Author: African Women's Development Fund

As part of the African Women in Film Forum, The Witches of Gambaga and On the Border will be screened for FREE at Alliance Francaise (Accra) on Monday, 23rd September from 6pm.

I first saw ‘The Witches of Gambaga‘ at its premiere during the 3rd African Feminist Forum in Dakar, Senegal. I then watched the documentary again during it’s premiere in Ghana, and at the 2011 FESPACO (Pan African Film and Television Festival) where it won 2nd prize in the Best Documentary category. Each time the film has had a profound effect on me. It’s mind boggling to think that in this day and age women (and a few men) can be accused of witchcraft, and have to seek refuge for their lives in camps under the benevolence of a chief. Because of my work with the African Women’s Development Fund (AWDF), which also supported The Witches of Gambaga at its post production stage, I have had the opportunity to visit Gambaga as part of our monitoring visits to the women’s rights organisations AWDF supports. Life at the Gambaga camp is tough. When you watch the documentary you will realise that women with homes, businesses and an independent life of their own have had to flee to these camps because they have been accused of witchcraft. In the camps they have to work for long hours on the farms of the chief under whose benevolence they live. It’s a difficult life, and one from which there appears to be little way out. This is a film that I recommend everyone to see.

I am also really looking forward to watching ‘On the Borders’ directed by Tsitsi Dangarembga. Internationally, Tsitsi is arguably best known for her 1989 novel “Nervous Conditions” which was recently named as one of the Best Twelve African Books of the 20th Century. What people may not know is the pivotal role that Tsitsi has played in developing Zimbabwe’s film industry. A description of ‘On the Border’ states:

The world is horrified at the devastation caused by anti-personnel mines in many countries. At the same time while many things have been reported about Zimbabwe recently, few people know about the the legacy of minefields that were planted by the colonial Rhodesian troops in the late 1970s – except of course the people who live in or adjacent to this minefields. Also less well known are the efforts being made to rid Zimbabwe of this menace. This film portraits the work of Zimbabweans and men of other nationalities who enter the minefields to open up land and make Zimbabwe’s border safer. Yet it could well be true that in Zimbabwe, as in other countries where anti personnel mines were used in warfare, the last victim has not yet been born.

The best part of the screening is that the general public will have the opportunity to interact with the filmmakers Tsitsi and Yaba during the question and answer session facilitated by Anita Erskine of Brand Woman Africa, one of the sponsors of the AWIFF. This will be an opportunity to watch thought provoking films, and to learn more about the filmmakers who made these films.

Will I see you there?

Nana Darkoa

With the kind support of Institut Français du Ghana, the African Women’s Development Fund (AWDF) invites Ghanaian film makers to register for a one to one 45-minute appointment with François d’Artemare as part of the 2nd African Women in Film Forum (AWIFF), 23rd-25th September 2013. The aim of this activity is to provide expert advice and mentoring on preparing your artistic project for the international market. Filmmakers should register for this unique opportunity by emailing specialprograms@africlub.net/awdf with a short bio by Wednesday 18th September.

On Wednesday, 23rd September, 3.30pm-4.30pm, François d’Artemare will also lead a discussion as part of the AWIFF on:
Identifying Producers, Co-Producers and Film Project Development
This session will focus on how to find producers and co-producers for your film project. This will include the artistic development of a project, and practical insights on how to meet key people in the film industry, whilst gaining recognition in the international film world.

François D’Artemare is the founder of Les Films de l’Après-Midi, a company that has actively produced features films for 12 years. D’Artemare’s productions include: Bosnia (DJECA – Special Mention of the Jury, Un Certain Regard, Cannes 2012 and SNOW by Aida Begic – International Critics’ Week Grand Prix Award, Cannes 2008), Portugal (THE STRANGE CASE OF ANGELICA by Manoel de Oliveira – Cannes 2010: opening of Un Certain Regard), Brazil (FOUR FOR NONE by Alice de Andrade – Rotterdam 2005), Angola (THE HERO by Zeze Gamboa – World Cinema Dramatic Jury Prize at Sundance Film Festival 2005). He and his associate are credited with discovering many talents especially from Portugal. Les Films de l’Après-Midi are committed to supporting young filmmakers (Aida Begic, Hiwot Admasu, Balint Kenyeres, João Salaviza), and also develop projects by established directors such as Manoel de Oliveira and Flora Gomes.

