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HUMAN RIGHTS

Issue 4/March 2011Facebook.com/theseareourrights Twitter.com/ourrightsafrica www.theseareourrights.org

E-Newsletter of the Africa Youth Human Rights Network

New!

Poetry corner

+Opportunities

YouthAction

The opinions expressed in this e-newsletter are the responsibility of the authors and not those of the Africa Youth Human Rights Network, Action Youth, Global Changemakers or any of its associates, funder or sponsor.

YOUTHAFRICAAFRICA YOUTHNeworkNetwork

HUMAN RIGHTS

Africa Youth Human Rights Networke-Newsletter

Issue 4/March 2011

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African Youth Human Rights Network March, 2011 3

This month

Africa Youth Human Rights Network

____________________________

Editor

Munyaradzi Gova

Managing Editor

Jermain Ndhlovu

Project Managers

Mercy Changwesha (Zimbabwe/US)Esnath Gondwe (Malawi)Mahmud Johnson (Liberia/US)____________________________

Contributors

Nchamaze Arnold AkepuGilmore T. MoyoMarie MainilEddy Oketch GicheruSiphosethu Mpofu____________________________

© e-Newsletter: Action Youth and Africa Youth Human Rights Network.

© Articles - Individual contributors

Reproduction of any part of this publication is available on request.

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HUMAN RIGHTS

Cover photo: Beautiful Schoolgirl; Swakopmund, Namibia - mexikids/www.sxu.hu

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_______________________________________4 African Youth Human Rights Network March, 2011

Munyaradzi Alfonce Gova

Editor

THESE ARE OUR RIGHTS!

editor@theseareourrights.org

t Africa Youth Human Rights Network our hearts are heavy with sorrow as we hope to turn a blind eye to the Ahappenings in Japan due to the massive tragedy but our

human nature fails us and we can not help but sob and pray that the world can witness more survivors. We join hands with the rest of the world hoping for the best in Japan.

In this issue we shall look at the country that successfully hosted the 2010 Soccer world cup in the country profile segment and help you to know more about the country that has one of the worlds most flexible constitution if not the most flexible. After facing success we shall also look at the state of education in Africa zeroing into Cameroon and try and see if the two sides of the same continent correspond. Education is power and it opens up the mind so as to help an individual to think broadly but is the girl child being offered this chance, you shall read more about it when Nchamze Arnold Akepu writes about his girl effect project in Cameroon.

A young lady almost American but Belgian who is in Burundi writes about her experiences in this African state but also wonders if tradition and culture still play a pivotal role in the lives of the people. She tells us about how difficult a task it is to convince the powers that be about some issues of international impotence. We will also introduce you to a new corner where you will muse at poetry about the motherland AFRICA by a young man from Kenya who is a graduate of the prestigious African Leadership Academy. Beyond the beauty of the continent that we can not deny lays a fear that is unbearable as Siphosethu Mpofu a young poet from Zimbabwe expresses his fears of massacre and vote rigging.

Please allow me not to preempt this interesting read :)

Munyah!

The Poll on

Facebook.com/theseareourrights

Africa Youth Human Rights Network

Yes

No

1: (100%)

2: (0%)

In our November newsletter issue,

abortion was a touched on subject and

most African countries criminalise it.

Should abortion be legalised?

‘Like’ us on Facebook.com/theseareourrights

The March Poll on

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Africa Youth Human Rights Network

1: Very

2: Partly

How important are your traditional cultures

and values in the modern world?

2: Not at all

Vote on our page,

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African Youth Human Rights Network March, 2011 5

Shared values

This year’s African Union’s annual theme.

‘Perceptions can change if you give people time.’

Traditionalist brother of a young South African man who converted to Islam and

married a white Muslim woman.

‘These contradictions are impossible for us to ignore.’

Nigeria’s foreign minister Odein Ajumogobia on the international community’s imposition

of a No fly zone in Libya when equal violent attcks on people is happening in Ivory Coast. .

‘I just saw a goat on a bicycle, seeming comfortable on a kid's knees at the back.’

Marie Mainil experiences Africa on page 11

‘Remember that educating the girl child in Africa transforms everything about her.’

Nchamaze Arnold Akepu is a firm believer of female empowerment on page 8

‘ ’I love every suck of her saliva

Eddy Gicheru Oketch on the woman he loves. Page 13

Country Profile_______________________________________

_______________________________________6 African Youth Human Rights Network March, 2011

Zimbabwe; to the east are Mozambique and Swaziland; while Lesotho is an enclave surrounded by South African territory.

