Summer Academy course on Freedom and Responsibility in the Media in Hamburg
Journalists from Afghanistan, Algeria, Bangladesh, Cambodia, Egypt, Ghana, India, Indonesia, Jordan, Kenya, Malawi, Mali, Mozambique, Nepa,...
Saturday, April 21, 2012
The Best Location To View the Solar Eclipse on May 20th
ALBUQUERQUE CONVENTION AND VISITORS BUREAU Albuquerque, New Mexico will be the best place to see the Annular Eclipse on Sunday, May 20, 2012. Educational and viewing events are being held at locations throughout the city to spot the first Annular Eclipse over the U.S. in 18 years. Visit www.ItsATrip.org/ABQSolarEvents for details. (PRNewsFoto/Albuquerque Convention and Visitors Bureau) ALBUQUERQUE, NM UNITED STATES.
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M., April 20, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- On May 20th, the first annular eclipse in 18 years will be visible from the United States. Albuquerque, New Mexico is said to be the best urban location to view this "ultimate astronomical event." An annular eclipse occurs when the moon covers most of the sun's disk leaving a thin ring of light around the edge appearing as a "ring of fire."
(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20120420/LA91641)
The eclipse begins over Asia and, traveling at more than 1,000 MPH, the shadow of the eclipse races to the southeast over parts of California, Nevada, Arizona, Utah and New Mexico before sunset. Locally, viewers will be able to see the annular eclipse for about four minutes just before sunset at 7:33pm in Albuquerque on the western horizon. A partial eclipse will be visible from approximately 6:30-8:00pm Mountain Daylight Time.
The Albuquerque Convention & Visitors Bureau and partner organizations are inviting astronomy buffs and interested star and sky enthusiasts to visit Albuquerque for this rare viewing event.
Seven entities have established viewing and educational events during the week before and on May 20th led by astronomers, graduate students and museum educators.
Anderson-Abruzzo Albuquerque International Balloon Museum (viewing and education)
New Mexico Museum of Nuclear Science & History (viewing and education)
University of New Mexico Observatory (viewing and education)
New Mexico Museum of Natural History & Science (educational events only)
Hard Rock Pavilion at Mesa del Sol (viewing only)
Sandia Peak Tramway (viewing only)
Each of the viewing locations above offers a direct site of the horizon for optimal viewing of the eclipse. Petroglyph National Monument is offering a viewing event that has been so popular it is already sold out.
Safety will be of utmost importance while viewing the eclipse. People should NOT look directly at the sun as it could cause eye damage. Solar viewing glasses or special pinhole cameras are needed to view the annular eclipse. Glasses will be available at the above event locations and Albuquerque Visitors Information Centers.
Details on viewing and educational events are available at www.ItsATrip.org/ABQSolarEvents.
The mission of the Albuquerque Convention and Visitors Bureau is to stimulate economic growth by marketing Albuquerque as a visitor and convention destination. For information, visit www.ItsATrip.org, www.facebook.com/visitAlbuquerque or www.twitter.com/see_albuquerque.
SOURCE Albuquerque Convention and Visitors Bureau
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Friday, April 20, 2012
Ezekwesili and Nobel Peace Prize laureate Wiesel Win Awards
Dr. Yaw Nyarko, Obiageli Ezekwesili, Chidera Ezekwesili. Photo by Isseu Diouf.
Obiageli "Oby" Ezekwesili, Vice President for the World Bank's Africa Region and Nobel Peace Prize laureate Elie Wiesel led other highly esteemed achievers honoured with awards at the 2012 Miracle Corners of the World (MCW)’s eighth annual gala dinner at New York University on April 3rd.
Elie Wiesel received the MCW Lifetime Achievement Award and Obiageli Ezekwesili received the Leadership Award.
The following are the details of the news.
Professor Elie Wiesel. Photo by Gary He (AP).
