My Mind Words Paper:
africa literature

Deadline: 30 June 2012

It is with great pleasure that we announce the open call for submissions for this year's Aidoo-Snyder Book Prize.

The Aidoo-Snyder book prize is awarded by the Women’s Caucus of the African Studies Association for an outstanding book published by a woman that prioritizes African women’s experiences. Named in honor of Ama Ata Aidoo, the celebrated Ghanaian novelist and short-story writer, and Margaret Snyder the founding Director of UNIFEM, this $500 prize seeks to acknowledge the excellence of contemporary scholarship being produced by women about African women. In alternate years, the prize is awarded for the best scholarly book, or for the best creative work.

This year the we are considering the SOCIAL SCIENCES - any book published in 2009, 2010 and 2011 on African women can be nominated and submitted. Edited collections will be considered.

Final submission date is June 30th. The finalist will be notified on September 10, 2012 and included in the program for the African Studies Association Annual conference in November 2012.

If you have book(s) that fulfill the above criteria, please send a copy of each text to the 3 committee members:

Dr. Natasha Gordon-Chipembere
Aidoo-Snyder Book Prize Chair, 2012
4 Miami Court
Brooklyn, NY 11225

Dr. Maria Cattell
486 Walnut Hill Rd
Millersville, PA 17551

Dr. Claire Robertson
3502 William Court
Bloomington, IN 47401

CONTACT INFORMATION:

For queries: contact Natasha Gordon-Chipembere (Chair) at 347 971-1648 and indisunflower@yahoo.com

For submissions: see list of committee members above

Website: http://www.albany.edu/~dlafonde/Global/asawomenscaucus.htm

Deadline: 30 June 2012

This year, as part of Short Story Day, we will be running two competitions for African writers who can’t legally drive or vote. If you live in Africa, can hold a pen or type, and are under eighteen, this means YOU! Prizes are sponsored by Books Live, S.A. Partridge and Lauri Kubuitsile.

YA SHORT STORY COMPETITION FOR AGES 12-17

WHAT? Write a short story (500 words max!) about being Young in the City. The city can be anywhere in Africa, or make one up! Fiction is your tool!

The Judge: S.A. Partridge, South Africa’s award wining YA writer.

The Prizes: S.A. Partridge will be giving away a signed copy of each of her novels. Other prizes include R500 voucher from Exclusive Books, sponsored by Books Live. Winning entries will be published amongst some of Africa’s most talent writers.

UNDER 12’S SHORT STORY COMPETITION FOR AGES 11 AND BELOW

WHAT? Write a story (no longer than 1 A4 page!) with an inanimate object as the main character: a rock, a toothbrush, your granny’s handbag. Give your character a voice, and tell us their story. “Yuck, she’s been eating garlic again!”

The Judge: Lauri Kubuitsile, Botswana’s award winning YA and children’s writer.

The Prizes: A R250 voucher from Exclusive Books, sponsored by Books Live, and one of Lauri’s books. Winning entries may be published.

COMPETITION GUIDELINES:

1. Entrants must be living in South Africa and meet age requirements state above.

2. Email your entry to kids@shortstorydayafrica.org with the subject line YA Competition / UNDER 12’S OR post it to SSDA Head Quarters, YA Competition, 12 Bristol Road, South Africa, 7925. Include your name, age, telephone number, an email address (if you have) and postal
address in your entry.

3. Deadline: 30 June 2012. Postal entries postmarked by 30 June 2012 are eligible.

4. Stories must be your own original work, and meet the length requirements.

5. By submitting a story the young authors grant non-exclusive print and digital rights to Short Story Day Africa and Books Live.

6. Winners will be notified by 31 July 2012, though should we be flooded by stories, we reserve the right to delay the announcements.

7. We will not share information or use it for any other purpose than to inform you should you win.

CONTACT INFORMATION:

For queries/ submissions: kids@shortstorydayafrica.org

Website: http://shortstorydayafrica.org

Deadline: 18 June 2012

The second annual Short Story Day Africa is on the 20th of June and is rolling out internationally.

So Black Letter Media and Poetry Potion are teaming up to participate by getting YOU reading and writing! Black Letter Media is passionate about getting you to read work by independent publishers. Poetry Potion is passionate about the growth and development of poetry. And it tune with keeping things short, here's how you can participate in this challenge:

A SHORT STORY AND A SHORT POEM

We want to publish a collection of short stories and short poems on the 20th of June, in ebook format and print on demand. We're accepting stories from all over Africa. You have a choice, you can write a poem or a story or both.

CRITERIA

• Short Story length - maximum 2000 words (min 1000 words)
• Poem length - 30 lines or less.
• Please include a short biography (no more than 200 words), a photograph of yourself, and any links to your author website/books pages or blog, or your publishers site. Links will be authenticated, and any links to other sites will mean your work will not appear.
• Submit in a word document.

CONTACT INFORMATION:

For queries/ submissions: story@blackletterm.com

Website: http://www.poetrypotion.com/, /">http://www.blackletterm.com

Deadline: 20 June 2012

Short Story Day Africa aims to highlight the outstanding short fiction African writers have to offer the world. The project encourages everyone of all ages and all genders to do something in honour of the short story.

COMPETITION GUIDELINES

1. Any African citizen, or person who is part of the African diaspora, as well as persons residing permenantly (granted permenant residence) in an African country, may enter. Entries will be read blind (names removed).

2. Email your entry to info@shortstorydayafrica.org with the subject line Caine Prize Competition. Include your name, telephone number, an email address where we can contact you and postal address in your entry. Also include the name of one of Jamal Mahjoub’s novels.

3. The deadline for entries is Wedensday 20 June 2012.

4. Stories must be your own original work, and no longer than 500 words in length.

5. By submitting a story the author attests that it is their own original work and grant non-exclusive print and digital rights to Short Story Day Africa, The Caine Prize for African writing, and Books Live for publicity purposes.

6. Winners will be notified by 31 July 2012, though should we be flooded by stories, we reserve the right to delay the announcements.

7. We will not share information. We will, however, add you to Short Story Day Africa mailing list for the express purpose of informing you of next years event.

8. Stories are limited to the English language.

9. The judges decision is final.

10. To qualify for entry, you must follow @shortstoryAFR, @Caine Prize, @BooksLiveSA and @HenriettaRI on Twitter.

CONTACT INFORMATION:

For queries/ submissions: info@shortstorydayafrica.org

Website: http://shortstorydayafrica.org

Deadline: 15 July 2012

The work of writers of African heritage, whether they hail from the “old” or the “new” diaspora, has been known for its exceptional vigour and originality, and has unsurprisingly attracted the attention of scholars from all over the world. In recent years, however, criticism focusing on the production of artists from the old diaspora, either African American or Caribbean, has often examined these authors’ displaced identity in the Americas or in Europe at the expense of their African heritage and their perception of it. Even analyses of contemporary literary texts centring on the slave trade have more readily discussed writers’ representation of history than their engagement with Africa per se – the latter topic having seemingly lost the prominence that it once enjoyed in scholarly circles, as writers themselves appear to have less frequently chosen to place the continent of their ancestors at the centre of their fiction and poetry. Yet, in many cases, this African dimension still seems to play a significant role in the overall assessment and understanding of their works, and is therefore worthy of renewed critical attention.