South Africa is known for a diversity in cultures and languages. Eleven official languages are recognised in the constitution. Two of these languages are of European origin: Afrikaans, a language which originated mainly from Dutch that is spoken by the majority of white and Coloured South Africans, and South African English. Though English is commonly used in public and commercial life, it is only the fifth most-spoken home language.

South Africa is ethnically diverse. About 79.5% of the South African population is of black African ancestry, divided among a variety of ethnic groups speaking different Bantu languages, nine of which have official status. South Africa also contains the largest communities of European, Asian, and racially mixed ancestry in Africa. About a quarter of the population is unemployed and lives on less than US $1.25 a day.

Foreign Relations

Since the end of apartheid, the South African foreign policy has focused on its African partners particularly in the Southern African Development Community (SADC) and the African Union. South Africa has played a key role as a mediator in African conflicts over the last decade, such as in Burundi, the Democratic Republic of Congo, the Comoros, and Zimbabwe. After apartheid ended, South Africa was readmitted to the Commonwealth of Nations.

South Africa was a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council between 2007 and 2008, and has attracted controversy by voting against a resolution criticising the Burmese government in 2006 and against the implementation of sanctions against Zimbabwe in 2008. South Africa is a member of the Group of 77 and chaired the organisation in 2006. South Africa is a member of the South Atlantic Peace and Cooperation Zone, Southern African Customs Union, World Trade Organization, International Monetary Fund, G20 and G8+5.

Official Name: Republic of South AfricaCapital: PretoriaGovernment type: Constitutional parliamentary republicPopulation: 49,991,300Official Languages: English, Afrikaans, Zulu, Xhosa, Sotho, Venda, Sepedi, Tswana, Swazi, Ndebele, Tsonga. (11) Independence: 27 April 1994Religion: 79.7% Christian, 15.1% Non religious, 1.5% Muslim, 1.3% Hindu, 0.2% Judaism, 2.3% were other and 1.4% unspecified.

The Republic of South Africa is a parliamentary democracy comprising nine provinces which is located at the southern tip of Africa with a 2,798 kilometres (1,739 miles) coastline on the Atlantic and Indian Oceans. To the north lie Namibia, Botswana and

_______________________________________African Youth Human Rights Network March, 2011 7

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Society and culture

The South African black majority still has a substantial number of rural inhabitants who lead largely impoverished lives. It is among these people that cultural traditions survive most strongly; as blacks have become increasingly urbanised and Westernised, aspects of traditional culture have declined. Urban blacks usually speak English or Afrikaans in addition to their native tongue.

Same-sex Marriage has been legal in South Africa since 2006. It is the first republic and the first African Nation to allow same-sex marriage. Couples have a choice of a civil union or a marriage

Science and technology

Several important scientific and technological developments have originated in South Africa. The first human-to-human heart transplant was performed by cardiac surgeon Christiaan Barnard at Groote Schuur

Economy

South Africa has a mixed economy with high rate of poverty and low GDP per capita. By UN classification South Africa is a middle-income country with an abundant supply of resources, well-developed financial, legal, communications, energy, and transport sectors, a stock exchange that ranks among the top twenty in the world, and a modern infrastructure supporting an efficient distribution of goods to major urban centres throughout the entire region. South Africa is ranked 25th in the world in terms of GDP (PPP) as of 2008 Advanced development is significantly localised around four areas: Cape Town, Port Elizabeth, Durban, and Pretoria/Johannesburg. Beyond these four economic centres, development is marginal and poverty is still prevalent despite government efforts

In 2000 the average white household was earning six times more than the average black household. The affirmative action policies, called Black Economic Empowerment, have seen a rise in black economic wealth and an emerging black middle class. Other problems are crime, corruption, and HIV/AIDS. South Africa suffers from relatively heavy overall regulation burden compared to developed countries. State ownership and interference impose high barriers to entry in many areas. Restrictive labour regulations have contributed to the unemployment malaise.

Hospital in December 1967. Max Theiler developed a vaccine against Yellow Fever, Allan McLeod Cormack pioneered x-ray Computed tomography, and Aaron Klug developed crystallographic electron microscopy techniques. These advancements were all (with the exception of that of Barnard) recognised with Nobel Prizes. Sydney Brenner won most recently, in 2002, for his pioneering work in molecular biology.