Nobel Peace Prize Winner Elie Wiesel Receives MCW Lifetime Achievement Award
UPS receives Community Partnership Award and Obiageli Ezekwesili of the World Bank receives Leadership Award at MCW's Eighth Annual Gala
NEW YORK, April 20, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- MCW (Miracle Corners of the World), an organization dedicated to empowering youth to become positive agents of change in their communities, celebrated its eighth annual gala dinner at New York University on April 3rd. MCW presented its highest honor, the 2012 MCW Lifetime Achievement Award, to Professor Elie Wiesel, 1986 Nobel Peace Prize recipient and the Founder & President of the Elie Wiesel Foundation for Humanity.
The presentation of the award followed an update on MCW's genocide prevention education program by Rwandan genocide survivor Jacqueline Murekatete, an MCW fellow and founder of MCW Jacqueline's Human Rights Corner. "Elie Wiesel was one of my early inspirations," she said. "Reading his book 'Night,' his own personal account about surviving the Holocaust, inspired me to begin sharing my own experiences."
Accepting the award to a standing ovation, Wiesel addressed the importance of MCW's genocide prevention efforts. "We must prevent genocide. But will the world ever learn? The sad answer is no," he said. "What else can we do but believe in miracles. I believe in miracles, and I believe in the important work of Miracle Corners of the World."
The MCW gala brought together more than 400 guests from the non-profit, education and business communities in support of MCW's programs around the world, including in Rwanda, Sierra Leone, Tanzania, Zambia, and the United States.
In addition to Professor Wiesel, MCW honored UPS with the 2012 MCW Community Partnership Award for its achievements in addressing a diverse variety of pressing global issues including health care, hunger and literacy and in promoting volunteerism among its employees. "UPS is a company whose heart is truly in the communities in which we work," said Eduardo Martinez, President of The UPS Foundation. "We share MCW's vision, and the belief that one of the most effective ways to improve communities is to support the aspirations of young leaders."
Obiageli Ezekwesili, Vice President for the Africa Region of the World Bank Group received the 2012 MCW Leadership Award for her outstanding contribution to socio-economic development across Africa. "Every effort that is put forth toward supporting hopes and dreams for youth is an effort well considered," she said. "This is why the work of MCW is so important... and this is why I am proud to be celebrating this wonderful organization tonight."
MCW's gala raised $800,000 in support of its work to promote Local Change through Global Exchange® through Youth Leadership, Community Development and Oral Healthcare initiatives, as well as Partner Programs, including MCW Jacqueline's Human Rights Corner. This is the highest amount of support raised by MCW at its annual gala to date.
"Our annual galas are always one of the highlights of the year," said Edward Bergman, MCW Co-Founder and President. "We are honored to celebrate the remarkable contributions to society made by Elie Weisel, UPS and Obiageli Ezekwesili, and we are deeply grateful for the generous support of our donors, partners, and volunteers in supporting our mission to have a positive impact on the lives of young people around the world."
For pictures of the event, visit http://www.flickr.com/photos/miraclecorners/sets/72157629384042660/.
About MCW (Miracle Corners of the World)
MCW (Miracle Corners of the World) is a non-profit organization founded in 1999 with the vision of Local Change through Global Exchange®. Our mission is to empower youth to become positive agents of change in their communities. Based in New York with affiliates in Africa, MCW offers the following programs: Leadership Training, Community Centers and Oral Healthcare Improvement, as well as Partner Initiatives (MCW Jacqueline's Human Rights Corner and the Container Project). For more information visit www.mcwglobal.org.
SOURCE MCW (Miracle Corners of the World)
CONTACT: Sharon Roling of MCW Communications, +1-212-453-5813, sharon@miraclecorners.org
Web Site: http://www.mcwglobal.org
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The Five-Year Engagement Opens in Theaters on April 27
The Five-Year Engagement, the opening film of the 2012 Tribeca Film Festival on Wednesday will open in theaters on Friday April 27.