Excited to announce that staff of AWDF will be actively taking part in the 2013 Blog Action Day

The subject of human rights, and women’s rights is one that is especially close to our thoughts.

Join us in blogging and share your stories of human rights

 

[tp lang=”en” not_in=”fr”]The 2^nd African Women in Film Forum (AWIFF) will take place from the 23^rd to 25^th of September in Accra, Ghana. The African Women’s Development Fund (AWDF) convenes this event in partnership with Alliance Française Accra, Brand Woman Africa, National Film and Television Institute (NAFTI), Institut Francais and the Lufodo Academy of Performing Arts in Nigeria. The theme for this year’s AWIFF is ‘Creating Compelling Social Justice Content for Film and Television’.

 

Speakers include Ade Solanke, who wrote the screenplay for Nigerian director Tunde Kelani’s forthcoming film, Dazzling Mirage; Akosua Adoma Owusu, Director of KWAKU ANANSE; Amaka Igwe who has to her credit production of over 400 hours of TV programming and movies; Anita Afonu, Director of Perished Diamonds; Anita Erskine, Host of Making of a Mogul; Dr Beti Ellerson, Director for the Centre for the Study and Research of African Women in Cinema; Dr Sionne Neely, Knowledge Management Specialist at AWDF; Dr Yaba Blay, Assistant Teaching Professor of Africana Studies at Drexel University and Consulting Producer for CNN’s Black in America 5 – Who is Black in America?; François d’Artemare, Founder of Les Films de l’Après-Midi; Korkor Amarteifio, Associate Director of the Institute for Music and Development; Kwaw Ansah, Director of Love Brewed in the African Pot; Lodi Matsetela, script writer and producer of Society, originally flighted on South African Broadcasting Corporation; Prof. Linus Abraham, Rector of NAFTI; Sarah Bouyain, Director of Notre Etrangere/The Place in Between; Sarah Mukasa, Director of Programmes, AWDF; Sefi Atta, playwright and author of Everything Good Will Come; Stéphanie Soleansky, Cultural Affairs Attaché at Institut Français du Ghana; Tsitsi Dangarembga, author of Nervous Conditions; Vicentia Akwetey, Dean of Studies, NAFTI; Veronica Q-Nai, writer and director behind A Call at Midnight and Yaba Badoe, Director and Co-Producer of The Witches of Gambaga.

 

Nana Darkoa Sekyiamah, Communications Specialist, AWDF states “The general public in Accra, Ghana can participate in the AWIFF by attending the free film festival. On the 23^rd of September we will be screening ‘On The Border’ by Tsitsi Dangarembga and ‘The Witches of Gambaga’ by Yaba Badoe at Alliance Française Accra from 6pm. On the 24^th of September we will be screening ‘Perished Diamonds’ by Anita Afonu and ‘Notre Etrangere/The Place in Between’ by Sarah Bouyain at NAFTI from 6pm. Both Screenings will be followed by a question and answer session between Anita Erskine of Brand Woman Africa, and the filmmakers.”[/tp]

[tp lang=”fr” not_in=”en”]La seconde édition de l’African Women in Film Forum (AWIFF) se tiendra du 23 au 25 Septembre à Accra au Ghana. Le Fonds Africain de Développement de la Femme (AWDF) réalise cet évènement en partenariat avec Alliance Française Accra, Brand Woman Africa, National Film and Television Institute (NAFTI), Institut Francais et The Lufodo Academy of Performing Arts au Nigeria. Le thème de l’édition de cette année de l’AWIFF est ‘Créer un contenu convaiquant sur la justice sociale pour le Cinéma et la télévision’.

