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Athgo International Youth Climate Change and Constructive Entrepreneurship Global Forum 2011

The Global Innovation Forums bring together young people from around the world to facilitate outcome-oriented discussions with international decision-makers, corporate executives, diplomats, and area experts leading to constructive enterprise concepts. Leadership is challenged with unique and often surprising new takes on global issues while young entrepreneurs gain practical insights into policy realities, business parameters, and procedural requirements that enhance the viability of start-up ventures.

• The forums introduce:
  • Entrepreneurship
    • Essentials – process and the four pillars/capitals (intellectual, financial, networking, and inner)
    • Types (classic, social, and constructive)
  • Innovation
    • Essentials (thought process, necessary conditions, etc.)
    • Types (continuous and transformational)
  • The role of information communication technology (ICT) and sustainable energy sources in addressing the United Nations Millennium Development Goals

• The forums innovate commercially viable constructive enterprise concepts
  • Group induced
  • Individually designed

Climate Change and Constructive Entrepreneurship

Fourth Annual Global Forum
World Bank Headquarters, Washington D.C.
August 10-12, 2011
In Partnership with The World Bank, Speaker's Bureau

Read more here http://www.athgo.org

Climbing Hills To Communicate

It is usually a laughable joke in many parts of Kenya to tell someone to climb a mountain if they are experiencing network problems while communicating on mobile phones. In Dukana, in Marsabit North district however, that would not sound funny to anyone, because hill tops are the only places to find network. Sylvia Chebet was in the area and climbed one of the tallest hills with the residents searching for the fickle network. This story impressed the judges at the CNN African Journalist of the Year Awards 2011. Citizen TV's reporter Sylvia Chebet and cameraman Kimani Githae were among the finalists for filing the report on the troubles the people of Dukana in Marsabit County who were going through some time last year just to make a call on their cellphones. After the story was aired 3 months later Safaricom one of Kenya's leading mobile network providers installed their network there. The competition received over 1200 entries from 42 countries in Africa. The winners will be announced on 25th June in Johannesburg, South Africa.

The Young Professionals Program (YPP) at the African Development Bank (AfDB) Group 2011

The YPP targets motivated and talented young professionals under thirty-two (32) years of age, who are committed to making a difference on the African continent and who will spend between two (2) and three (3) years of their professional career in a multicultural, and professionally stimulating environment at the African Development Bank.

The Bank seeks individuals skilled in the areas relevant to its operations, such as infrastructure, regional integration, health, education, agriculture, climate change and environment, gender, finance and risk management, governance and private sector development.

The Bank hires approximately twenty (20) young professionals each year. Upon acceptance of offer and entry, these YPs complete a mandatory minimum of two and maximum of three rotational assignments in different organizational units and sectors within the Bank. The YPs will undergo on-the-job training that will prepare them for a successful and rewarding career path upon completion of the Program. It may be noted that completion of the Program does not guarantee a position within the Bank.

Read more here http://www.afdb.org

Islamic Conference Youth Forum for Dialogue and Cooperation (ICYF-DC) Istanbul, Turkey 11-17th July, 2011.

Islamic Conference Youth Forum for Dialogue and Cooperation (ICYF-DC) an international institution affiliated to the Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC) in cooperation with several national and international partners such as the OIC, UNDP and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Turkey*, will organize an international relations training program entitled *“International Model of the OIC” (IMOIC)*. *IMOIC* will take place on 11-17 July, 2011* at the Sabanci University (Istanbul,Turkey) with 250 students from the top tire of Universities in 57 OIC Member States.

It's aim is to create an academic simulation of the Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC) that aims to educate participants about civics, current events, effective communication and multilateral diplomacy. It will also help to create a network between OIC Universities and Youth Organizations. OIC is an International Institution that has 57 Member States ( http://www.oic-oci.org/member_states.asp), and 5 Observer States (http://www.oic-oci.org/page_detail.asp?p_id=179), from each state there will be a university represented by a team/delegation of 3 most outstanding students. All local costs are covered by ICYF-DC, direct-return flight ticket for one delegate will be covered by ICYF-DC, for remaining two delegates - by their University.