Mark Shuttleworth (below photo) founded an early Internet security company Thawte, that was subsequently bought out by world-leader VeriSign. Despite government efforts to encourage entrepreneurship in biotechnology, IT and other high technology fields, no other notable groundbreaking companies have been founded in South Africa. It is the expressed objective of the government to transition the economy to be more reliant on high technology, based on the realisation that South Africa cannot compete with Far Eastern economies in manufacturing, nor can the republic rely on its mineral wealth in perpetuity.

South Africa has cultivated a burgeoning astronomy community. It hosts the Southern African Large Telescope, the largest optical telescope in the southern hemisphere. South Africa is currently building the Karoo Array Telescope as a pathfinder for the $20 billion Square Kilometer Array project. South Africa is a finalist, with Australia, to be the host of the SKA.

Social problems

According to a survey for the period 1998–2000 compiled by the United Nations, South Africa was ranked second for murder and first for assaults and rapes per capita. Middle-class South Africans seek security in gated communities. Many emigrants from South Africa also state that crime was a big motivator for them to leave. Crime against the farming community has continued to be a major problem. In May 2008 societal hostility to African migrants exploded in a series of pogroms that left up to 100 people dead and 100,000 displaced.

Agriculture is a major part of South Africa’s economy, contributing 10% of formal employment though relatively low compared to most parts of Africa. Photo: Wikipedia

Source: Wikipedia

_______________________________________Views & Opinion_______________________________________

Yearning for equal opportunity: Although girls usually outnumber boys in African schools, as is the case is in this Cameroonian classroom, many do not complete school or further to tertiary education. Photo: Nchamaze Arnold Akepu/GirlsUp Project

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Nchamze Arnold Akepu is not amused that every Valentine’s day a billion dollars is spent on chocolate while girl education suffers.

Of the world's 130 million out-of-

school youth, 70 percent are girls.

Each year on Valentine's Day, over

$1 billion is spent on chocolate.

What if that money were spent on

girls' education instead???

What are you doing to help out???

“Education is the most powerful

weapon you can use to change the

world” said Nelson Mandela. In Sub

Saharan Africa, some 12 million girls

are out of school. Sometimes it is

even difficult to determine the causes

of this high level of illiteracy. In

Cameroon, the three Northern

regions, Adamawa, North and the Far

North take the lead. Several

measures have been deployed by

national and international bodies,

however, this challenge remains, with

young girls and women the greatest

victims. The education of the girl child

in most parts of these areas remains a taboo. Most parents prefer their girl

children to get married, most often at a very young age (12 – 14), and to men

old enough to be their fathers. Girl enrolment at primary schools is lower

than that of boys and the gap widens up the ladder to the secondary and high

schools. Only half of school-age children actually go to school!

The World Food Program evaluation found out the following information;

Basic/Primary education ministry

Secondary education ministry

Continues next page...

Region Number of schools

Number of pupils

Girls Boys

North 801 314011 125 801 188 322 Adamawa 324 182 420 87 561 94 859 Ext. North 1347 458 911 174 386 284 525

8African Youth Human Rights Network March, 2011

Region Number Of schools

Number of pupils

Girls Boys

North 92 65 415 18 027 47 388 Adamawa 89 51 881 21 832 30 049 Ext. North 124 80 142 50 748 29 394

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have been transformed in to one of

Equal rights, equal access to

education, equal opportunities

between young boys and girls, so as

to guarantee equal progress for all.

Remember, educating the girl child

in Africa transforms everything about

her life. She is more likely to get a

good job, three times less likely to

get HIV/AIDs, earn 25 percent more

income and keep a smaller and

healthier family.

_________________________

Nchamaze Arnold Akepu is a school

teacher and project manager of

GirlsUp and is based in

N’Gaoundéré, Cameroun.

Story, Music and Sporting

competitions, GirlsUp hopes to attain

its objectives by letting young girls

and women to freely express

themselves, through these activities,

by proving to the community that they

are dependable partners in

development and community service

and not a liability as hitherto believed.

It is our wish that by the 12th of

August 2011 when this project comes

to an end, and passing the baton to

the young participants to campaign,

advocate and fundraise for the

creation of a center for the promotion

of education of the girl child in their

the community, also the community’s

perception of the girl child should

It is against this background that,

GirlsUp Girl Effect Community Action

Project (GECAP) was conceived. This

project, sponsored by the Girl Effect,

in collaboration with the British

Council's Global Changemakers

Network, aims at promoting the

education of the girl child beyond the

primary level. Through this, young girls

and women can be able to adequately

express themselves, bringing out their

problems and conveniently telling their

stories to the community, to enhance a

better solution to these problems by

stake holders.