 

Parmis les intervenants Ade Solanke, qui a écrit le scénario pour la réalisatrice nigeriane Tunde Kelani’s du prochain, Dazzling Mirage; Akosua Adoma Owusu, Directrice de KWAKU ANANSE; Amaka Igwe qui a à son actif la production de plus de 400 heures de programmes TV et films; Anita Afonu, réalisatrice de Perished Diamonds; Anita Erskine, animatrice de Making of a Mogul; Dr Beti Ellerson, Directrice du Centre pour les Etudes et la Recherche des Femmes Africaines dans le Cinéma; Dr Sionne Neely, Spécialiste de la gestion du savoir chez AWDF; Dr Yaba Blay, Professeure Assistante de l’Africana Studies à Drexel University et productrice consultante pour CNN, pour Black in America 5 – Who is Black in America?; François d’Artemare, fondateur Des Films de l’Après-Midi; Korkor Amarteifio, Directeur associé de l’Institute for Music and Development; Kwaw Ansah, réalisateur de Love Brewed in the African Pot; Lodi Matsetela, scénariste et producteur de Society, originellement lancé sur South African Broadcasting Corporation; Prof. Linus Abraham, Recteur de NAFTI; Sarah Bouyain, réalisatrice de Notre Etrangere/The Place in Between; Sarah Mukasa, directrice des programmes à AWDF; Sefi Atta, dramaturge et auteure d’Everything Good Will Come; Stéphanie Soleansky, attachée des affaires culturelles à l’Institut Français du Ghana; Tsitsi Dangarembga, auteure de Nervous Conditions; Vicentia Akwetey, Doyen des études, NAFTI; Veronica Q-Nai, écrivaine et réalisatrice derrière A Call at Midnight et Yaba Badoe, réalisatrice et co-productrice de The Witches of Gambaga.

 

Nana Darkoa Sekyiamah, Spécialiste Communications à AWDF déclare “Le grand puclic à Accra, Ghana peut participer au AWIFF en assistant aux trois festivals de film. Le 23 Septembre sera projeté ‘On The Border’ de Tsitsi Dangarembga et ‘The Witches of Gambaga’ par Yaba Badoe à l’Alliance Française d’Accra à partir de 6h. Le 24 Septembre nous projetterons ‘Perished Diamonds’ d’Anita Afonu et ‘Notre Etrangere/The Place in Between’ de Sarah Bouyain à NAFTI à partir de 6h. Chacune des projections seront suivient par un échange entre Anita Erskine de Brand Woman Africa, et les réalisateurs.”[/tp]

In 2010, the African Women’s Development Fund (AWDF) convened the first African Women in Film Forum (AWIFF) in partnership with the Lufudo Academy of Performing Arts in Nigeria led by Joke Silva, acclaimed Nollywood actress. This initial AWIFF focused on the theme ‘Nollywood: Women and the Dynamics of Representation’.

Three years later the AWIFF is being convened in Accra, Ghana, with a broad range of partners including Alliance Française (Accra), Brand Woman Africa, Institut Français du Ghana, National Film and Television Institute (NAFTI), and the Lufudo Academy of Performing Arts (LAPA). The theme for this year is ‘Creating compelling social justice content for film and television’ with an exciting line up of speakers including:

• Ade Solanke, who wrote the screenplay for Nigerian director Tunde Kelani’s forthcoming film, Dazzling Mirage

• Akosua Adoma Owusu, Director of KWAKU ANANSE

• Amaka Igwe who has to her credit production of over 400 hours of TV programming and movies

• Anita Afonu, Director of Perished Diamonds

• Anita Erskine, Host of Making of a Mogul

• Dr Beti Ellerson, Director for the Centre for the Study and Research of African Women in Cinema

• Dr Sionne Neely, Knowledge Management Specialist at AWDF

• Dr Yaba Blay, Assistant Teaching Professor of Africana Studies at Drexel University and Consulting Producer for CNN’s Black in America 5 – Who is Black in America?

• François d’Artemare, Founder of Les Films de l’Après-Midi

• Korkor Amarteifio, Associate Director of the Institute for Music and Development

• Kwaw Ansah, Director of Love Brewed in the African Pot

• Lodi Matsetela, script writer and producer of Society, originally flighted on South African Broadcasting Corporation

• Prof. Linus Abraham, Rector of NAFTI

• Sarah Bouyain, Director of Notre Etrangere/The Place in Between

• Sarah Mukasa, Director of Programmes, AWDF;

• Sefi Atta, playwright and author of Everything Good Will Come

• Stéphanie Soleansky, Cultural Affairs Attaché at Institut Français du Ghana

• Tsitsi Dangarembga, author of Nervous Conditions

• Vicentia Akwetey, Dean of Studies, NAFTI

• Veronica Q-Nai, writer and director behind A Call at Midnight

• Yaba Badoe, Director and Co-Producer of The Witches of Gambaga

 

The general public in Ghana is invited to interact with speakers and participants of the AWIFF through a 2 day film festival made possible by sponsorship from Brand Woman Africa.