The Secretariat would like to kindly invite for participation in the Program teams, one from each University, consisting of 3 most outstanding students as delegates. To get Application Forms, as well as invitation letter please contact Mrs. Nebat Karahanova, Director at Training, Research and Educational Department of ICYF-DC (E-mail: n.karahanova@icyf-dc.org and karahanova@imoic.org and karahanova@gmail.com ; Tel: + 90 212 465 39 39; Fax: + 90 212 465 36 70).
The organizers will provide direct return air travel for 1 delegate and your university is kindly requested to cover direct return air travel costs for remaining 2 delegates. Organizers will also bear the costs for providing of local hospitality including accommodation, meals and local transportation for all delegates.

Thank you all in advance,
Best Wishes,
--
Nebat Karakhanova
Director,
Training, Research and
Education Department
ICYF-DC
Tel.: +90 212 465 39 39
Fax.: +90 212 465 36 70

Should African Countries Dollarise?

Zimbabwe's inflation eased in March to 2.7 per cent, down from 3.0 per cent in February, thanks to lower prices for telecommunications and medicine, the government said Friday.

The southern African country suffered a decade of runaway prices amid hyperinflation.

The economy stabilised after the government abandoned the worthless local currency in 2009, allowing trade in US dollars and other major foreign currencies.

The formation of a power-sharing government in 2009 by the main political rivals President Robert Mugabe and Morgan Tsvangirai has also brought stability to the economy.

But foreign investors have maintained a wait-and-see stance amid concerns over new equity regulations which seek to give locals majority stakes in foreign-owned companies.

Read more here http://www.africareview.com/

GREEN ECONOMY AND STRUCTURAL TRANSFORMATION CALL FOR PAPERS

AFRICAN ECONOMIC CONFERENCE 2011
ADDIS ABABA, ETHIOPIA - OCTOBER 26-28, 2011

A key challenge facing the African continent today and for many years to come relates to the

impact of climate changes and the transition to a ‘green-economy’. While Africa is least
responsible for the climate change challenges the world is facing, it is still the most vulnerable
to the impacts of the changing climate...Taking into account the huge opportunities for a green economy in Africa, and given the challenges faced by African countries in essential areas such as agriculture and energy, the Sixth edition of the African Economic Conference will be devoted to “Green Economy and Structural Transformation in Africa”. The meeting which is being organised by the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA), the African Development Bank (AfDB) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) will be held in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia from 26 – 28 October, 2011. It is expected to bring together experts, intellectuals and development partners to discuss emerging opportunities and challenges for a green economy in Africa. The Conference will make concrete recommendations that may inform Africa’s position at the 2012 United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development.

Time Frame and Resources
The selection of papers and panels for the 2011 AEC will follow a two stage process:
(i)initial screening based on submitted abstracts; a conditional acceptance will be issued and (ii)
final selection based on full manuscript. The following important dates will serve to guide
participants and experts submitting papers for the Conference:
• Start of online submission (abstract or panel proposal + CV): March 7, 2011
• Last day for online submission: April 25, 2011
• Notification of conditional acceptance: June 15, 2011
• Paper submission deadline: August 15, 2011
• Initial peer-review of manuscripts: August 15 – September 15, 2011
• Papers sent to authors for revisions: September 15, 2011
• Submission of first revised manuscripts: September 30, 2011
• Closing of flight bookings: October 10, 2011
• Conference dates: October 26 – 28, 2011.
• Submission of second revised manuscripts: November 15, 2011

Submission of Abstracts and Panel Proposals
The organisers welcome abstracts for papers and panel proposals around the aforementioned
themes. Submissions that cut across one or more themes are also welcome. All submissions
should be made to NNwokoma@uneca.org
Scholars and practitioners wishing to submit an abstract should please send the following:
1. A full paper (encouraged) or an abstract of 200-300 words
2. Three to five keywords describing the paper topic (that should be in line with the
Conference themes)
3. Name, affiliation, contact information and a short biography of author for the
programme (not exceeding 100 words).
4. A full CV of the author.