African cultures and settings cannot be said to suffer comparable neglect in recent discussions of works by writers of the new diaspora, a category that broadly encompasses those who were born on the continent but left it either as children or as young adults. However, perhaps because these diasporic artists provide the bulk of the canon of contemporary African literatures, their perception of the continent of their birth has rarely been assessed through the lens of their geographical position, many critics preferring instead to emphasize globalizing trends or, conversely, to position diasporic artists, such as third-generation Nigerian writers, as the unproblematic heirs to the strategies of historical and cultural retrieval implemented by older Africa-based authors. Even though recent efforts have been made to circumscribe the specificity of the new diaspora’s artistic perceptions of Africa, the question still remains under-explored.

Taking our cue from Countee Cullen’s famous line – included in his 1925 poem “Heritage” – we would like to invite participants in this conference to address the diverse critical blind spots surrounding the representation of, and engagement with, Africa in the works of contemporary writers and artists from the old and the new diasporas. The questions and topics that could be addressed (either through close readings or theoretical contributions) include, but are not limited to:

- How is Africa represented in the diasporic imagination? Is it usually metaphorized or romanticized? Or, on the contrary, does it tend to be depicted in a realistic mode? Is the continent viewed as being trapped in a past marked by slavery and exploitation, or as being marred by a present of poverty and corruption? Do some diasporic artists unwillingly contribute to the perpetuation of stereotypes about Africa as a monolithic whole?

- Is Africa still relevant to the artists of the old diaspora? Does it still shape their creative minds? Is “African diaspora” a pertinent discursive category when discussing Caribbean or African American artists?

- Conversely, is the concept of “African diaspora” established enough to provide a valid critical framework in the case of the new diaspora? Do diasporic artists from North, South, East and West Africa have a common external vantage point from which to appraise the country or continent of their birth? Or, on the contrary, does their geographical location seal their common estrangement from Africa?

- What are the differences or parallels in the representations of Africa found in the works of artists of the old and new diasporas on the one hand, and those who are based in Africa on the other?

- What is the role played by gender, class, generation and/or race in the way diasporic writers perceive the culture and the land of their ancestors?

- Are categories that include references to the African continent rather empowering or limiting? How so?

- What is the role played by academics, journalists, facilitators and publishers in the dissemination of the artistic production of the old and new diasporas? To what extent do these actors encourage strategies of (self-)exoticization? Do they favour selective canonization?

- How do new technologies, particularly the internet, shape the dialogue between artists of the old and new diasporas, and those residing in Africa? Are distinctions between writers based on the continent and overseas still relevant in the twenty-first century?

- What, if anything, does Africa expect from its diasporic writers? Are these artists entitled to criticize the continent they originate from, or are they expected to treat it with special consideration? In other words, do diasporic artists have any particular ethical duty?

We welcome proposals within the field of literature, but also film, music and visual arts. Abstracts for 20-minute papers should be about 200 words, and panel descriptions for 90-minute sessions about 700 words (overall description of the panel in about 100 words, plus three individual abstracts of about 200 words). Non-Anglophone and comparative approaches are most welcome, but all papers will be delivered in English.

Proposals should be sent by 15 July 2012 to africatomenow@gmail.com. A response will reach you by 15 August 2012.

CONTACT INFORMATION:

For queries/ submissions: africatomenow@gmail.com

Website: http://www.l3.ulg.ac.be/africatomenow/

Deadline: 30 June 2012

ATWS wishes to announce the formal request for submissions of books for the Cecil B. Currey Book Award for 2011-2012. This award is named in honor of one of the foremost experts on the war in Vietnam. Topics on any part of the Third World are acceptable. ATWS members are encouraged to have their works published and submit them for the book award. The award will not necessarily be given out each year, but only when the committee determines that a book of sufficient merit is submitted. Publications must be 2011 through May 31, 2012.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Only monographs and studies will be considered. Please do not submit anthologies or edited works.
• Should an individual wish to be considered s/he must send a letter of application to the committee chair, Dr. Paul J. Magnarella, Director, Peace Studies program, Warren-Wilson College, P.O. Box 9000, Asheville, NC 28815 E-mail: pmagnarella@warren-wilson.edu. Also, in order to enter the competition authors must submit a copy of their book to EACH member of the committee-please mail your books or have publisher send copies.

• Dr. Paul Magnarella, Director, Peace Studies program, Warren-Wilson College,P.O. Box 9000, Asheville, NC 28815 E-mail: pmagnarella@warren-wilson.edu
• Dr. William P. Head, Chief Center Historian, USAF Warner Robins ALC, Robins AFB, GA 31088. email;William@williamhead.com or William.head@robins.af.mil
• Dr. Philip Aka, Department of History and Political Science, Chicago State University, 9501 S. King Drive, Chicago, IL, 60628-1598. E-mail: Philip_aka@hotmail.com
• Dr. Paul A. Rodell,Department of History, P.O. Box 8054, Georgia Southern University, Statesboro, Georgia 30460. email:rodell@georgiasouthern.edu

Membership is open to any person interested in Third World Studies. Membership benefits include an annual subscription to Journal of Third World Studies (JTWS), the ATWS Newsletter, and an invitation to participate in the annual meeting at a reduced registration rate.

MEMBERSHIP FEE LEVELS

* $30 for student membership
* $30 for third world resident
* $30 for retiree membership
* $60 for regular membership
* $90 for husband & wife membership
* $75 for sustainer membership
* $100 for patron membership
* $150 for third world resident life membership
* $400 for individual life membership
* $600 for husband & wife life membership
* $1000 for institutional membership

We will include your name in our membership directory once we receive your membership dues. Please make checks payable to: Association of Third World studies, Inc., and send to:

Dr. Doyin Coker-Kolo
Treasurer, ATWS
School of Education,
P.O. Box 1002,
Millersville University,
Millersville, PA 17551

CONTACT INFORMATION:

For queries: pmagnarella@warren-wilson.edu

For submissions: see list of committee members above

Website: http://apps.gsw.edu/atws

Deadline: 30 June 2012

The Toyin Falola Africa Book Award, in honor of Toyin Falola, one of Africa’s outstanding historians and intellectuals, will be given for the best book on Africa published in 2011-2012. Book submissions must be published 2011 through June 30, 2012. The deadline for submission of entries is June 30, 2012. The award will not automatically be given each year, but only whenever the committee decides that a book of considerable merit has been submitted. ATWS members are encouraged to enter their publications into the competition. The recipient will receive a plaque, citation, and a $500 cash award.

QUALIFICATIONS ARE:

• Only monographs and studies will be considered. Please do not submit anthologies or edited works.
• An individual who wishes to be considered must send a letter of application to the committee chair, Dr. Abdul Karim Bangura, The African Institution, 7532 Eighth Street, Washington, D.C. 20012 E-mail: theafricaninstitution@verizon.net
• Publishers are permitted to nominate an author’s book as long as the above rules are observed.
• An individual seeking the award is responsible for sending a copy of his/her book to each member of the committee.