The Tribeca Film Festival's world premiere of the romantic comedy at the Ziegfeld Theatre on 141 West 54th Street, New York City, NY on Wednesday April 18, was attended by the writer/director/producer Nicholas Stoller; cast member/writer/executive producer Jason Segel; producers Judd Apatow and Rodney Rothman; executive producer Richard Vane; and cast members Emily Blunt, Alison Brie, Jacki Weaver, Mindy Kaling, Kevin Hart, Brian Posehn, Tracee Chimo, Dakota Johnson and Zoe Niemkiewicz, including Tribeca Film Festival co-founders Robert De Niro, Jane Rosenthal and Craig Hatkoff, along with Camilla Belle, Kim Cattrall, Patricia Clarkson, Lena Dunham, Victor Garber, Cuba Gooding Jr., Steve Guttenberg, Bill Hader, Jonah Hill, N.Y. City Police Commissioner & Mrs. Kelly, Ellie Kemper, John Krasinski, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Michael Moore, Bridget Moynahan, Aubrey Plaza, Amy Poehler, Brett Ratner, Clifford Ross, Ally Sheedy, Jim Sheridan, Cindy Sherman, Leelee Sobieski, Jason Sudeikis, Hugo Tillman, Jon & Lizzie Tisch, Olivia Wilde, Irwin Winkler and other dignitaries.
The director and writer/star of Forgetting Sarah Marshall reteam for the irreverent comedy The Five-Year Engagement. Beginning where most romantic comedies end, the new film from director Nicholas Stoller, producer Judd Apatow (Knocked Up, The 40-Year-Old Virgin) and Rodney Rothman (Get Him to the Greek) looks at what happens when an engaged couple, Jason Segel and Emily Blunt, keeps getting tripped up on the long walk down the aisle. -- (C) Universal.
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Oprah Winfrey To Deliver Commencement Address To The Spelman College Class Of 2012
Lady Oprah Winfrey
19 Apr 2012 17:00 Africa/Lagos
Global Media Leader & Philanthropist Oprah Winfrey To Deliver Commencement Address To The Spelman College Class Of 2012
HIV/AIDS advocate Dazon Dixon Diallo , C'86, and actress and social change agent Anna Deavere Smith to receive Honorary Degrees
ATLANTA, April 19, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- A multimedia mogul whose international imprint is emblazoned on television, film, online and magazine publishing, satellite radio and Broadway, Oprah Winfrey is a significant example of how women can change the world. She's broken the glass ceiling in a male-dominated industry and leveraged her success as an entrepreneur to support many causes, including education. On Sunday, May 20, at 3 p.m., at the Georgia International Convention Center, the Mississippi native, who received an honorary degree from Spelman College in 1993, will inspire approximately 550 graduates when she delivers the commencement address to the Class of 2012, and receives the institution's National Community Service Award.
Known for her focus on improving the lives of others through various charitable initiatives, education is at the heart of Ms. Winfrey's philanthropic efforts. Through her Angel Network, she has helped establish 60 schools in 13 countries and donated $1 million to six charter schools in the United States in 2010. Her Oprah Winfrey Scholars Program has provided millions of dollars in support to financially challenged students and her 2002 Christmas Kindness initiative in South Africa helped over 50,000 children experience a million moments of happiness. However, among her best known endeavors is the establishment of the Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy for Girls in South Africa, where she has invested more than $40 million to educate students in grades seven through twelve.
Spelman College has a special relationship with the Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy for Girls in South Africa. Three students from the academy have been accepted as first-year students at the college, as part of the Class of 2016. In addition, Spelmanites have participated in internships at the academy, tutoring students and serving as resident assistants.
"We are thrilled to welcome Oprah Winfrey back to our campus to receive this well deserved award. I know her address to the Class of 2012 will undoubtedly leave an indelible mark on the graduates, as it did in 1993," said Beverly Daniel Tatum, Ph.D., president.
Honorary degrees will be bestowed upon public health advocate Dazon Dixon Diallo, C'86, founder and president of SisterLove Inc., one of the first HIV/AIDS non-profit organizations in the Southeast founded by a woman and devoted to women, and highly-acclaimed actress, playwright and professor Anna Deavere Smith.
"As the global leader in the education of women of African descent, our mission is to provide an experience rooted in academic excellence in the liberal arts and sciences, and to inspire a life-changing commitment to community involvement and positive social impact," added Dr. Tatum. "All of our honorees are tangible examples of the roles women can play in changing the world."