 

Date: Monday 23^rd September 2013

Film screenings: The Witches of Gambaga by Yaba Badoe and On the Border by Tsitsi Dangarembga

Venue: Alliance Francaise (Accra),

Time: 6pm

 

Date: Tuesday 24^th September 2013

Film screenings: Perished Diamonds by Anita Afonu and Notre Etrangere/The Place in Between with Sarah Bouyain

Venue: NAFTI

Time: 6pm

 

Filmmakers based in Ghana who wish to participate in the AWIFF can email specialprograms@africlub.net/awdf for more information

To learn even more about the AWIFF read an interview on the African Women in Cinema Blog with Nana Darkoa Sekyiamah, Communications Specialist, AWDF.

[tp lang=”en” not_in=”fr”]The Aspen Institute New Voices Fellowship seeks nominations for coaching and media skills program for next generation of global development leaders

WASHINGTON, DC, Sept 4, 2013 — The Aspen Institute’s New Voices Fellowship today announced a call for nominations for the 2014 Fellowship class. The groundbreaking program is designed to amplify expert voices from Africa and other parts of the developing world in the global development discussion.

 

The Fellowship initiative, supported by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, offers development experts a year-long program of media support, training, research, and writing under the guidance of experienced mentors and trainers to help them reach a broader global audience through both traditional and new media and speaking engagements.

 

Candidates for the 12-14 Fellowships awarded each year must be experts in fields relating to global development, ranging from global health and food security to governance, education and social entrepreneurship. Fellows must be from a developing country, and ideally work and live in their country of origin or another developing country.

 

“Experts from developing countries are underrepresented in the global development discussion despite the fact that they often have the clearest, most direct and most personal understanding of the challenges and opportunities ahead,” said Andrew Quinn, director of the New Voices Fellowship at the Aspen Institute. “Our program aims to promote their stories, and connect them to opinion makers around the world.”

 

Over the course of a year, the Fellowship works to prepare and support Fellows to become recognized thought leaders, helping amplify their insights and ideas rooted in experience on the ground. They will be given training and support to speak at major events; write conversation-starting op-eds and thought pieces for major outlets; and create social media platforms. The Fellowship is non-resident, but includes travel to training workshops as well as opportunities for travel to select international conferences.

 

The recipients of the inaugural Aspen Institute’s New Voices Fellowship are 12 accomplished African men and women from 10 different countries across the continent. They are entrepreneurs, doctors, community leaders, academics, and educators with on-the-ground experience on a range of issues: medicine, HIV/AIDS, gender equality, public health, civil unrest, climate change, and poverty.

 

Current Fellows have had their work featured in media sites ranging from CNN and Al Jazeera to the Huffington Post, Think Africa Press, and AllAfrica.com. Fellows have been interviewed by news organizations including the BBC, CNBC, and National Public Radio (NPR), and been invited to speak at events including TED.

 

Application to the Fellowship is by nomination only through the program website at www.aspennewvoices.org/nominations/. The nomination period opens on September 4 and will close on November 20, 2013. The incoming class will be announced in January 2014.

 

 

The New Voices Fellowship

The New Voices Fellowship at the Aspen Institute is a groundbreaking initiative designed to bring more expert voices from the developing world into the global development discussion. Launched in 2013 with support from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, the New Voices Fellowship is part of Aspen Global Health and Development. For more information, visit www.aspennewvoices.org or email us at aspennewvoices@aspeninst.org. Follow all the Fellows on Twitter at @aspennewvoices.

 

The Aspen Institute

The Aspen Institute is an educational and policy studies organization based in Washington, DC. Its mission is to foster leadership based on enduring values and to provide a nonpartisan venue for dealing with critical issues. The Institute is based in Washington, DC; Aspen, Colorado; and on the Wye River on Maryland’s Eastern Shore. It also has offices in New York City and an international network of partners. For more information, visit www.aspeninstitute.org.[/tp]

[tp lang=”fr” not_in=”en”]L’Institut Aspen New Voices Fellowship est à la recherche de candidatures pour son programme de coaching et compétences des médias pour la prochaine génération de leaders mondiaux dans le développement

 

WASHINGTON, DC, le 4 septembre 2013 -Aspen Institute’s New Voices Fellowship a aujourd’hui lancé un appel de candidatures pour ses ‘Fellowship Class’ de 2014. Le programme novateur est conçu pour amplifier les voix des experts de l’Afrique et d’autres parties du monde en développement dans le débat mondial sur le développement.