Dr. Abdul Karim Bangura, committee chair, The African Institution, 7532 Eighth Street, Washington, D.C. 20012. E-mail: theafricaninstitution@verizon.net

Dr. James T. Gire, Department of Psychology, Virginia Military Institute, Lexington, VA 24450. E-mail: GireJT@vmi.edu

Dr. Jose Arimateia da Cruz, Department of Criminal Justice, Social and Political Science, Armstrong Atlantic State University, Savannah, GA 31419-1997. E-mail: dacruzjo@mail.armstrong.edu

Dr. Ishmael Munene, Center for Education Excellence, Northern Arizona University, Flagg Staff, AZ 86011-5774. E-mail: Munene@nau.edu

ATWS MEMBERSHIP

Membership is open to any person interested in Third World Studies. Membership benefits include an annual subscription to Journal of Third World Studies (JTWS), the ATWS Newsletter, and an invitation to participate in the annual meeting at a reduced registration rate.

MEMBERSHIP FEE LEVELS

* $30 for student membership
* $30 for third world resident
* $30 for retiree membership
* $60 for regular membership
* $90 for husband & wife membership
* $75 for sustainer membership
* $100 for patron membership
* $150 for third world resident life membership
* $400 for individual life membership
* $600 for husband & wife life membership
* $1000 for institutional membership

We will include your name in our membership directory once we receive your membership dues. Please make checks payable to: Association of Third World studies, Inc., and send to:

Dr. Doyin Coker-Kolo
Treasurer, ATWS
School of Education,
P.O. Box 1002,
Millersville University,
Millersville, PA 17551

CONTACT INFORMATION:

For queries: bangura@american.edu

For submissions: see the list of committee members above

Website: http://apps.gsw.edu/atws

Deadline: 11 June 2012

In the last two decades, there has been an exponential growth in the visibility of a new generation of women visual artists on or from the continent of Africa as well as a diversification not only in the medium but also in the breadth and complexity of the themes and issues with which they engage, which include the body, sexuality as well as questions of history, culture, patriarchy and post-colonialism. The aim of the volume is to look at women artists’ production across the over 50 countries that make up the continent of Africa as well as at African women artists working in Europe, South and North America and the Caribbean. The African diaspora is diverse stretching across the Atlantic to the Caribbean, the Americas and across Europe.

Women artists from Africa, and of African descent, have been producing work which questions and challenges both their contemporary situation and their complex histories. This special volume will publish work which addresses these concerns and focuses on the cultural production of women artists who define themselves as black/African/Afro-Caribbean/Afro-American across the globe as well as first/second/third/and even fourth generations of immigrants in different countries. Contributions about contemporary art produced by women which reflect on the effects of the migration of African people around the world – during and after slavery – during and after Colonialism –pre- and post-1960s Independence – will be welcomed.

Critical essays as well as in-depth interviews offering a pan- or trans-African perspective on contemporary women artists (visual arts only, post-1970) will be welcomed from women artists or writers (art historians, critics and curators). We invite 300-400 words abstract by the 11th of June 2012 (Final contributions by Oct 15th 2012). For more information about how to contribute please email Bisi Silva labisi22@gmail.com

ABOUT N.PARADOXA: INTERNATIONAL FEMINIST ART JOURNAL

Founded in 1998, n.paradoxa publishes scholarly and critical articles written by women critics, art historians and artists on the work of contemporary women artists post-1970 (visual arts only) working anywhere in the world. Each thematic volume in print contains artists and authors from more than 10 countries in the world and explores their work in relation to feminist theory.

n.paradoxa is published bi-annually (January and July) in print as volume numbers (ISSN: 1461-0424). n.paradoxa is now available for sale in print and electronic forms by subscription. KT press is the publisher of n.paradoxa and operates as a not-for-profit publishing company whose aim is to promote understanding of women artists and their work.

CONTACT INFORMATION:

For inquiries/ submissions: labisi22@gmail.com

Website: http://www.ktpress.co.uk/

Deadline: 10 June 2012

This innovation challenge focuses on journalism and the news media. We are looking for disruptive digital ideas for improving the way that news is collected and disseminated. By digital ideas, we mean tools or strategies that use the Internet, mobile platforms, data driven journalism, computer assisted reporting, digitally augmented reality, or other electronic means to improve the relevance and impact of news media.

Your ideas should be focused on providing pragmatic solutions to realworld challenges facing Africa’s media. Your innovation should fall into any of four broad categories: news gathering; story telling; audience engagement; or the business of news. Within these categories, we are specifically interested in ideas that seek to achieve one or more of the following goals:

Platforms

Strengthen existing media platforms, or harness new digital platforms for engaging audiences and transmitting news other journalistic content.

Delivery

Improve the way news reaches audiences, from traditional circulation / airtime management to newer disruptive ‘cross platform’ channels.

Context

Amplify the relevance and usefulness of news by improving the immediacy, depth and accuracy of journalistic content.

Reach

Enhance the impact and ‘shelf life’ of news by extending its influence and intrinsic value for both audiences and content services.

Targeting

Deepen media’s understanding of its audiences and markets by improving user analytics, audience profiling and market segmentation.

Sustainablity

Boost the media’s resource base by diversifying business models, developing new revenue streams or improving operational efficiencies.

WHAT WE FUND

We fund news experiments and digital media startups. This means that we will fund the costs associated with developing, testing and scaling a new digital news venture or product. We will not fund conferences, training workshops, nor the salary or operational costs for existing organisations, nor university administration fees, nor other routine business costs.

FINALISTS WORKSHOP

Finalists will be invited to the OpenNews Camp in Zanzibar, Tanzania, in August for one-on-one workshop sessions with business development mentors and other industry experts. Finalists will use these sessions to refine and strengthen their proposals, as well as develop implementation plans and budgets ahead of final judging.

SUPPORTING THE WINNERS

Winners will receive cash grants of between $12,000 and $100,000, plus additional business development support, technical mentorship, and marketing support. Winners may also be offered opportunities to pilot their projects in AMI member newsrooms and showcase the results at international conferences or to venture capital funds.

WHAT IS THE PROCESS FOR APPLYING?

The only place you can apply is here on the ANIC website. We will not accept faxes, posted applications, hand deliveries or other channels. All you need to do is answer the 7 questions on the form. Brevity counts. Any supporting media, videos, links to prototypes, etc, can be included with the post, but are not required. The deadline for submissions is July 10 (midnight – Central African Time). No late submissions will be accepted. We will contact semi-finalists for additional information, including a detailed budget, by early August.

WHO CAN ENTER?

ANIC is an open and worldwide contest. Anyone, anywhere can therefore apply – as long as they have an African partner to help with implementation. There is no other age or geographic restriction. The competition is open to nonprofits, for-profits or individuals of any age, anywhere in the world. Awards to minors will be made to an intermediary designated by ANIC.

WHAT IS THE DEADLINE FOR ENTRY?

July 10, 2012 at midnight (Central African Time). You might want to use something like World Time Buddy to make sure that you get the time right.

WHEN WILL I RECEIVE A RESPONSE?

The dates below are guidelines. Their intention is to give you an idea of the timeframe of the process.

• May 10, 2012: Contest opens
• July 10, 2012: Application deadline
• August 10, 2012: Finalists are at the OpenNews Camp, in Zanzibar
• September 10, 2012: Finalists submit their final proposals and budget plans
• November 10, 2012: Winners are announced at the African Media Leaders Forum in Ivory Coast

The total purse for cash prizes is $1 million.