Through radio campaigns, public

forums, the establishment of girl's

forums, female Essay ,Arts ,Short

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Empowered: A young high school girl sits attentively in a Namibian classroom. Photo: Mexikids/www.sxu.hu

“Remember that educating the girl child in Africa transforms everything about her life”

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African Youth Human Rights Network March, 2011 10

_______________________________________Views & Opinion

Eyesore?: Harare’s Mbare township is bustling with actvivity. Photo: Wikipedia

High density living conditions make Gilmore T Moyo cringe

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A stroll through the crowded streets of

Mbare Suburb, one of Zimbabwe's low

income and highly populated area,

snapped some reality into my

superficial head. I have never seen so

much dirt, filth and poor living

conditions like the situation that was

presented to me at first glance. Its

usually love at first sight, but in this

case it was filth at first sight.

Its not that the local council of that

particular area is inadequate, but I feel

that people always want to blame

someone for their poor upkeep and

cubed mindsets. But then, this lives

me in a void and wonder if the children

born within such an environment will

live all their lives blaming their

guardians and parents for rearing

them in that environment. No! I guess

not. They don't have the right to

choose whom they want to parent

them!

Looking at the kind of life style people

have adapted to in such areas, you will

then realize that they is little effort

being put towards housing and habitat

for the society. Most of the families

living in Mbare have more than 4

dependants living under one roof with

them. “The one roof” actually brings to

light that these families are staying in

bachelor's apartments which only have

one bedroom and a joint

kitchen/dinning room/ sitting room,

with residents sharing few toilet and

bathing facilities. These living

conditions have also resulted in the

high crime rate and unruly activities

as the dependants are trying to

sustain their lives and acquire

financial support. Not only has it

resulted to the increase in crime,

there are shortages of water, finances

to meet electricity expenses and also

the spread of water borne diseases

due to sewage bursts. This has

resulted in overpopulation within the

high density areas, bare in mind that

they are called high density areas

because this is where the middle and

low class families stay, not where

there should be high birth rates.

These scenarios trigger the thought of

why our local governments should

implement the one child policy or the

limitation of child birth according to

the income earned by the family. In

China, the government introduced the

1 child policy and doesn't give

incentives to those that have more

children. I strongly believe that this

would help control our high African

birth rates, most especially within low

income families.

We have to look out for the unborn

children that have no choice or say of

whom to be born to. If the local

authorities can not support our

societies like most African nations,

then this is the next step to reducing

poverty and crime rate within our

nations. But others may argue that

everyone has the right to bear as

many children as they want.

We have seen the attributes of how

much our communities have suffered

from the large amounts of

unemployed individuals. Don't get me

wrong, I am not implying that poor

people are the cause of our society's

problems. But if these many

individuals had a right to be born, I do

not think they would have liked to be

born to a low income family.

Therefore, the way out is either giving

up their children for adoption, abort

the moment they discover they are

pregnant and can't support their

children or the government

introduces the 1 or 2 child policy. If

these numbers of unemployed

individuals continue increasing,

where are we going to be as the

global society in a few decades to

come?

______________________

Gilmore T. Moyo is 21 year old and is

the Director/Founder of Peace of Art

Foundation from Bulawayo,

Zimbabwe.

10 African Youth Human Rights Network March, 2011

_______________________________________Views & Opinion

Marie Mainil gives us a blue print the experience of a Belgian almost American in Burundi.

______________________________________________________________________________

On awesome 15h work days March 12, 2011

Great week! UNEP colleagues visited us and we started the process of encouraging the Government of Burundi to embrace green economy as a pathway to sustainable development and poverty eradication and thus peace building. In my opinion, this is absolutely necessary in Burundi. The above might sound like common sense to many of you, but getting this common sense out of big bureaucracies is nothing to sneeze at.

Wiggio and greening the building suggestions were adopted at the office, and I am even asked to further my proposal to look into social entrepreneurship as one solution to the economic key domain of the villagisation policy in Burundi.

When you have sharp, caring, and humble colleagues, 15hr work days pass very fast!

Smells of childhood February 19, 2011

It's daunting on me that being in Burundi is a lot like growing up in Belgium. The food is extremely similar. I recognize Belgian products all over. Bakery sections feature homemade waffles that taste just like my grandma's and aunts'.

There are the red and dusty tennis courts, and the people at the bar chatting and watching others play. Horses -I did a lot of horseback riding from age 5 to 10. People go to the pub after work.