Read more here http://www.uneca.org/AEC/2011/AEC2011Call-forPapers.pdf

DEMOCRACY AND GOOD GOVERNANCE IN AFRICA

Kenyan prime minister Raila Odinga spoke at CSIS about the “democracy deadlock” in Africa. During an event hosted by CSIS Africa Program deputy director Richard Downie, the prime minister stated that the democratization movement of the 1990s is being undermined by a new pattern of failing elections. Reversing this trend is of paramount importance, he said, given that 21 African nations are heading to the polls in 2011. Mr. Odinga said he had learned from personal experience that power-sharing governments are not a viable solution to disputed election outcomes.

The prime minister discussed the recent election crisis in Cote d’Ivoire, comparing it to the contentious 2007 election in Kenya. Mr. Odinga had urged the losing candidate, Laurent Gbagbo, to step aside, but Gbagbo refused to put his country ahead of his personal ambition.

Despite Africa’s election crises, Mr. Odinga said he remains an Afro-optimist and is confident that the will of the people will prevail with the help of civil society and the rising middle class.

Read more here http://csis.org

IBRAHIM LEADERSHIP FELLOWSHIPS

The Mo Ibrahim Foundation, in partnership with three of the world’s most influential multilateral organisations, announces the launch of the Ibrahim Leadership Fellowships programme. Working with the African Development Bank (AfDB), the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA), and the World Trade Organization (WTO) the Fellowships Programme will help to prepare the next generation of outstanding African leaders by providing them with unique mentoring opportunities.

Having identified a lack of opportunities for aspiring leaders across Africa to gain critical experience at the highest levels of multilateral organisations, the Mo Ibrahim Foundation has worked with these partners to create the Fellowships. The AfDB, UNECA, and WTO will each host an Ibrahim Fellow in their executive offices. The expectation is that Ibrahim Fellows will go on to play a major role in the governance and development of the African continent.

In announcing the programme, Mo Ibrahim, Founder and Chair of the Foundation said, “Anyone travelling around Africa today will be impressed by the rising generation of new talent across business and politics that is shaping the continent’s future. The Fellowships will give a select group the experience and training they need to play a leading role in furthering our continent.”

Ibrahim Fellows will be selected by the institutions in conjunction with the Mo Ibrahim Foundation and will take part in a 12 month fellowship with one of the participating organisations. They will be young professionals, mid-career and new executives under the age of forty, or forty-five for women with children. The Fellows will be nationals of an African country with 7-10 years of relevant work experience and a Master’s Degree. They will support the work of the institution to further promote the economic development of the continent.

Speaking on behalf of the AfDB, President Donald Kaberuka said, “The Ibrahim Fellowships Programme will ensure there is a growing pipeline of future African leaders who have the experience and ability to build strong African economies. The African Development Bank is delighted to host one of the first Ibrahim Fellows.”

Expressing his support for the new programme, Abdoulie Janneh, Executive Secretary of UNECA said, “We are proud to be an inaugural partner of the new Ibrahim Fellowships Programme. We share Mo Ibrahim’s determination to inspire outstanding leaders in Africa and expose them to the challenges of African integration. This programme is another step towards a better future for our people.”

More information on eligibility and the application process for the Ibrahim Fellowships Programme will be available on the Foundation’s website: www.moibrahimfoundation.org.

AfDB Reviews Youth Employment in Fragile States

Youth unemployment situation in Africa in general and the challenges it poses in fragile states in particular was the subject of a brainstorming session organized by the Bank’s Fragile State Unit (OSFU) on Thursday, 7 April 2010. Discussions on the theme: “Job Creation in Fragile and Conflict-Affected Situations,” helped to enrich the Bank’s knowledge base, and other participants on generating and sustaining gainful and productive employment for youth in fragile and conflict-affected countries. Apart from experts from the Bank’s Chief Economist’s Office, (ECON), the Private Sector (OPSM) and Human Development Department (OSHD), other participants came from the World Bank, International Labor Organization (ILO) and OECD.

While highlighting country specific characteristics which should be taken into consideration when developing youth employment programs in fragile states and member countries, participants underscored the need to generate sustainable and meaningful jobs. They also emphasized the need to address security and rule of law problems in post-conflict states. In this regard, some participants suggested that the youth were not always involved in conflict and violence just because they were idle and unemployed.