 

 

L’initiative de bourses, soutenue par la Fondation Bill & Melinda Gates, offre aux experts en développement un programme d’un an de formation, recherche, support, et d’écriture médiat sous la direction de mentors et de formateurs expérimentés pour les aider à atteindre un public mondial plus large grâce à la fois des allocutions traditionnelle et l’utilisation des nouveaux médias.

 

Les candidats aux 12-14 bourses attribuées chaque année doivent être des experts dans les domaines liés au développement mondial, allant de la santé mondiale et la sécurité alimentaire à la gouvernance, l’éducation et l’entrepreneuriat social. Les boursiers doivent être d’un pays en développement, et travailler idéalement et vivre dans leur pays d’origine ou dans un autre pays en développement.

 

“Les experts de pays en développement sont sous-représentées dans les débats globaux de développement en dépit du fait qu’ils ont souvent la meilleure compréhension, plus directe et plus personnelle des défis et des opportunités à venir”, a déclaré Andrew Quinn, directeur de la New Voices Fellowshipà l’Institut Aspen . «Notre programme vise à promouvoir leurs histoires, et les relier aux faiseurs d’opinion dans le monde entier.”

Au cours d’une année, le Mouvement travaille à préparer et soutenir les boursiers pour devenir des leaders reconnus, aidant à amplifier leurs points de vue et des idées enracinées dans l’expérience sur le terrain. Ils recevront une formation et des soutiens pour prendre la parole lors d’événements majeurs; écrire des éditoriaux de conversations et à des pièces pour les principaux points de la pensée; et de créer des plates-formes de médias sociaux. La bourse est non-résidente, mais comprend des Voyage à des ateliers de formation ainsi que des possibilités de Voyage pour sélectionner des conférences internationales.

 

 

Les récipiendaires de la première Aspen Institute’s New Voices Fellowship étaient 12 hommes africains accomplis et les femmes de 10 pays différents à travers le continent. Ce sont des entrepreneurs, des médecins, des dirigeants communautaires, des universitaires et éducateurs sur le terrain d’expérience sur un éventail de questions: la médecine, le VIH / sida, l’égalité des sexes, la santé publique, de troubles civils, le changement climatique et la pauvreté.

 

Les membres actuels ont eu leur travail présenté dans les sites de médias allant de CNN et Al Jazeera au Huffington Post, Think Africa Press et AllAfrica.com. Les boursiers ont été interrogés par les agences de presse, y compris la BBC, CNBC, et la National Public Radio (NPR), et ont été invités à prendre la parole lors d’événements, y compris TED.

 

 

La candidature à la Bourse se fait par nomination uniquement par le site Web du programme à www.aspennewvoices.org/nominations/. La période de nomination ouvre le 4 Septembre et se terminera le 20 Novembre, 2013. La classe entrant sera annoncé en Janvier 2014.

 

 

 

New Voices Fellowship

La Bourse New Voices de l’Institut Aspen est une initiative novatrice visant à apporter plus de voix d’experts des pays en développement dans le débat mondial sur le développement. Lancé en 2013 avec le soutien de la Fondation Bill & Melinda Gates, le New Voices Fellowship fait partie de Aspen Global Health and Development. Pour plus d’informations, visitez www.aspennewvoices.org ou par courriel à aspennewvoices@aspeninst.org. Suivez tous les boursiers sur Twitter àaspennewvoices.

 

 

 

L’Institut Aspen

L’Institut Aspen est une organisation d’études éducatives et les politiques basé à Washington, DC. Sa mission est de favoriser le leadership basé sur des valeurs durables et de fournir un lieu non partisan pour faire face aux questions critiques. L’Institut est basé à Washington, DC; Aspen, Colorado; et sur la rivière Wye sur Maryland Eastern Shore. Il dispose également de bureaux à New York et un réseau international de partenaires. Pour plus d’informations, visitez www.aspeninstitute.org.[/tp]

Please see flyer below

Flyer – Internship with AWDF – website

[tp lang=”en” not_in=”fr”]‘We all have power, different types of power. When we don’t acknowledge that power, it’s easier for others to step all over us.’