It's all somewhat comforting but where are the Burundian traditions, the Burundian foods? Has it all been forgotten as a colleague suggested to me, pointing out the life expectancy of Burundians (49)?

“I just saw a goat on a bicycle, seeming comfortable on a kid's knees at the back.”

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African Youth Human Rights Network March, 2011 11

February 13, 2011

March 7, 2011

Electricity down on Friday, means it will be down til Monday--office closed during the weekend. No water, at least for now. Toilet plugged. Let's go to the beach.

When you have sharp, caring, and humble colleagues, 15hr work days pass very fast!

Was asked for my opinion in important policy planning meeting with national counterpart. Confidence building in 4 weeks. Not bad! Note to self part II: the value of substantial education might never have been clearer to me than at the issue of this meeting. Whoever wants to help build a peaceful and prosper Burundi needs to

Note to self

Kakabone and outer space

Rumoge

March 5, 2011

March 6, 2011

Just came back from the Kakabone concert. Was quite good.

It seems to be a great example of generational and cultural exchange. Now back to writing to Burundi "external affairs" on behalf of UN "space affairs" Why am I laughing?!

Nice day at beautiful Rumoge, except no matter the culture, context, country, patriarchy's sexist jokes eternally fail to entertain me, to put it mildly.

High up in the Burundian hills, an Obama shop!

Tennis at gun point March 5, 2011So I am playing the Burundi vs. Rwanda tennis tournament. Don't worry, it's quite friendly. Except that because Burundian officials are present, it so happens that when players look around, they notice the soldiers with the AK 47 more or less pointed at them. All I can say is that I am glad I won my matches yesterday and I hope to continue winning today and tomorrow!_____________________________________

Marie Mainil eats lots of fruit and is currently in Burundi where she is a UN volunteer, thinks inclusive global affairs and strives to play her part in them. As Jen Watts would say, pragmatically centered left, down to the tennis court. More at http://marieinburundi.shutterfly.com/

12 African Youth Human Rights Network March, 2011

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Eddy has nothing but love for his very special lady.

Oketch Gicheru

Mothumia wa bere, the Mikai of mine…the fish bait of an amorous soul

I wake up in the morning not once, and she is sprawled beneath my armpits,

Dousing almost olive oil disclose of love…

for there is something special about the way my love treats me

In smoothie, soft voice, she breathes her phlegmatic moral fiber

The jolly disposition of a soothe and loving woman,

my face opposite the East, and a bewitching smile straight into my eyes

When all seem bleak and bland, and life drab and dreary,

She steps out of the Shona beauty and struts towards me,

Flashing that smile that mellows even the hardest of hearts

And she assuages the excesses of each moment

reminding me that it is never an eyesore for me to claim her breasts,

to sink in her warmth of embrace, with her nose touching mine,

and my head beneath her bonnet, fixing love and tightening hope….

My noblest, my squashy …my only love…

Her Charm aside, my girl is killingly beautiful, Very stylish and very flamboyant

Her natural mascara notwithstanding: not with lipstick, not with cutex.

When she turns her head, wherever she goes, that is one girl you want to chase

She is a role model beyond culture, No cork-ups or breakdowns can surpass her

beauty.

The icon of elegance, my love for her cannot keep my hands off her thighs

With a caressing touch, I leap into her flowing belly, and her splendor ensnares me

Up close, in her Zulu-Xhosas legs and airy-rosy Wolof arms, my girl is amiably quick

to laugh.

In the day sun, sitting calmly at the generous Indian Ocean, my lady is wonder to

watch.

You want to draw closer and revel in her magnificence when in Ivorian coast,

but are back by the sheer calmness of her breath in the Mediterranean ,

the indescribable, shrewd, triumphant calmness she exudes,

right from Harare to Rabat, From Migori to Mbeya

I am so home with this my lady

For at midnight, at midday, my fuse to her fog lights will never blow off.

My love for her has developed a pretty thick hide

and will never get intimidated by other women.

I love every blade of her hair

I love every suck of her saliva

I love every crystal of her sand

I love every path of her prosperity

I love everything about this precious lady… AFRICA, THE WOMAN I LOVE!

© Eddy Oketch Gicheru

African Youth Human Rights Network March, 2011 13

_______________________________________Poetry corner_______________________________________

Words and stuff like that

Object of a young man’s desire.