Dr. Ronald E. Peters , eighth President of the Interdenominational Theological Center, will serve as Baccalaureate speaker to the Class of 2012. Dr. Peters, a New Orleans native, is an internationally recognized preacher, author and advisor on social witness policy and urban theological education. Baccalaureate service will be held on Saturday, May 19 at 9 a.m. on the Spelman College Oval.
Spelman College:
Founded in 1881, Spelman College is a highly selective, liberal arts college widely recognized as the global leader in the education of women of African descent. Located in Atlanta, Ga., the college's picturesque campus is home to 2100 students. Outstanding alumnae include Children's Defense Fund Founder Marian Wright Edelman; Sam's Club CEO Rosalind Brewer, JPMorgan Chase Foundation President Kimberly Davis, Former Acting Surgeon General and Spelman's first alumna President Audrey Forbes Manley, Havard College Dean Evelyn Hammonds, Author Pearl Cleage and Actress LaTanya Richardson Jackson. For more information, visit www.spelman.edu.
SOURCE Spelman College
CONTACT: Terrilyn Simmons, +1-404-270-5822, tsimmons8@spelman.edu
Web Site: http://www.spelman.edu
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8 Reasons Why Publishing a Book Could Improve Business Success
PR Newswire's PR Toolkit logo. (PRNewsFoto/PR Newswire Association LLC)
19 Apr 2012 16:00 Africa/Lagos
8 Reasons Why Publishing a Book Could Improve Business Success
Best-selling author and marketing expert addresses the value of penning a book
NEW YORK, April 19, 2012 /PR Newswire/ -- In an age where we are overwhelmed with content, and business owners are faced with growing to-do lists and limited time, publishing a book isn't ordinarily at the top of the priority list.
(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20110831/NY59180LOGO)
A published book, however, could be a valuable marketing and sales tool, as explored in the latest article on PR Newswire's PR Toolkit. "Why Every Business Owner Should Publish a Book," by best-selling author Penny C. Sansevieri, discusses benefits such as increased credibility and expert status, as well as the opportunity for exposure to new audiences. The author also addresses issues and challenges that may arise and tips to approach them.
To learn more and access the article, click here.
PR Newswire's newly enhanced PR Toolkit is a comprehensive resource that provides small businesses and entrepreneurs the tools to develop an affordable public relations plan that helps them increase search engine rankings, generate interest from potential customers, engage with key audiences and grow their businesses. The toolkit features relevant content such as informative white papers, interactive webinars and how-to articles and premium access to educational resources, as well as the opportunity to take advantage of special offers designed specifically for small businesses. To request information on how PR Newswire can help your small business, click here. You can receive updates on new PR Toolkit content by following @prnsmallbiz on Twitter.
About PR Newswire
PR Newswire (www.prnewswire.com) is the premier global provider of multimedia platforms that enable marketers, corporate communicators, sustainability officers, public affairs and investor relations officers to leverage content to engage with all their key audiences. Having pioneered the commercial news distribution industry 58 years ago, PR Newswire today provides end-to-end solutions to produce, optimize and target content — from rich media to online video to multimedia — and then distribute content and measure results across traditional, digital, mobile and social channels. Combining the world's largest multi-channel, multi-cultural content distribution and optimization network with comprehensive workflow tools and platforms, PR Newswire enables the world's enterprises to engage opportunity everywhere it exists. PR Newswire serves tens of thousands of clients from offices in the Americas, Europe, Middle East, Africa and the Asia-Pacific region, and is a UBM plc company.
About PR Penny C. Sansevieri
Penny C. Sansevieri, CEO and founder of Author Marketing Experts, Inc., is a best-selling author and internationally recognized book marketing and media relations expert. Her company is one of the leaders in the publishing industry and has developed some of the most cutting-edge book marketing campaigns. AME is the first marketing and publicity firm to use Internet promotion to its full impact through The Virtual Author Tour™, which strategically works with social networking sites, blogs, Twitter, Pinterest, Linkedin, YouTube, and relevant sites to push an authors message into the virtual community and connect with sites related to the book's topic, positioning the author in his or her market. In the past 24 months their creative marketing strategies have helped land 11 books on the New York Times Bestseller list. To learn more about Penny's books or her promotional services, you can visit her web site.
