburg/Nairobi); 1x Europe (London); 1 x Asia (Bangalore/Delhi/Bangkok); 1 negotiable (all must be located in an ActionAid existing office)

ActionAid’s programmes are changing the lives of millions of people and challenging the decisions which keep poor people locked in poverty. Join ActionAid’s International Communications team as an International Communications Advisor and help ensure our external communications and campaigns around the world continue to get the attention and support to make a difference.

Providing communications consultancy and capability development services to our international and national teams, you will deliver strategies and advice, and support the development, implementation and monitoring of plans that increases the quantity and quality of our communications outputs and thereby raise profile and funds.

You are a strategic thinker with high level technical capability in more than one core communications discipline (online/media/brand/publications). You have experience of producing, coordinating and implementing multi-media communication strategies and of working in an international environment.

In addition to your communications expertise you have a track record of capacity building through training, facilitating and coaching, knowledge and experience of organisational development and the gravitas to quickly develop effective working relationships at all levels in a multicultural environment.

To apply for the role of International Communications Advisor go to:

Closing date: 18th March 2010.

We are an equal opportunities employer. We warmly welcome applications from all sections of the community and aim to promote diversity. Reg. Charity No: 274467

Progress in sustaining high-level and job-creating growth in Africa will remain unsatisfactory unless bold country specific growth and employment strategies are adopted and implemented with the support of committed political leaders, according to a paper jointly prepared by the Africa Union Commission (AUC) and the UN Economic Commission for Africa (ECA).

African countries, known for their penchant to ratify international conventions and other instruments, are not doing well when it comes to providing periodical reports on progress made in implementing the Convention on the Elimination of All forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW), writes Arthur Okwemba.

Professor Mahmood Mamdani has been appointed to head Makerere University Institute of Social Research (MISR). This means the renowned scholar will be returning to the university after 17 years. Mamdani's five-year contract takes immediate effect. He will replace Dr. Nakanyike Musisi who left last year when her contract expired after 10 years of service.

The Center for Media Studies & Peace Building (CEMESP) has launched the 3rd edition of its account of threats to freedom of expression with calls for the government and authorities to recognize and support the inalienable rights of others to dissent.

The Institute for Human Rights and Development in Africa (IHRDA), with the support of the Open Society Initiative for West Africa (OSIWA), is operating a fund for individuals/groups litigating cases before the Africa Commission for Human and Peoples’ Rights. The fund covers travel, accommodation and other related expenses.