The participants noted that the main drivers of youth unemployment in Africa include:

• Lack of employment opportunities due to the level of underdevelopment of the economies propelled into a vicious cycle of higher rates of unemployment and underemployment and limited growth;
• High rates of population growth;
• Sluggish or stagnant economies
• Small formal private sector ;
• Low literacy and numeracy rates;
• Poor quality education and an education sector that increasingly equips young people with limited industrial skills.

The seminar further looked at the role of the private sector in fragile states, particularly in view of the high risk business environment that exists in these countries. In conclusion, participants emphasized the need for public sector accountability and effective management mechanisms. Insufficient good governance mechanisms in Africa should therefore be addressed, the participants concluded.

Read more here http://www.afdb.org

African Youth Forum

Read more here http://www.africa-youth.org

QUESTS MIDA

QUESTS-MIDA is a joint project between UNDP and IOM that uses skills and expertise from qualified Somali expatriates from the diaspora and provides opportunities for applying those skills for the benefit and development of Somalia.

The number of Somalis living in the diaspora has increased in size, geographical scope, professionalism and influence in the last decades. It is estimated that about one million Somalis are living abroad. QUESTS-MIDA wishes to tap into this pool of knowledge in order to assist institutional development and capacity-building of beneficiary institutions in Somalia

QUESTS-MIDA is part of the Somali Institutional Development Project (SIDP) and builds upon UNDP Somalia’s previous QUESTS project . Also, this partnership makes use of IOM’s rich experience in Migration for Development in Africa (MIDA)

QUESTS-MIDA’s objective is to offer qualified Somali expatriates the opportunity to play a role in the development of their homeland through short-term capacity-building missions.

Who is eligible to participate in QUESTS-MIDA?

Qualified Somali Expatriates
Eligibility will focus on qualifications that match the criteria per specific QUESTS-MIDA assignments such as:

• Documented evidence of living abroad with legal residency or nationality status outside Somalia, including proof of right-of-return to the same country. (Neither UNDP nor IOM will be responsible for the status determination process);
• University degree (Bachelor’s, Masters, PhD);
• Relevant work experience;
• At least 25 years of age (there may not be an upper age limit, but a medical certificate will be required);
• Somali-language proficient, as well as English;
• Ability to work in partnerships and adjust to difficult living conditions;
• Genuine interest and commitment to the development of Somalia and a willingness to share skills, knowledge and experience.

JUNIOR Applicant

• Minimum five years of relevant working experience in a professional area;

MID LEVEL Applicant

• Minimum eight years of relevant working experience in a professional area.

SENIOR Applicant

• Minimum ten years of relevant working experience in a professional area

Qualified Somali women in the diaspora are encouraged to apply to vacancies and participate in the project.

Read more here http://www.quests-mida.org/index.php/home

MILEAD Fellows Program 2011

Moremi Initiative for Women’s Leadership in Africa is pleased to announce its call for applications for the 2011 Moremi Leadership Empowerment and Development (MILEAD) Fellows Program.

The MILEAD Fellows Program is a one-year leadership development program designed to identify, develop and promote emerging young African Women leaders to attain and succeed in leadership in their community and Africa as a whole. The program targets dynamic young women interested in developing transformational leadership skills that help them tackle issues affecting women in their communities and society as a whole. Applications are welcome from young African women living in Africa and the Diaspora.

MILEAD fellowship awards will be made to 25 young women with exceptional qualities who have exhibited leadership potential in their community, organization, and/or profession. To be eligible for the one-year program, an applicant must be African, living on the continent or in the Diaspora; agree to participate in all required activities related to MILEAD including a three-week residential Summer Institute in August; and commit to a community leadership service project. Applicant must be between 19 - 25 years of age. Specific requirements of the program and related dates are outlined in the application package.

Please note that this is not a full-time fellowship. Selected candidates may remain full time students or work full time for the program duration, except during the 3–week summer institute. The 3-week summer institute is an intensive and full-time residential program and all fellows will be required to attend. The rest of the program involves community-based, online and other distance activities.

We invite you to forward the enclosed MILEAD application materials to emerging young African Women leaders with the potential to help transform Africa.

The deadline for completed MILEAD Fellows applications to be submitted for review is March 30, 2011.

Download application Package for Year 2011 MILEAD Fellows as PDF or DOC

For more application forms or additional information, please contact: http://moremiinitiative.org/