The African News Innovation Challenge is designed to find and nurture ideas that have the potential to transform journalism and the media industry.

Winners will therefore receive more than just cash grants. They will also receive a combination of technical advice and business mentorship from industry experts, as well as support for marketing their innovations to a wider African and world audience.

Once winners have produced working prototypes and proof-of-concept for their ideas, they will be given the opportunity to showcase their innovations to venture capitalist funds for possible additional investment.

The Basics:

Winners will receive cash grants of between $12,500 and $100,000, depending on the potential impact and the operational requirements of the project. Each project’s operational requirements will be spelled out in a detailed budget that shortlisted finalists will be required to file in the 2nd phase of judging. Finalists will attend a workshop, in Zanzibar, to help them develop this budget and a related business plan.

Support Services:

The World Association of Newspapers & News Producers (WAN-IFRA) will provide winners with one-on-one mentorship and technical advice from some of the world’s leading media strategists. WAN-IFRA will also host an intensive business development workshop for finalists, to help them refine and strengthen their proposals.

Venture Capital:

The ANIC grants that winners receive will function as seed capital for innovators to kickstart their projects. Once they have produced working prototypes with some degree of proof-of-concept, winners will be given the opportunity to pitch their projects to the Media Development Loan Fund’s new digital venture fund for consideration for possible additional investment.

CONTACT INFORMATION:

For enquiries: queries@africannewschallenge.org

For submissions: submit your entries here

Website: http://africannewschallenge.org

Deadline: 31 July 2012

The window is open for entries! Ugreen Foundation is glad to announce the second edition of the Creative Wings Short Story contest, titled the Creative Wings Short Story Prize 2012.

The ‘Creative Wings Short Story Prize’ was endowed in 2011, by the Executive Director of Ugreen Foundation, Obinna Udenwe, as his contribution towards encouraging young African writers, in line with one of the visions of Ugreen Foundation which is to encourage citizens participation in knowledge building.

In 2012, the Prize will accept entries from all African writers residing anywhere in the world and will annually give books as Prizes. Writers between the ages of 0 – 40 years old and of African origin and writers whose one parent is from Africa are encouraged to apply.

In the words of Obinna Udenwe as regards the 2012 edition of the contest, he said: ‘My dream is to continuously encourage the growth of literature and arts in Africa. I have continued as a writer and an activist to engage in intellectual pursuit and to work with young people like myself. I have discovered that in this world of ever increasing phobia for uncertainties, increase in vices and delinquencies, unprecedented rise to its peak the level of crimes, terrorism, inhumanity and gross devaluation of traditions and societal negligence, we must continue, as lovers of arts and literature to use our talents, gifts and resources as means of entrenching an overhaul change in our society. There is no better way of doing this than through arts and literature. Our Creativity Class program that annually trains twenty young people on writing and oratory has proved to me that we have talents in Africa and that a lot needs to be done to encourage them – but only few people are ready to contribute… One of the winners of the first edition of this Prize, Mr. Vincent Bura-Bari Nwilo attended our Creativity Class training as a facilitator. It was wonderful meeting someone that this Prize has given publicity, encouragement and voice. His presence in the training encouraged the twenty students, it formed alliances and friendships and this is my quest – love, synergy and commitment. In Ugreen Foundation, we believe that this second edition of the Creative Wings Short Story Prize will bring in wonderful stories that delves into the nooks and crannies of African society and the world at large, helping us learn more about our environment and the people in it.’

2012 PRIZE

1. Ugreen Foundation will give out twenty (20) books for the 2012 edition of the contest. First Prize winner will receive a total of fifteen (15) books and the second Prize winner, will receive five (5) books. The books will be couriered to the winners anywhere they are in the world.

2. If the winner(s) resides in Nigeria, he gets an opportunity to attend in March, 2013, as special guest, the ‘Sen. Chris. Nwankwo Youth Creativity Class,’ a program of Ugreen Foundation that trains and empowers twenty young people economically, and intellectually in the field of writing and oratory.

Ugreen Foundation will cover transportation costs (round trip), accommodation for five nights and meals, including N30, 000 honorarium, (including tours round the state and evenings of cocktails).

If the winner(s) resides outside Nigeria and wants to attend, Ugreen Foundation will provide all of the above mentioned, excluding cost of air-travel into and out of Nigeria. The program holds annually in Abakaliki, the Ebonyi state capital.

ENTRY RULES AND GUIDELINES

1. Entry is free.

2. Entries must not be more than 600 words long.

3. Entrant must not be more than 40 years old.

4. Entrant must be a writer of African origin living anywhere in the world. (Once an entrant is shortlisted, Ugreen Foundation will need evidence identifying the entrant as African and evidence showing date of birth).

5. Only one submission per entrant is permitted.6. Stories must be original work of the entrant and previously published works will not be accepted for the Prize.

7. Only online submissions are acceptable.

8.Entries should be emailed to creativewingscontest2012@gmail.com. Paste story on the body of the e-mail. Use ‘Creative Wings Contest’ in the subject line. Entries with attachments will be disqualified.

9. The email must contain the entrant’s name, the title of story, and the entrant’s physical address, a brief bio of NOT more than 50 words, Date of Birth, and contact phone number.10. Simultaneous submissions are NOT acceptable.11. Writers are not restricted to any theme.

12. Entries must be in English ONLY.

13. Previous winners are eligible but must apply with a different story.

14. Shortlisted entrant must agree to provide us with his/her photograph and agree to allow Ugreen Foundation and all the Prize publicists use the photograph for publicity.

15. Entries are open from June 1st to 12 Midnight July 31st.

CONTACT INFORMATION:

For queries/ submissions: creativewingscontest2012@gmail.com

Website: http://www.ugreenfoundation.org

Deadline: 20 July 2012

In not more than 1500, words write on any of the three:

(1) The Predatory State: Its Origins and Implications for Economic Growth.

(2) Statism (State Interventionism) or Free Markets: An essential ingredient in Africa’s Economic growth? (3). Protectionism or Trade: Alternatives for Africa's economic growth.

The essay competition is open to all students in African tertiary institutions. Background materials for the essay can be accessed here OR requested from Adedayo at adedayo.thomas@gmail.com and copy Ngozi atnnwozor@yahoo.com

Your essay should be in MS Word format with your names and other details, sent on or before July 20, 2012 to adedayo.thomas@gmail.comand copy nnwozor@yahoo.com. Announcement of Winners: Aug 2, 2012. All entries will get a free CD “Ideas for a Free Society” containing 100 textbooks on various field of studies.

This essay competition is a project of AfricanLiberty.org and Network for a Free Society in collaboration with Campus Life-The Nation Newspaper. Nigeria

PRIZES:

-1st Prize = $1000 AND Scholarship to 2012 Students and Young Professional African Liberty Academy at the Catholic University in Quelimane, Mozambique from August 8- 11, 2012

-2nd Prize=$700 AND Scholarship to 2012 Students and Young Professional African Liberty Academy at the Catholic University in Quelimane, Mozambiquef rom August 8- 11, 2012

-3rd Prize=$500 AND Scholarship to 2012 Students and Young Professional African Liberty Academy at the Catholic University in Quelimane, Mozambique from August 8- 11, 2012

-4th Prize =$300 AND Scholarship to 2012 Students and Young Professional African Liberty Academy at the Catholic University in Quelimane, Mozambique from August 8- 11, 2012

-5th Prize=$100

-8 Consolation Prizes of $50 each

This competition is organised in conjunction with The Nation Newspapers.