Photo: Icelandit/www.sxu.hu

Eddy Oketch Gicheru is a graduate of

the African Leadership Academy and is

Director of White Fingers Peace

Initiative based in Nairobi, Kenya. Find

this and his other poems in his

upcoming anthology; The African God.

_______________________________________Poetry

Siphosethu Mpofu is a poet and youth activist based in

Bulawayo, Zimbabwe.

______________________________

*Ndiyoyika is Xhosa for ‘I’m afraid’. Xhosa is a Nguni

language spoken in Southern Africa._______________________________________

Intricate tales: Never ending conflict all over Africa is cause for concern. Photo: Wikipedia: Non free, low resolution fair use.

14 African Youth Human Rights Network March, 2011

Ndiyoyika

Of guns and knifesthat await to pierce andprotrude this intricate soulOf bloodstained handswhose slithering gripmy life to the devil lendswhose grip alone in walkmy body does creepndiyoyika

Of minds that forget to rememberthis my mouth needs fresh waterthis head of mine needs shelterAnd of these errant crocked mindswho contemplate this gracefulcarved body is a game of playing cardsin fear I cringe - ndiyoyika

I am scared ofvoices that promise to delivermurdering the innocentsilencing the benevolentyes, they turn me into a non-believerand of those rasping whisperswho hide and rig my voting papersfather, believe mewhen I say:ndiyoyika

Power plays and brute force shows have Siphosethu Mpofu left shaken.

_______________________________________Opportunities_______________________________________

News youth can use

UN-HABITAT Urban Youth Fund for NGOs in Developing Countries

Deadline: 15 April 2011

The United Nations Human Settlement Programme (UN-HABITAT) has launched the third round of funding for the

UN-HABITAT Urban Youth Fund aimed at advancing the achievement of Millennium Development Goals (MDG) and

the Habitat Agenda by supporting youth-led projects implemented in cities and towns of developing countries. The

Fund has been established with the support of the Government of Norway.

The Fund seeks to provide assistance to youth-led NGOs to develop and implement projects that will contribute to

sustainable urbanization in the developing world. Young persons in the age group of 15 and 32 years can apply to

receive this support through legally registered organizations in developing countries. Persons above the age of 32

years can still take part in the projects demonstrating adult-youth partnerships. Involvement of girls and young

women in decision-making at all levels of the organization is another important criterion.

An interesting feature of the Fund is that it can also support organizations that are legally not registered but fulfill

other criteria set down in the application guidelines. Such an NGO needs to apply in partnership with a facilitating

organization that will receive and manage the funding on its behalf.

Proposed projects should be implemented at the grassroots within a city or town with more than 10,000 inhabitants.

The projects should promote youth participation in urban governance, pilot innovative approaches to adequate

shelter and secure tenure for youth; promote entrepreneurship and employment for youth; and support the

development of youth networks on sustainable urban development. The Fund can support projects of up to US

$25,000 for a period of twelve months.

Find out more

Call for Applications: Film Department Training 2011FilmAfrica!.

Deadline: 3 April 2011

Treasuring African stories and wanting to enable young talented filmmakers to reach a larger amount of viewers, the

independent film production company ONE FINE DAY FILMS developed with DW-AKADEMIE and GINGER INK a

training workshop concept called FilmAfrica!. It provides the instruction of young amateur filmmakers in various

departments by professional filmmakers, as well as the realization of a feature film as an on the job training that

conveys filmmaking in practice.

During the workshop a chosen group of talented young African filmmakers will get in contact with professional

filmmakers from all over the world who are pleased to share their know-how and knowledge with them.

Module 1 - Film Department Training

The training module is taking place from July 4th - 15th 2011 in Nairobi, Kenya. 5-10 applicants will be chosen into

the department listed below:

· Directing

· Script Writing

· Production

· Camera

· Production Design______________________________________________________________________________African Youth Human Rights Network March, 2011 15

Opportunities_______________________________________

and new this year: Film Acting

Apply Now! The completed Application Form must be received by April 3rd 2011 at application@film-africa.org

Module 2 - Feature Film Workshop (Film making and post production module)

The feature film is produced by ONE FINE DAY FILMS in co-production with GINGER INK and takes place in

October/November 2011. Participants of the Film Department Training (Module 1) will be chosen to attend the

Feature Film Production.

Please Note:

The training course is conducted free of charge. All teaching materials and relevant course related costs will be

covered by FilmAfrica!

During the workshop a free catering will be available for all participants, locals and from outside.

