TIGblogs - Titi

This covers more than ICT's but then:-)) Deadline is the 15th and it has to be submitted via snail mail...did i hear an oh no? Well...they must have their reasons.
Here Goes...

The Africa-America Institute and the African Studies Association announce the 2003 Claude Ake Memorial Awards Program competition, funded by the Ford Foundation.

The Claude Ake Memorial Awards Program seeks to encourage young and mid-career African scholars-activists to carry out research, reflection and writing about their ideas and activities. The award is intended for Africans, working in Africa, who are engaged in knowledge-based and reality-informed problem solving to address the continent's development challenges, in the tradition of Claude Ake.

"Africa is not winning [the battle to control its development agenda] because the struggle has been construed too narrowly as one over economic and political power. But it is much more than that. It is also a struggle of ideas and knowledge….Scientists are a major part of the problem. To begin with, we ourselves have no faith in the power of scientific knowledge or in our ability to use it to solve problems. If we did, we would talk less about how our governments constrain science and concentrate on using the power of our knowledge to change them so they can value science, support it and exploit its potential. It is not very useful to lament incessantly the persistence of traditional and popular attitudes which are detrimental to the production and utilization of scientific knowledge. Why not problematize this scientifically and devise a means for changing these attitudes?...Without articulating how to proceed and why, our march to development cannot really begin. Can we [scientists] live with this tragic betrayal of our mission?" From Knowledge, Public Policy and Development: The Case of Social Science.

These are the words of the late Claude Ake, an activist for democracy, a visionary, and a scholar of global standing. They were presented as part of the challenge he issued a decade ago to colleagues in the Nigerian scholarly community who, at his invitation convened at the Nigerian Institute for International Affairs in Lagos to envision the institutional mission of what later became the Centre for Advanced Social Science (CASS). Throughout his professional life, Ake was critically engaged with the political and economic realities in his country and was at the forefront among scholar-activists who championed social justice, economic development, and democracy. He challenged African intellectuals to help construct an African consciousness about development, a consciousness that would guide Africans in conceiving of African solutions to African problems and, indeed, problems faced around the world. A remarkable leader, he was an expert on political theory, political economy and development studies. This awards program was created to honor his life and work.

Ake understood that education was part of the solution but that with the declining state of much of the continent¹s higher education system, more was needed. This awareness and conviction informed his decision in 1990 to turn down a research fellowship at major think tank and several lucrative teaching positions in the U.S. in order to return to Nigeria to found CASS. He died in 1996 in a plane that crashed after take off over Lagos.

The Claude Ake Memorial award will recognize the work of African intellectuals functioning in various capacities in Africa. It will support research projects that are applicable to a country, region, or other defined setting within Africa. Successful applicants will receive stipends of $6,000 for innovative research aimed at meeting challenges that face the continent of Africa. In addition, Ake Scholars will travel to the U.S. on or about October 27 to attend the African Studies Association's (ASA) Annual Meeting in Boston, Massachusetts, where they will present their research to a representative cross section of the Africanist community from around the world. Following the ASA Meeting, from October 3 to November 13, award recipients will travel to various American college campuses where they will network with community and faculty members who have similar research or advocacy interests. The Africa-America Institute will compile a resource book with syntheses of the Ake Scholars' research and distribute it widely to academic and other audiences.

Application Process

The application packet may be downloaded via the internet here: Application Form. Applications will be reviewed by a panel of distinguished scholars of African studies in the humanities and social sciences. Complete applications must be received in hard copy at the Africa-America Institute no later than April 15, 2003. Fax and email applications will not be accepted.

Notification of the awards will take place on or about June 2, 2003.
Eligibility

This program is intended primarily for young and mid-career African scholar-activists residing on the continent of Africa. Awards may also be made to select African applicants residing outside of Africa. Preference is given to individuals who have not recently visited North America. Applications may be submitted in English, French or Portuguese. However, proficiency in written spoken English is preferred for participation in the U.S. study tour.

Themes

The following are suggested areas of research. We welcome proposals in all areas related to the social sciences and humanities, and especially those that address issues in the researchers' fields in creative ways.

Democracy and Citizenship: New Political Processes and Popular Participation

Gender Relations and the Empowerment of Women

Use of Information Technology in the Production of Knowledge, Social Change and Activism

Culture and the Arts

The Impact of the "Brain Drain": Strategies of Reintegration.

Refugees and Disrupted Communities

Conflict Resolution

Community Activism

Environmental Issues

Science and Health with Social Implications

Completed applications should be sent to:

The Africa-America Institute
Claude Ake Memorial Awards
1625 Massachusetts Avenue, N.W., Suite 400
Washington, D.C. 20036-2259
U.S.A.

For inquiries, please contact the Africa-America Institute at the above address or by email: award@aaionline.org

The mission of The Africa-America Institute (AAI) is to promote enlightened engagement between Africa and America through education, training and dialogue. Founded in 1953, AAI is a multi-racial, multi-ethnic, nonprofit organization, with offices in New York and Washington, DC, and a presence in 20 African countries.

The African Studies Association (ASA) was founded in 1957 as a nonprofit organization open to all individuals and institutions interested in African affairs. With over 3,000 individual and institutional members worldwide, ASA is the leading North American organization that promotes African studies. Its mission is to bring together people with a scholarly and professional interest in Africa.

©2003 The Africa-America Institute