Media Contacts:
Rachel Meranus
Vice President, Marketing and Communications
PR Newswire
+1.201.360.6776
Rachel.Meranus@prnewswire.com
Meryl Serouya
Marketing and Communications Associate
PR Newswire
+1-201.360.6009
Meryl.Serouya@prnewswire.com
SOURCE PR Newswire Association LLC
Web Site: http://www.prnewswire.com
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Journalists Challenged On Small Arms, Light Weapons Proliferation In West Africa
Illegal arms seized by the Nigerian Army.
20 Apr 2012 07:34 Africa/Lagos
JOURNALISTS CHALLENGED ON SMALL ARMS, LIGHT WEAPONS PROLIFERATION IN WEST AFRICA
ABUJA, April 20, 2012/African Press Organization (APO)/ -- A three-day sensitization and capacity building workshop for journalists on Small Arms and Light Weapons (SALWs) control opened on Thursday, 19th April 2012 at Ghana's border town of Sogakope, with the Executive Secretary of the National Commission on SALW, Mr. Jones Applerh, charging participants to support national and regional initiatives to reduce illegal circulation of SALWs which is fuelling conflicts in West Africa.
The workshop organized by the ECOWAS Commission and the National Commission on SALW, Ghana, is part of efforts to promote effective implementation of the ECOWAS Convention on SALW which entered into force in September 2009.
Mr. Applerh said the media has a critical role to play in public education that will engender appropriate behavioral and attitudinal change so that “we do not introduce small arms and light weapons into the litany of conflicts that have bedeviled countries in our region.”
He explained that three critical issues in gun control concerned weapons, legislation and the people, adding that in most conflicts the people are always the worst victims.
The media, Mr. Applerh said, are critical in conflict prevention, peace building and reorientation of the people to resist the gun culture.
In his presentation later, he noted that armed conflicts cost Africa some 18 billion US dollars annually, with 60-90 per cent of deaths in the conflicts traced to SALWs, with West Africa alone accounting for eight million of the 100 million small arms in circulation in the continent.
About 40 per cent of the small arms and light weapons in West Africa are in civilian hands, he said, adding that many countries in the region have experienced military coups, with uncontrolled circulation of SALWs exacerbating conflicts that have brought destruction, untold hardships, poverty and underdevelopment.
This year being an election year in Ghana, Mr. Applerh enjoined journalists in the spirit of the workshop to ensure that the country enjoyed peace before, during and after the elections.
In his welcome remarks on behalf of the ECOWAS Commission, Dr. Cyriaque Agnekethom, described the media as not just a partner, but a major stakeholder in the implementation of the ECOWAS SALW Convention.
He affirmed that effective implementation of the convention would contribute to regional peace and stability in line with the transformation from an ECOWAS of States to an ECOWAS of people.
The objective of the workshop is to sensitize participants and build their capacities on small arms and light weapons control sufficiently to enable them to play effective role as change agents through sensitization of their various publics on a constant and sustainable basis.
Print and broadcast journalists in government and private media organizations as well as ECOWAS Commission officials and resource persons are attending the meeting which is addressing the commonality of challenges of proliferation of SALWs and shared insufficiency of the level of awareness around SALWs and related matters in Member States.
The aim of the sensitization workshop is to engender a favourable environment for policies and programmes that will facilitate the implementation of the SALW Convention so as to reduce the spate and intensity of conflicts linked to illegal circulation of SALWs in the region.
Similar workshops have been held in Cote d'Ivoire, Guinea and Liberia, and the plan by the ECOWAS Commission is to cover all the 15 Member States.
Source: Economic Community Of West African States (ECOWAS)
Journalism Resource Centre
11/04/2012 14:12
29/03/2012 22:44
Training course on Environmental Reporting in Berlin
Professional journalists working for print and online media, from Bangladesh, Egypt, India, Indonesia, Kenya, Nigeria, Uganda, Uzbekistan,...
01/03/2012 17:08
IIJ course on multimedia and online journalism
The International Institute for Journalism (IIJ) of GIZ, is now accepting applications for the second session of its "Multimedia and Online...