For participants coming from outside of Nairobi, Kenya, FilmAfrica! Will cover the following costs - within the limits of

pertinent German regulations -

· Accommodation for the duration of the workshop

· Costs for return journey between place of stay and Nairobi

· Travels and hotels will be organized in coordination with FilmAfrica!

There is no provision of per diems. Participants not living in Nairobi should bring enough means for individual

expenses to cover miscellaneous expenses, like phone calls home, laundry, and other individual costs. Furthermore

FilmAfrica! cannot take out health, third party-liability or accident insurance. Do not consider taking part on the

FilmAfrica! training program as a proper source of income.

We are looking forward to your application - more information on the workshop programme and FilmAfrica! can be

found on www.film-africa.org

The FilmAfrica! Workshop programme is a partnership project between the ONE FINE DAY FILMS, DW-AKADEMIE

and Ginger Ink. Films. It is supported by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development,

the Filmstiftung Nordrhein-Westfahlen and the Goethe-Institut Kenya.

Call for Nominations: 2011 Annual Awards for Excellence in HIV /AIDS Communication in Africa

Deadline: 30 April 2011

For more information please email infodesk@africomnet.org and visit www.africomnet.org

The African Network for Strategic Communication in Health and Development (AfriComNet) annual 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.

Opportunity type: Awards

Opportunity closing date: Sunday, May 1, 2011

The World Association for Christian Communication (WACC) is an organisation that promotes communication for

social change. WACC believes that communication is a basic human right that defines people's common humanity,

strengthens cultures, enables participation, creates community and challenges tyranny and oppression.

WACC invites photographers to submit inspirational photos illustrating people and communities working for zero

tolerance of HIV and AIDS stigma and discrimination, for its Photo Competition 2011.

Winning photos will be seen around the world, so preference will be given to photos that convey meaning without

relying on the written word. Photographers must take care to respect the wish of any person with HIV or AIDS who

does not want to be publicly identified.

The photos must be loaded on Flickr. Winners of the competition will be awarded cash prizes.

WACC Photo Competition 2011

_______________________________________

Opportunities_______________________________________

2012 Rotary Peace Fellowship

Deadline: 1 July 2011

Global Health Corps Fellowships

Deadline: 1 April 2011

Greetings from the Rotary Peace Centers Department! As members of the peace field you know, these are uncertain

times in our world. There is increasing dissent in North Africa, continued unrest in the Middle East and the ever-

present threat of nuclear violence around the world. Now, more than ever, there is growing demand for well trained

international leaders to promote peace. The Rotary Peace Fellowship program was developed to meet this very

need.

How to Apply

1. Download the application at: and carefully read over the fellowship's requirements

2. If your experience and future career goals align with the values of the Rotary Peace Fellowship, contact your local

Rotary Club or District to start the process. You can find your local club here

3. If you have trouble contacting a local club, please email Niki Fritz at

4. Applicants need to complete the application, participate in interviews at the club and district level, and sign all

forms.

5. Applications endorsed by your local club and district, are due to Rotary by 1 July 2011

The Global Health Corps, which aims to mobilize a global community of emerging leaders to build a movement for

health equity, is currently open to accepting applications for 2011-2012 fellowships with placements in United States

and other countries such as Burundi, Malawi, Rwanda and Uganda.

Global Health Corps Fellows must be under age 30 at the time of application; have an undergraduate university

degree by July 2011; and be proficient in English

For each placement, two fellows will be selected: One in-country fellow (citizen of the placement country), and one

international fellow (US citizens for placements in Africa; any non-US citizen for placements in the US).

The Program works to program works to build the movement for global health equity by:

·Increasing the impact of great organizations today: Fellows work with high-impact organizations in year-long paid positions. During their fellowship year, fellows make a significant and measurable contribution to the partner organization and the target population.

·Training and supporting the leaders of tomorrow: Over the course of the fellowship year, fellows participate in a wide range of activities aimed at increasing their effectiveness as practitioners and their development as leaders.

·Building a global community of changemakers: Fellows build a set of shared values, commitment and skills that they carry well beyond the fellowship year. The GHC community and alumni program serve as a source of opportunity and strength throughout fellows' lives and careers.