As both grantmaker and fundraiser, the African Women’s Development Fund (AWDF) has been on both sides of the fence. As a result, Theo Sowa, AWDF CEO and chair of the African Grantmakers Network, has very clear views about the use and abuse of power. Caroline Hartnell asked her what power AWDF has and how it seeks to use it responsibly, and about the importance of African women setting their own agenda.

Read more of Theo’s interview in Alliance Magazine [/tp]

[tp lang=”en” not_in=”fr”]‘Nous avons tous un pouvoir, différents types de pouvoirs. Lorsque nous ne reconnaissons pas ce pouvoir, il est plus facile pour les autres de nous marcher dessus. ‘

À la fois comme bailleur de fonds et collecteur de fonds, le Fonds africain de développement de la femme (AWDF) a été des deux côtés de la clôture. En conséquence, Theo Sowa, Directrice Générale d’AWDF et présidente du Réseau des subventionneurs en Afrique, a des vues très claires sur l’utilisation et l’abus de pouvoir. Caroline Hartnell lui a demandé quel est le pouvoir d’AWDF et comment il cherche à utiliser de façon responsable, et à propos de l’importance de fixer leur propre agenda femmes africaines.

Lire la suite de l’interview de Theo dans Alliance Magazine[/tp]

[tp lang=”en” not_in=”fr”]Idilmat workshop: Foundations of Public Finance Management (PFM) – September 2-6, 2013.

This 5-day professional development workshop is for people with little or no background in PFM and provides a useful basis to think, analyse and meaningfully discuss PFM issues. Workshop participants will learn to:

Understand PFM through basic analytical frameworks – based on the objectives of sound PFM: fiscal discipline, allocation efficiency and technical efficiency.
Understand the complex nature of PFM reform – the political dimension, the macro-economic context, the legal and regulatory framework, the institutional framework, etc
Appreciate the rationale for the different aid modalities adopted by Development Partners
Understand elements of revenue management and debt management
Be able to question the relevance of some popularly promoted PFM reforms such as performance budgeting, activity based budgeting, IFMIS and public private partnerships
A detailed course description can be found here

The workshop fee is $2,300 including VAT/NHIL. A discount/flexible payment options are available to anyone who is interested in attending.

For more detail please email client.services@idilmat.com or call 0266 173 403.[/tp]

[tp lang=”fr” not_in=”en”]L’atelier Idilmat: Foundations of Public Finance Management (PFM) – 2-6 Septembre 2013.

Cet atelier d’entrainement professionnel de 5 jours est fait pour les personnes ayant peu ou pas de bagage en GFP et leur fournit une base utile de réflexion, d’analyse et permet de parler efficacement de problèmes rencontrés.

Les participants à l’atelier apprendront à:

Apprendre la GFP à travers un cadre analytique basique – sur la base des objectifs de la GFP sonore: la discipline budgétaire, l’efficacité de l’allocation et l’efficacité technique.
Comprendre la nature complexe de la réforme de la GFP – la dimension politique, le contexte macro-économique, le cadre juridique et réglementaire, le cadre institutionnel, etc.
Appréciez la justification des différentes modalités d’aide adoptées par les partenaires au développement
Comprendre les éléments de la gestion des recettes et la gestion de la dette
Être en mesure de remettre en question la pertinence de certaines réformes de la GFP populairement promus tels que la budgétisation de la performance, la budgétisation axée sur l’activité, SIGEFI et des partenariats public-privé
Un programme dédaillé des cours peut-être trouvé: ici

Les frais de l’atelier sont $ 2,300 TTC / NHIL. Un rabais / des options flexibles de paiement sont disponibles pour quiconque est intéressé à participer.

Pour plus de détails veuillez envoyer un mail à client.services@idilmat.com ou appelez le 0266 173 403.[/tp]

 

Women in Successful Careers (WISCAR) in Lagos, Nigeria has run a successful mentorship programme since 2009, targeted at young women looking to achieve senior leadership position in the workplace or in business life.

To apply visit WISCAR’s website and complete the online application form. For further inquiries, please call +234 806 645 2894.Registration closes August 31st.