20/02/2012 17:03
Training course for journalists from Jordan, Egypt
The International Institute for Journalism (IIJ) of GIZ has announced a one-week "Economic and Financial Reporting" for journalists from Jordan and...
15/02/2012 15:19
2012 Disaster Management and Resiliency Journalism Fellowships Launched
The 2012 Disaster Management and Resiliency Journalism Fellowships for journalists from Japan, the United States, China, Asia, Fiji, Indonesia, New...
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2012 Omololu Falobi Award for Excellence Goes To Anna Forbes
Anna Forbes. Photo Credit: MTN Microbicide Trials Network.
18 Apr 2012 02:37 Africa/Lagos
2012 Omololu Falobi Award for Excellence in HIV Prevention Research Community Advocacy Presented to Longtime Advocate Anna Forbes
Award honors Forbes's tireless advocacy for microbicides and women's rights
SYDNEY, April 17, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Anna Forbes, a long-time microbicide advocate, has received the third Omololu Falobi Award for Excellence in HIV Prevention Research Community Advocacy. The award was presented during the Microbicides 2012 Conference in Sydney, Australia.
Forbes was honored for her significant contributions to microbicides advocacy over a long career devoted to fostering civil society engagement in HIV care, treatment and prevention and women's rights. She has been involved in the fight against AIDS for almost three decades and was an early champion for microbicides when the field had few strong advocacy voices.
Forbes's work for more than a decade as deputy director of the Global Campaign for Microbicides (GCM) helped build awareness of the need for microbicides as a prevention option that could be controlled by women. She was also instrumental in the founding of the International Rectal Microbicide Advocates (IRMA). She continues to advocate for microbicides and other prevention options for women as an independent consultant with multiple organizations working with a special focus on engaging with sex work organizations across the world. Forbes is based in Washington, DC.
"I am honored to receive this award from my peers and proud to be receiving it here at the Microbicides 2012 conference where we have heard good news about the science, policy and advocacy that is moving us closer to new prevention options for women and for men," Forbes said. "There have been times over the past several years when finding a safe and effective microbicide and other woman-controlled options for HIV prevention seemed like a distant dream, but today we are much closer to making it a reality. As Omololu said, the challenge of our time is HIV/AIDS. Receiving this award his name gives me renewed hope to meet that challenge."
The Omololu Falobi Award highlights the essential role of community advocacy and leadership in HIV prevention research. It celebrates the life and values of the late Omololu Falobi, a long-time HIV advocate and journalist who founded Journalists Against AIDS in Nigeria, was an instrumental pioneer member of the Nigerian Treatment Access Movement, and co-founded the New HIV Vaccine & Microbicide Advocacy Society. Omololu was killed in Lagos, Nigeria in October 2006. The award was conceived as an ongoing legacy that recognizes his commitment and lasting contributions to HIV prevention research advocacy.
"Omololu was a visionary leader and activist, who accomplished much in his too short a life. He dedicated himself to powerful advocacy for HIV and HIV prevention research in Nigeria, Africa and worldwide," said Morenike Ukpong of NHVMAS in Nigeria. "It is gratifying to see his ideals and vision live on through this award. I know he would be immensely proud of the work that Anna and the past recipients are doing to simultaneously advance human rights and HIV prevention research."
Forbes was chosen from among an impressive group of nominees by an independent international panel of HIV prevention research advocates, policy makers, and scientists.
"Anna clearly has created, and continues to create, a fine and necessary inheritance for advocates working for microbicide and other HIV prevention options for women, said Polly Harrison, founder of the Alliance for Microbicide Development and chair of the selection committee. The times and circumstances in which Anna worked and continues to work, have certainly had their challenges. Yet she never seems to despair and she always tells the truth, especially truth to power. What more could one ask? We all look forward to continuing to hear Anna's voice in this field."
The 2012 Omololu Falobi Award Recipient was honored during the plenary session today with a plaque and a cash prize. The M2012 Secretariat also provided a full scholarship for the Award recipient to attend the Conference in Sydney.