CONTACT INFORMATION:

For queries/ submissions: adedayo.thomas@gmail.comand copy nnwozor@yahoo.com

Website: http://www.africanliberty.org/

Deadline: 31 July 2012

There is a saying that poverty breeds innovation. Perhaps this could also be said of injustice. As human beings, our will to survive against all odds is one of our most distinct characteristics. For people who face oppression, discrimination, and limited visibility, staying merely alive is an everyday achievement and many people manage to go even further, finding astonishing ways to rise above these limitations. Because people are silenced does not mean they are mute, because they are ignored does not mean they are inactive/dormant or unaccomplished.

The fifth issue of Q-zine is proud to showcase LGBTI and queer African innovators and creators who are making their visions a reality. We are looking for young LGBTI and queer people in Africa and the Diaspora who are moving, shaking, setting trends and making a difference in their lives and in their communities. Young LGBTI and queer Africans, both on the continent and in the Diaspora, who are artists, writers, bloggers, poets, singers, dancers, musicians, scientists, entrepreneurs, designers, photographers, film makers, journalists, teachers, activists, or innovators in any other creative field are all welcome to the celebration.

Please share your story with us. We are excited to profile our young leaders in multiple formats – essay, profile, interview, video, poetry, photography, painting, drawing, or any combination.

Let’s show our talents in all their queerness. Bring the best, brightest, and most creative works and ideas of LGBTI and queer Africans to share with the world!

Text submissions should be between 500 and 1,500 words. Art submissions (photos, paintings, drawings, video) should include a brief (100-300 word) commentary and a caption for each artwork submitted.

CONTACT INFORMATION:

For queries/ submissions: mkonommoja@gmail.com, abataylor@gmail.com or charles.gueboguo@gmail.com

Website: http://www.qayn-center.org/

Deadline: 31 August 2012

Colleagues are warmly invited to submit contributions for volume 13 of New Readings, to be published no later than 31 August 2013. Contributions should be received by 31 August 2012, so that the editorial decision can be communicated before 30 November 2012.

New Readings is a peer-reviewed, open-access e-journal publishing original research in the fields of European literature, cultural history, film and visual culture. European here is understood as broadly as possible in terms of its geographical spread and its linguistic base. Francophone Africa and the Americas, for example, are therefore included in the journal’s scope. The journal has a strong, but by no means exclusive interest in publishing papers which examine the links between Europe and the wider world, and in interdisciplinary scholarship.

Solicited and contributed manuscripts should be prepared in accordance with the conventions of MLA style, as specified in MLA Handbook for Writers of Research Papers (7th edition, 2009) or MLA Style Manual and Guide to Scholarly Publishing (3rd edition, 2008). A brief overview with examples can be found here.

The recommended word-count for submissions is 6,000-8,000 (including footnotes and Works Cited).

CONTACT INFORMATION:

For queries/ submissions: submission is directly through the New Readings website

Website: http://ojs.cf.ac.uk/index.php/newreadings/

Deadline: 15 August 2012

UCT’s Centre for African Studies and its interdisciplinary postgraduate, peer-reviewed journal, postamble, invite you to submit papers, photographic essays and book reviews that address the formations and expressions of counter- cultures in Africa.

We understand ‘counter-cultures’ as zones of emergent response, constituting a range of practices, representations and performances, produced by varying narratives and realities. We see counter-cultures as movements that may begin in the fringes of normative society and politics, but that gather momentum and begin to rival the status quo in visible and powerful ways. We think of counter-cultures as the catalysts for social, political and cultural action and change.

postamble welcomes graduate submissions that raise questions about counter-cultures in contemporary Africa. We are interested, but not limited to, submissions that engage with the following fields of enquiry:

• Visual and literary cultures and new medias that seek to challenge traditional or inherited forms, themes, approaches and expectations to art, culture and/ or society

• Revolutionary movements: violent and non-violent responses to state power

• The philosophy of change and the idea of the ‘zeitgeist’

• Everyday practices that undermine, subvert and/or challenge existing power structures and discourses

• Patterns of social response that act as catalysts for change

• Visible and invisible forms of protest

• Shifting forms and modes of social habitation, especially in urban areas

• The use (or misuse) of the public archive

• Post-colonial queer culture, rights and spaces

• Changes within religious models, practices and approaches to worship

• Civil and grass-roots movements

• Musical forms and representations

• Advances in alternative sciences and technologies

SUBMISSION DEADLINE: 15 August 2012

postamble publishes original graduate research of a high standard. Long papers should be between 5000 and 8000 words, short submissions between1500 and 3000 words; photographic essays –min 5, and maximum 10 photographs and 1000-1200 words. Emailed submission should be addressed to ‘The Managing Editor’, and sent to postamble@gmail.com or cas-postamble@uct.ac.za. Please ensure all submissions contain a short abstract (200 words), biography (50 words), with relevant contact details. For correct formatting, please see Submissions on our website: www.postamble.org

CONTACT INFORMATION:

For queries/ submissions: postamble@gmail.com

Website: www.postamble.org

Deadline: 29 May 2012

Application Process for CCMP Fellowship programme 2012 is now open until closing on 29 May, 2359 GMT.

The Climate Change Media Partnership (CCMP) is proud to announce the launch of a Fellowship program that will send journalists to the United Nations Climate Change Conference in Doha (COP18) in late 2012. The Fellowships are open predominantly to journalists from developing countries, but journalists from the US and Russia are also welcome to apply.

Formed in 2007 by Internews’ Earth Journalism Network (EJN), Panos London and the International Institute for Environment and Development (IIED), the CCMP has brought developing country journalists to the annual UN climate summits for the past five years. This has enabled them to cover the summit for their home media organizations, work with experienced and knowledgeable journalists from around the world, and gain a multifaceted understanding of climate change's global impact. Numerous regional organizations also play a supporting role in the partnership.

As part of the fellowships, the CCMP will cover travel, lodging and daily subsistence expenses, arrange press accreditation at COP18, and provide other support services. The Fellows will benefit from a series of specially designed activities, including an orientation session, breakfast briefings, a field trip and a media clinic.

To be eligible for this fellowship applicants must be:

• A journalist from the developing world, USA or Russia
• Able to illustrate passion and commitment to reporting on climate change issues
• Able to travel to Doha, Qatar to arrive no later than 29th November 2012 and leave no later than 8th December 2012
• Have proven support from an editor, producer or supervisor

Criteria for evaluating applicants will include the prospective Fellow's demonstrated interest in climate change issues; their audience; and the ability of the Fellowship to provide an opportunity for those journalists who might not otherwise have a chance to cover such events. Fellows represent a diverse range of experience and regions, though a primary goal of this program is to reach audiences – particularly marginalized communities – who are currently underserved when it when it comes to climate information.

At the moment, the CCMP has funding to bring a small number of Fellows, but is actively working to increase support in order to increase those numbers. In addition to selecting the initial slate of Fellows, targeted to be announced in September a waitlist will also be created to select additional journalists if more funding becomes available.

