Deadline: 30 March 2012
Call for applications
Journalist visit to the 19th African Union Summit
Lilongwe, Malawi, June 2012
The 19th African Union Summit will take place from 23rd-30th June 2012 in Lilongwe, Malawi with the theme of ‘Boosting Intra-‐Africa Trade’ and ‘2012 year of Shared Values’. Fahamu-‐ Networks for Social Justice (www.fahamu.org) through its Emerging Powers in Africa Initiative is pleased to announce a call for applications for its journalist visit to the Summit. Five successful applicants will be chosen to participate in a 4 day visit during the Summit. Media professionals in print, broadcast, radio and online fora from Africa, India, China and Brazil are encouraged to apply before the deadline of 30 March 2012 Introduction While the strategic and rhetorical importance of the African Union has been recognized in Africa and by its foreign partners, the media has had a potentially important role to play in reporting on developments at the African Union and the impact and role of the organisation. Indeed, civil society and African citizens have relied on media reports to be informed of developments within the organisation, while also playing a large role in developing perceptions around the work of the organisation, implications for individual African countries, and the activities and voices of those individual countries in debating challenges at the continental level. In addition, the AU has come to play a potentially important role in bilateral relations between the African continent and emerging actors such as India and China-‐ in particular through the India-‐Africa Forum Summit and Forum on China-‐Africa Coooperation (FOCAC).
Fahamu’s Emerging Powers in Africa Initiative is therefore pleased to announce a call for applications for its journalist visit to the African Union Summit. Five successful applicants will be chosen to participate in the visit that aims to:
-‐to stimulate interest and increase knowledge on substantive issues of the African Union, its work, structure and role in African politics and foreign policies, amongst journalists and in their subsequent media reporting
-‐increase reporting amongst foreign media of the role of the African Union in the development of political ties between Africa and their home countries
-‐to develop increased understanding amongst journalists of the work of Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) in engaging with the AU, as well as their perspectives and response to the outcomes of the Summit Call for Applications Media professionals in print, broadcast, radio and online fora from Africa, India, China and Brazil are encouraged to apply.
APPLICANTS SHOULD:
-‐Be fluent in English (articles can be written in native languages)
-‐Have a valid passport and comply with their country's visa criteria for travel to Malawi
The following costs will be covered:
-‐ Return ticket, economy class to Malawi,
-‐ Accommodation in Malawi for the duration of the official visit,
-‐ Visa costs,
-‐ Meals and transport for duration of the official visit.
REQUIREMENTS
All applications are to be submitted electronically and must include:
-‐ A current resume including professional work history
-‐ A letter of recommendation from relevant media organisation. If journalist applicants are not employed directly through a media organisation, please provide a letter of support from the organisation to which you are affiliated, including your relationship to the organisation
-‐ Provide 2 written samples of articles recently published by the applicant
-‐Please ensure that all documents are compressed and/or zipped in compressed files to ensure all applications can be uploaded.
-‐Applications must be submitted in English Applications close on 30 March 2012
EXPECTATIONS
A contract will be signed by participants stipulating the mutual expectations. Journalists will be expected to conduct interviews and develop articles for publication during and after the Summit on the themes of ‘Boosting Intra-Africa Trade’ and ‘Shared Values’.
Please direct all queries and applications to: Ms Hayley Herman, Programme Officer, Emerging Powers in Africa Initiative, Email: hayley@fahamu.org
CONTACT INFORMATION:
For inquiries: hayley@fahamu.org
For submissions: Ms Hayley Herman, Programme Officer, Emerging Powers in Africa Initiative, Email: hayley@fahamu.org
Website: http://fahamu.org