Africa Up Close

Below is our summary of an article that can be found on African Arguments. Please visit the original source as well.

An article posted on the blog African Arguments and written by Julie Gallagher, a lecturer on international relations at Royal Holloway, University of London, captures excellently not only the undercurrent of confusion and anxiety surrounding Zimbabwe’s upcoming July 31st elections, but profiles the independent citizens who are “holding the line” as election observers. Thus far, things have been peaceful. Amid calls for non-violence, the ZANU-PF of current President Mugabe and rival Tsvangirai’s MDT-C  have instead been taking media swipes at each other and are striving to motivate the populace for support. But that is not to say the buildup has been without event: flows of misinformation are prevalent; Mugabe was walked out on during a lengthy political speech on the 24th; Tsvangirai, meanwhile, was greeted by an empty venue; members of both parties have called for postponement; soldiers participating in early voting may have been forced to vote in front of commanding officers, and much more.

“In partnership with the United Kingdom’s Department for International Development and The William and Flora Hewlett Foundation, the International Development Research Centre is pleased to launch a call for research proposals on Growth and Economic Opportunities for Women (GrOW) – generating evidence on women’s economic empowerment, gender equality and growth in low-income countries. With a focus on sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia, this research program seeks to develop innovative ways for evidence to promote better policies and outcomes for women and for societies as a whole.”

Keep reading to learn more about this excellent research opportunity…

Women’s university photo used under Flickr Creative Commons

Keep reading for a list of some of the scholarships, fellowships and others opportunities we’ve found for Africans or those interested in the continent. For even more, take a look through our sources!

In 1945, Senator J. William Fulbright introduced a bill in the United States Congress that called for the use of surplus war property to fund the “promotion of international good will through the exchange of students in the fields of education, culture, and science.”

On August 1, 1946, President Harry S. Truman signed the bill into law, and Congress created the Fulbright Program.

From its inception, the Fulbright Program has fostered bilateral relationships in which citizens and governments of other countries work with the U.S. to set joint priorities and shape the program to meet shared needs. The world has been transformed in ensuing decades, but the fundamental principle of international partnership remains at the core of the Fulbright mission.

“Africare’s work begins where

the road ends.”

Thank you for your interest in career opportunities with Africare, one of the oldest development organizations working on the Continent.

Since 1970, Africare has been delivering humanitarian aid and economic assistance to Africa and working to improve the lives of millions of Africans, particularly in the areas of health, education, and agricultural development, with a specific emphasis on women and children.

Africare has traveled to more than 36 countries across the continent of Africa, moving through every imaginable terrain to reach and to meet communities where the needs are the greatest.

With over 1200 engaged employees, working in 23 countries, we are committed to working in partnership with African countries to build sustainable healthy and productive communities and be a leading voice on African development and policy issues.

Africare’s core programs include: Health, HIV/AIDS, Agriculture and Food Security. We are constantly searching for the perfect mix of new college talent and seasoned professionals to join our staff of superior technical expertise, and support our mission to improve the quality of life in Africa.

Africare is an equal opportunity employer and, in compliance with federal, state and/or city laws, does not discriminate in employment based on race, color, sex, religion, national origin, age, sexual orientation, marital status or disability. Minorities are encouraged to apply.

For more information, please visit: http://www.africare.org/about-us/jobs/index.php 

Open to doctoral students at universities based within the U.S. and first-year doctoral students based at universities within the following countries: Botswana, Kenya, Namibia, South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. 

Workshop dates:

Spring – May 19-24, 2013 in Washington, D.C.

Fall – September 25-29, 2013 in Johannesburg, South Africa

This field focuses on migration as a form of individual and collective empowerment in contexts of economic and physical precarity. Examining movements primarily within and from Africa, it considers mobility as both a response to and transforming agent of acute socio-political and economic uncertainty in sending and receiving sites. Whereas predominant framings of displacement underscore disempowerment, our premise is that whatever its motivation—ecological uncertainty, violence, poverty, or persecution—human mobility fundamentally represents an ‘empowerment strategy’ through which people actively work to ameliorate their condition. Mobility from and within situations of precarity can transform opportunity structures, redistribute resources across time and space, and generate new meanings that are both intended and unforeseen. The consequences are often far reaching, not only for migrants, but also for dependents left behind and for those with whom they live near and interact where they settle.

ACET is an independent, dynamic and responsive organization. We offer our staff an exceptional opportunity to engage with policy makers at the highest levels in African countries and to shape ACET’s work program, while contributing to growing a young dynamic organization. ACET offers a competitive remuneration package.

FISCAL POLICY EXPERT

Reports to the Extractives Resources Services Director

Role and Content of the Job

The primary purpose of this job is to lead in assisting governments formulate fiscal policy and structure the administrative arms such that the assessment, collection, expenditure and investment of revenues from natural resources is optimized. This will include policy guidelines for the laws governing the taxation regime, public expenditure planning, and revenue management to ensure value-add in upstream and downstream aspects of the industry.  The role will also encompass managing relations with partners and the regulatory arm of governments responsible for these matters.