Applicants are required to submit an application before the May 29, 2012 deadline. We expect to announce the winners of the Fellowships in September. To apply for a fellowship please click here.

To contact the CCMP please use the following information:

International Institute for Environment & Development:
Mike Shanahan, Press Officer
mike.shanahan@iied.org

Internews:
Morgan Williams, Project Manager
mwilliams@internews.eu

Panos:
Tia Jeewa, Senior Press & Communication Officer
tia.jeewa@panos.org.uk

CONTACT INFORMATION:

For queries: mike.shanahan@iied.org, mwilliams@internews.eu or tia.jeewa@panos.org.uk

For submissions: apply online here

Website: http://earthjournalism.net/

Deadline: 4 July 2012 and 4 November 2012

Parrésia is Nigeria’s most innovative Publisher and Publishing Solutions company. We comprise a team of diverse professionals banded together for one purpose—producing great books, your books! This informs our motto, your words . . . in trust.

We are interested in fiction of the highest quality by new authors from Africa that capture the contemporary African reality in all its nuance and detail. We have great faith in the very best of the emerging crop of African writers, children of the digital revolution and heirs to socio-political upheavals.

Parrésia provides the robust book production services of the full traditional printing process and bookstore-based distribution across Africa and the most modern forms of book publishing including eBooks and print-on-demand books and resilient e-marketing campaigns. Our independent Literary Agency, recognizing the desire of a greater number of new writers to completely control the production of their book, offers manuscript assessment, book production management and legal representation services to writers desirous of self publishing.

Our genre of interest is Fiction, interpreted broadly. Our authors of interest are authors with something new to say, with a bias for new authors without discrimination. In line with our guiding philosophy, we do not at the moment reprint books already published outside Africa.

CALL FOR SUBMISSION

We have three submission windows per year. These are:

• 5th of January – 4th March
• 5th of May – 4th of July
• 5th of September – 4th of November

SELECTION

• Submissions that have potential will be selected
• Selected Authors would be contacted indicating interest.
• We will then request a full synopsis and inquire about the complete manuscript.
• Provisional Offer

• Sign on fee
• Editorial license
• Royalty agreement

CONTACT INFORMATION:

For queries: azafi@parresia.com.ng or richard.ali@parresia.com.ng

For submissions: parrésia@parresia.com

Website: http://parresia.com.ng/

Deadline: 31 May 2012

Since 1981, the United Nations Department of Public Information has sponsored an annual fellowship programme for junior and mid-level broadcasters and journalists from developing countries and countries with economies in transition at UN Headquarters in New York. Established in 1980 by the General Assembly, it provides journalists an opportunity to acquaint themselves with the work of the United Nations.

This year, the Programme is expected to include 12 junior and mid-level media professionals for a period of five weeks. The first four weeks will take place in New York and the last week in Geneva. The participants are recruited through UN field offices whose countries are selected on a rotating basis. As of 2011, 499 journalists and broadcasters from 165 countries have taken part in the Programme.

The Programme exposes participants to the work of the UN and offers them an opportunity to periodically prepare news stories on behalf of their news organizations. The Programme is not intended to provide basic skills training to broadcasters and journalists, as all participants are already working as media professionals.

The Programme does not lead to employment by the United Nations. Upon completion of the Programme, participants are expected to return home to continue to work in journalism or broadcasting and help promote better understanding of the United Nations.

This year's Programme will start on Tuesday, 4 September in New York and conclude on Friday, 5 October 2012 in Geneva. All participants are required to spend the first and last week of the Programme in hotels reserved by the Programme.

WORK PROGRAMME

• Familiarize themselves with the issues before the 67th session of the General Assembly.

• Undertake professional work assignments. Each candidate will be required to compile a dossier of news stories or scripts.

• Attend briefings by officials of the United Nations Secretariat, UN specialized agencies, programmes and funds.

• Visit major media organizations and relevant NGOs in New York to observe their operations.

• Periodically, as time permits, prepare news stories on behalf of their news organizations.

Please note that this intensive programme does not allow participants to report full-time for their news organizations. Participants must be advised that all costs for faxes, telephone feeds and radio circuits shall be paid for by the media organizations they represent if they file periodic news reports.

CANDIDATES

Candidates must be between the ages of 22 and 35, be a national of a pre-selected country and have several years of professional journalistic experience and a proven interest in international affairs. Only those currently employed by recognized media organizations are considered. Freelancers are not eligible. Candidates must provide a letter from their employers in which they agree to release the participant for the full duration of the Programme. It is also imperative that candidates be fluent in English in order to take optimum advantage of the Programme, since all briefings and workshops are conducted in English only. Candidates from non-English-speaking countries are required to pass a written exam in English, and be interviewed on the telephone.

For their part, participants are required to attend all briefings and take part in all organized visits/trips. A certificate of participation will be given after full completion of the Programme requirements.

THE UNITED NATIONS WILL PROVIDE PARTICIPANTS WITH THE FOLLOWING:

• Economy class tickets from their country to New York City, from New York to Geneva and from Geneva back to country of origin by the most direct route. Participants are required to arrive in New York by Monday, 3 September and depart from Geneva on Saturday, 6 October 2012.

• The daily stipend is adjusted every year to cover the cost of the hotel recommended by the Programme. From this sum, the participants must cover any other expenses that may be incurred in New York and in Geneva. All participants must provide proof of valid medical insurance while in the United States and Switzerland.

Once you have determined that you are interested in and qualified for the Programme, kindly complete the Application Form and English Proficiency Examination (available below) and submit them and other requested documents via e-mail to your country’s contact person as soon as possible.

PARTICIPATING COUNTRIES

Forms that have not been completely filled out will not be considered. Please note: only the top twelve (12) candidates, one from each country, will be selected to participate in this year Programme.