Deadlines:

·1 March 2011: Applications close for American Candidates

·1 April 2011: Applications close for International Candidates

Find out

www.rotary.org/rotarycenters

niki.fritz@rotary.org

more

_______________________________________African Youth Human Rights Network March, 2011 17

World of Children Health, Humanitarian, and Youth Leadership Awards

Deadline: 1 April 2011

The World of Children is an organisation that is dedicated in improving children's lives by identifying and recognising

extraordinary individuals who work on behalf of children in need. The organisation is also committed through their

awards programme to search the United States and the rest of the world for these selfless change makers. Their

awards and funds expand and leverage their vital work, thus creating a unique, worldwide network of child

advocates. Through three distinct awards, the World of Children seeks to honour and bring acclaim to outstanding

children's advocates and the work they do, as well as to raise public awareness about the issues affecting the

world's children.

Humanitarian Award

The Humanitarian Award recognises an individual who has made a significant lifetime contribution to children in the

areas of social services, education, or humanitarian services.

·The nominee must have created, managed, or otherwise supported a sustainable programme which has significantly contributed to children's opportunities to be safe, to learn, and to grow;

·The nominee must do this work over and above their normal employment;

·The nominee must have been doing this (or related work) for a minimum of 10 years;

·The nominee must have an existing nonprofit organisation in good standing, which can receive grant funds if awarded.

Health Award

The Health Award recognises an individual who has made a significant lifetime contribution to children in the fields of

health, medicine, or the sciences.

·The nominee must have created, managed, or otherwise supported a sustainable programme which has significantly contributed to the improved health of children;

·The nominee must do this work over and above their normal employment;

·The nominee must have been doing this (or related work) for a minimum of 10 years;

·The nominee must have an existing non-profit organisation in good standing, which can receive grant funds if awarded.

Founder's Award for Youth (Two Awards)

The Founder's Award recognises youth that are making extraordinary contributions to the lives of other children.

·The nominee must be under the age of 21;

·The nominee must be associated with an existing nonprofit organisation in good standing that can receive grant funds if awarded.

Cash awards range from US$25 000 for the Youth award to US$50 000 for the other awards.

Find out more

Opportunities_______________________________________

_______________________________________

Call for Entries:

Deadline: 1 April 2011

Call for Entries: Theoneminutes Africa Awards 2011

Deadline: 15 July 2011

Scenarios from Africa International Scriptwriting Competition

Deadline: 1 April 2011

World Of Children

The World of Children, an organisation that is dedicated to improving children's lives by identifying and recognising extraordinary individuals who work on behalf of children in need, invites entries for the Health, Humanitarian, and Youth Leadership Awards. The submission deadline is 1 April 2011. For more information, click .

The One Minutes Africa competition is a co-production of Townhouse Gallery and The One Minutes foundation and

is meant to specifically showcase the work of video makers in Africa. All videos submitted to The One Minutes Africa

competition will also be automatically submitted to The One Minutes Global competition. Find out

here

more

Scenarios from Africa

more

The is a filmmaking organisation that provides community mobilisation, education and media

processes about HIV/AIDS for young people. The organisation was launched in 1997 as Scenarios from the Sahel,

drawing inspiration from “3 000 Scenarios against a virus”, a project that was implemented in France between 1992

and 1994 by CRIPS and its partners.

The filmmaking organisation invites young Africans up to the age of 25 - on the continent and of the Diaspora - to

create a story for a short film on HIV/AIDS. African filmmakers will transform the winning scripts into short films,

which in turn will be dubbed into various languages and distributed free of charge on multiple media platforms,

including television (over 100 stations) and on the web (where more than 1.5 million web viewers have accessed the

films).

Open to individuals or teams of young Africans under the age of 25, the contest invites participants to submit an

original idea for a short film related to HIV/AIDS. Applicants submit a written description of up to 10 pages or a video

of up to 15 minutes in length. The films can take the form of a short story, a comic strip, or a song. The proposals are

examined by juries made up of: young people; specialists in HIV prevention, treatment, and care; people living with

HIV; and experts.

There will be 25 winners, each receiving a cash prize of US$125, as well as the possibility to have a film based on

their idea made and shown on television and the web. In addition, the top three winners will receive special cash

prizes: 1st place = US$2 500; 2nd place = US$1 250; and 3rd place = US$625. The adapted scripts will then be pre-

tested with the help of community-based organisations and support groups of people living with HIV. Then,

internationally acclaimed filmmakers from the region, working in tandem with African producers, will direct teams

made up of African actors and technicians to create the films.

Find out

_______________________________________

YOUTHAFRICAAFRICA YOUTHNetworkNetwork

HUMAN RIGHTS

Africa Youth Human Rights Network

www.facebook.com/theseareourrightswww.twitter.com/ourrightsafrica

www.theseareourrights.orginfo@theseareourrights.org

YouthAction