CONTACT PERSONS

• Afghanistan, Mr. Michael Keating, Resident Coordinator, keating1@un.org
• Armenia, Ms. Maria Dotsenko, UN DPI Representative, Maria.dotsenko@unic.org
• Brazil, Ms. Valéria Schilling, National Information Officer, UNIC Rio, unic.brazil@unic.org or valeria.schilling@unic.org
• Brunei Darussalam, Ms. Anita Ahmad, Programme Manager, UNDP Malaysia, Anita.ahmad@undp.org
• Bulgaria, Ms. Maria Zlatareva-Pernishka, Resident Coordinator, maria.zlatareva@undp.org
• Burundi, Ms. Béatrice Nibogora, National Information Officer, UNIC Bujumbura, Beatrice.nibogora@unic.org
• Central African Republic, Mr. Michel Balima, Director, unic.yaounde@unic.org
• Equatorial Guinea, Mr. Leo Heileman, Resident Coordinator, leo.heileman@undp.org
• Eritrea, Dr. Mamadou Pethe Diallo, Resident Coordinator, dpi.er@undp.org
• Guinea-Bissau, Mr. Toussaint Kongo-Doudou, Director, unic.dakar@unic.org
• Iraq, Ms. Christine McNab, DSRSG/Resident Coordinator, mcnab1@un.org
• Kazakhstan, Mr. Vlastimil Samek, UN DPI Representative, kazakhstan@unic.org
• Liberia, Mr. Olufemi Majekodunmi, Public Information Section, UNMIL, olugbemi@un.org or olufemiun@yahoo.com
• Malawi, Ms. Kaniya Wignaraja, Director, unic.lusaka@unic.org
• Marshall Islands, Mr. Knut Ostby, Resident Coordinator, knut.ostby@undp.org
• Nicaragua, Mr. Pablo Mandeville, Resident Coordinator, pablo.mandeville@one.un.org
• Niger, Mr. Pascal Karorero, Director, unic.ouagadougou@unic.org
• Paraguay, Mr. Lorenzo Jiménez de Luis, Director and Resident Coordinator, unic.py@undp.org
• Poland, Ms. Mariola Ratschka, National Information Officer, Officer-in-Charge, mariola.ratschka@unic.org
• Qatar, Mr. Nejib Friji, Director, unic.manama@unic.org
• Saint Lucia, Ms. Catherine Gilbert, Officer-in-Charge, unic.portofspain@unic.org
• Saudi Arabia, Ms. Khawla Mattar, Director, info@unic-eg.org
• Turkmenistan, Mr. Lenni Montiel, Resident Coordinator, lenni.montiel@undp.org
• Yemen, Mr. Jens Toyberg-Frandzen, Resident Coordinator, jens.toybergfrandzen@undp.org

Each year the United Nations Department of Public Information pre-selects countries to participate in the fellowship programme. These countries are chosen on a rotating basis using the UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs’ (DESA) classification of developing and transitional countries.

The appropriate UN field offices (UN Information Centres or UNICs, local offices of the UN Development Programme or UNDP, etc.) then assist DPI in identifying local qualified candidates, amongst which DPI selects one applicant per participating country.

THE CANDIDATES MUST MEET THE FOLLOWING ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS:

• Candidates must be nationals and reside in one of the countries invited each year to participate in the Programme.
• Candidates should be between the age of 22 and 35.
• Candidates should have several years of professional journalism (print/radio/tv/on-line) experience in a media organization. Freelancers and UN employees are not eligible.
• Candidates must be fluent in English. All briefings and workshops during the programme are conducted in English only. All candidates are required to successfully pass the written part of the English Proficiency Exam and a telephone interview.
• Candidates should prove past interest in the work of the United Nations and attach supporting documents (For example: newspaper article, video, youtube, a link to TV/Radio programme, etc.). General interest in international relations or future aspirations to cover the UN are not accepted.

Only completed applications from qualified applicants will be considered. The single most qualified applicant from each country will be accepted to the Programme.

2012 Reham Al-Farra Fellowship Programme Application

English Proficiency Exam Form

CONTACT INFORMATION:

For enquiries: contact Zvi Muskal at muskal@un.org or call (917) 367 5142 (US)

For submissions: see the list of contact persons above

Website: http://www.un.org/en/media/fellowship/

Deadline: 31 May 2012

2012 will no doubt mark many firsts, and we hope that the AfroSF anthology will be among them. This will be the first African Science Fiction anthology open to submissions from all African writers (only) across the continent and Diaspora.

This particular genre has been somewhat neglected in the burgeoning African literature scene, something we hope that this anthology will help to address and encourage more of. We have a firm belief that the opportunities that SciFi engenders with its broad scope for imagination, invention, metaphor, political and social commentary, will take African writers out of their current comfort zones and into new territories.

Established African writers like Nnedi Okorafor (2011 World Fantasy Award winner), and Lauren Beukes (2011 Arthur C. Clarke Award winner) are already signed up for the anthology.

The anthology will be selected and edited by African Author, Ivor Hartmann and published by StoryTime (Publishing).

AfroSF Short Stories Submission

Size limit: 1500 - 8000 words

Works submitted may be: Science Fiction short stories only.

1) Only African writers are eligible (writers born in Africa, or having domiciled in for over 10 years, and/or holding citizenship in an African country)

2) The submitted work must be an original work, nothing that infringes the copyright of, or is derived from, another author's work of fiction, is overly lewd, hate speech, etc.

3) Must be unpublished (not previously published in print or online).

4) No simultaneous submissions (only submitted to AfroSF and no other publications).

5) No multiple submissions (submit only one work).

6) Submission format: single line spaced, font Times New Roman 12pt, one line space between paragraphs, no indents, and set to UK English.

7) Deadline for submissions is May 31st 2012.

If you're wondering what exactly Science Fiction is have a read of this article (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Science_fiction). Also please note your story does not have to be based in Africa, it's SF after all the only limits are your imagination (within plausible SF scenarios of course, so do your research well before submitting).

CONTACT INFORMATION:

For submissions: click here

Website: http://www.afrofutures.com

Deadline: 31 May 2012

The African Network for Strategic Communication in Health and Development (AfriComNet) invites entries for the 2012 annual award for excellence in HIV and AIDS communication in Africa. The awards aim to: 1) recognize outstanding contributions made by individuals/organizations to strategic HIV/AIDS communication, 2) encourage innovation and quality in strategic communication, 3) enhance appreciation of strategic communication as a necessary tool for effective health and development programs and 4) acknowledge programmes, tools and productions that advance strategic communication and can be adapted and applied elsewhere.

ELIGIBILITY

• Individuals and organizations implementing HIV and AIDS initiatives, campaigns, productions and tools that advance the field of strategic communication and can be evaluated, adapted and applied elsewhere
• The nominated initiative must have been implemented in Africa,
• The nominated initiative/campaign must have been implemented for at least two years.
• At least one person involved in the initiative’s development should be an African citizen or have worked in Africa for a period of more than two years.

To nominate, the following procedure must be followed:

• Any person or organization can nominate an initiative by submitting a completed nomination form
• Nomination forms are available from the AfriComNet website or can be requested by email.
• The nominator must describe his or her association with the nominated initiative or production.
• A summary of what the initiative has accomplished, sample materials and any impact documented, should accompany the nomination. (e.g. Websites/URLs, Annual reports, midterm and other evaluation reports etc)
• Supporting materials in languages other than English and French should be translated
• Two referees (individual or organization) including their contact information shall be submitted for the nominated initiative. The references should have worked or associated with the creative individual/team for at least two years.
• An initiative can be nominated in only one category.

Entries will be judged based on their contribution to innovating, strengthening and popularizing strategic communication as a necessary tool for health and development. The jury will score nominations on the following criteria;

• Relevance to context
• Follows a strategic communication process
• Innovation
• Can the intervention easily be replicated?
• Sustainability of the intervention
• Impact of the intervention or Evaluation results

Winners will be awarded in the following categories;

1. Best Mass media intervention, campaign or production.

This category recognizes initiatives using mass media as the main channel (50% plus of the initiative) for their strategic communications (includes film, television or radio productions advocating behavior change or raising awareness about HIV)

2. Best Multi-channel communication intervention or campaign.

Recognizing integrated strategic communication initiatives or interventions (using television/radio, print, interpersonal channels). Nominations should show that there is a balance in the use of the various channels.

3. Best Interpersonal/community initiative/intervention

Includes use of community radio, peer education, counseling, or community mobilization

4. Best Social marketing initiative, strategy or campaign

Entries in this category include product/service advertisement, branding or promotion

5. Best Popular/folk media initiative

This category includes the use of creative and performing arts advocating behavior change or raising awareness about HIV (e.g. theater, puppetry, visual arts and dance, drama or music concerts, etc).

6. Best HIV or AIDS related series

Entries for this category include newspaper/magazine column or series of articles, documentary films and TV/ radio broadcasts, or comic book series

7. Best social/new media initiative

This category includes the use of new/social media e.g. Twitter, Facebook, MySpace, YouTube, text messaging, blogging etc, to advocate for behavior change or raise awareness about HIV. Entries must show that social/new media is the main implementation platform for the initiative.

RULES OF ENTRY

• The competition will be judged by an assigned judging team
• The judges' decision is final and no negotiation or correspondence will be entered into;
• One winner will be selected in each of the seven categories.
• Two finalists in each category will be contacted in advance to let them know that their initiative is being considered for an Award.
• Should the entries in a particular category fall below the minimum standard the judges reserve the right not to select a finalist
• The judges reserve the right to transfer entries for consideration in other categories at their discretion
• No responsibility is taken for entries lost, delayed, misdirected, and incomplete or any other cause outside AfriComNet’s control.
• AfriComNet reserves the right to disseminate, reproduce or publish any entry, without payment, for the purpose of sharing a particular innovative communication tool.
• AfriComNet reserves the right to disqualify any entry if it has reasonable grounds to believe that the nominee/nominator has breached any of the terms and conditions.

The two finalists in each Award category will receive a fully paid trip to the award venue, an opportunity to present their initiatives, recognition during a gala award ceremony, and media exposure. The winner will receive a plaque and the runner up a certificate recognizing the achievement. AfriComNet does not offer prize money for this award.

DEADLINE

The deadline for receiving entries is 31 May, 2012

CONTACT INFORMATION:

For enquiries: infodesk@africomnet.org

For submissions: Complete a soft copy of the nomination form and email it to AfriComNet at infodesk@africomnet.org. Two printed copies of the completed nomination form and supporting materials should be sent to AfriComNet addressed to: The Coordinator, AfriComNet, Plot 15, Binayomba Road, Bugolobi, P.O Box 3495, Kampala, Uganda

Website: http://www.africomnet.org

Deadline: 10 July 2012

This innovation challenge focuses on journalism and the news media. We are looking for disruptive digital ideas for improving the way that news is collected and disseminated. By digital ideas, we mean tools or strategies that use the Internet, mobile platforms, data driven journalism, computer assisted reporting, digitally augmented reality, or other electronic means to improve the relevance and impact of news media.

Your ideas should be focused on providing pragmatic solutions to realworld challenges facing Africa’s media. Your innovation should fall into any of four broad categories: news gathering; story telling; audience engagement; or the business of news. Within these categories, we are specifically interested in ideas that seek to achieve one or more of the following goals:

Platforms

Strengthen existing media platforms, or harness new digital platforms for engaging audiences and transmitting news other journalistic content.

Delivery

Improve the way news reaches audiences, from traditional circulation / airtime management to newer disruptive ‘cross platform’ channels.

Context

Amplify the relevance and usefulness of news by improving the immediacy, depth and accuracy of journalistic content.

Reach

Enhance the impact and ‘shelf life’ of news by extending its influence and intrinsic value for both audiences and content services.

Targeting

Deepen media’s understanding of its audiences and markets by improving user analytics, audience profiling and market segmentation.

Sustainablity

Boost the media’s resource base by diversifying business models, developing new revenue streams or improving operational efficiencies.

WHAT WE FUND

We fund news experiments and digital media startups. This means that we will fund the costs associated with developing, testing and scaling a new digital news venture or product. We will not fund conferences, training workshops, nor the salary or operational costs for existing organisations, nor university administration fees, nor other routine business costs.

FINALISTS WORKSHOP

Finalists will be invited to the OpenNews Camp in Zanzibar, Tanzania, in August for one-on-one workshop sessions with business development mentors and other industry experts. Finalists will use these sessions to refine and strengthen their proposals, as well as develop implementation plans and budgets ahead of final judging.

SUPPORTING THE WINNERS

Winners will receive cash grants of between $12,000 and $100,000, plus additional business development support, technical mentorship, and marketing support. Winners may also be offered opportunities to pilot their projects in AMI member newsrooms and showcase the results at international conferences or to venture capital funds.

WHAT IS THE PROCESS FOR APPLYING?

The only place you can apply is here on the ANIC website. We will not accept faxes, posted applications, hand deliveries or other channels. All you need to do is answer the 7 questions on the form. Brevity counts. Any supporting media, videos, links to prototypes, etc, can be included with the post, but are not required. The deadline for submissions is July 10 (midnight – Central African Time). No late submissions will be accepted. We will contact semi-finalists for additional information, including a detailed budget, by early August.

WHO CAN ENTER?

ANIC is an open and worldwide contest. Anyone, anywhere can therefore apply – as long as they have an African partner to help with implementation. There is no other age or geographic restriction. The competition is open to nonprofits, for-profits or individuals of any age, anywhere in the world. Awards to minors will be made to an intermediary designated by ANIC.

WHAT IS THE DEADLINE FOR ENTRY?

July 10, 2012 at midnight (Central African Time). You might want to use something like World Time Buddy to make sure that you get the time right.

WHEN WILL I RECEIVE A RESPONSE?

The dates below are guidelines. Their intention is to give you an idea of the timeframe of the process.

• May 10, 2012: Contest opens
• July 10, 2012: Application deadline
• August 10, 2012: Finalists are at the OpenNews Camp, in Zanzibar
• September 10, 2012: Finalists submit their final proposals and budget plans
• November 10, 2012: Winners are announced at the African Media Leaders Forum in Ivory Coast

The total purse for cash prizes is $1 million.

The African News Innovation Challenge is designed to find and nurture ideas that have the potential to transform journalism and the media industry.

Winners will therefore receive more than just cash grants. They will also receive a combination of technical advice and business mentorship from industry experts, as well as support for marketing their innovations to a wider African and world audience.

Once winners have produced working prototypes and proof-of-concept for their ideas, they will be given the opportunity to showcase their innovations to venture capitalist funds for possible additional investment.

The Basics:

Winners will receive cash grants of between $12,500 and $100,000, depending on the potential impact and the operational requirements of the project. Each project’s operational requirements will be spelled out in a detailed budget that shortlisted finalists will be required to file in the 2nd phase of judging. Finalists will attend a workshop, in Zanzibar, to help them develop this budget and a related business plan.

Support Services:

The World Association of Newspapers & News Producers (WAN-IFRA) will provide winners with one-on-one mentorship and technical advice from some of the world’s leading media strategists. WAN-IFRA will also host an intensive business development workshop for finalists, to help them refine and strengthen their proposals.

Venture Capital:

The ANIC grants that winners receive will function as seed capital for innovators to kickstart their projects. Once they have produced working prototypes with some degree of proof-of-concept, winners will be given the opportunity to pitch their projects to the Media Development Loan Fund’s new digital venture fund for consideration for possible additional investment.

CONTACT INFORMATION:

For enquiries: queries@africannewschallenge.org

For submissions: submit your entries here

Website: http://africannewschallenge.org