The Omololu Falobi Award For Excellence In HIV Prevention Research Community Advocacy was conceptualised and the process coordinated by the African Microbicides Advocacy Group (AMAG) in partnership with AVAC: Global Advocacy for HIV Prevention Research, the Global Campaign for Microbicides (GCM), Journalists Against AIDS in Nigeria (JAAIDS), the New HIV Vaccine and Microbicide Advocacy Society (NHVMAS), and the Treatment Action Movement Nigeria (TAM). Joining the coordinating committee this year are the International Rectal Microbicides Advocates (IRMA) and the African AIDS Vaccine Programme (AAVP).
The award honors Omololu Falobi, a visionary leader who continues to inspire many people and projects. He was a leading HIV/AIDS activist, an advocate for prevention research, and an exceptional journalist. Omololu made enormous impact in Nigeria and beyond – he nurtured and/or led campaigns related to prevention, treatment and research; won multiple awards nationally and internationally; and earned a tremendous reputation from all who had the privilege to work with him. He established the Journalists Against AIDS in Nigeria (JAAIDS), co-created the Nigeria-AIDS eForum, co-founded the New HIV Vaccine and Microbicide Advocacy Society of Nigeria (NHVMAS), was an instrumental pioneer member of the Treatment Access Movement (TAM) Nigeria and a key leader of the African Civil Society Coalition on HIV and AIDS.
Financial support for the Award since 2008 comes from AMAG, AVAC, GCM, Family Health International, NHVMAS, the Open Society Institute in South Africa and UNAIDS. The Award also receives support from the M2012 Conference in the scholarship afforded to the Award recipient.
SOURCE AVAC
CONTACT: Manju Chatani, manju@avac.org; +1-413-923-8674 or Kay Marshall, kay@avac.org; +1-347-249-6375.
Mobile @the Heart of Health GSMA-mHealth Alliance Mobile Health Summit 2012
20 Apr 2012 09:00 Africa/Lagos
LONDON, April 20, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- The GSMA-mHA Mobile Health Summit will be hosted in Cape Town, South Africa on 29th May – 1st June 2012. Taking advantage of the global reach of the GSMA and mHealth Alliance, this year's summit will demonstrate the commercial scale and sustainability of mobile health initiatives.
Mobile and health executives and government leaders representing all areas of the mobile health ecosystem, from the private and public sectors, the technology, health and development fields and from academia will present, discuss and debate some of the most critical issues in the industry. These include service provider business models and MNO partnerships, regulation and privacy and the on-the-ground innovations that are saving lives.
This year's keynote speakers who will share their insights into the critical global business trends, growth strategies and technological innovations for mobile health include:
Helen Zille, Premier of the Western Cape, South Africa
Andre Beyers, CMO, Airtel Africa
Thierry Zylberberg, EVP Strategic Partnerships, GM Health Line of Business, France Telecom
Gabi Zedlmayer, VP, Office of Global Social Innovation, HP
Scott C. Ratzan, VP, Global Health, Johnson & Johnson
Axel Nemetz, Head of Health, Vodafone
Press accreditation for this year's summit is now currently open:
To become accredited for GSMA-mHealth Alliance Mobile Health Summit 2012:
Contact press@gsm.org and apply for press accreditation
Provide all relevant documentation and links to support the accreditation application.
In order to register, media will be required to comply with strict press accreditation criteria and provide verification of their media status. (The criteria for media accreditation can be found here: http://www.mobilehealthsummit.com/registration/registration_faq.shtml).
Once the accreditation application has been submitted, the GSMA press team will then review each application. Upon positive review of the application, press will be accredited and will receive confirmation of their accreditation and registration. If the application is declined, media will be notified and can either re-submit their accreditation application with appropriate support or register as an attendee.
About the GSMA
The GSMA represents the interests of mobile operators worldwide. Spanning more than 220 countries, the GSMA unites nearly 800 of the world's mobile operators, as well as more than 200 companies in the broader mobile ecosystem, including handset makers, software companies, equipment providers, Internet companies, and media and entertainment organisations. The GSMA also produces industry-leading events such as the Mobile World Congress and Mobile Asia Congress.
For more information, please visit Mobile World Live, the online portal for the mobile communications industry, at www.mobileworldlive.com or the GSMA corporate website at http://www.gsmworld.com. For more information on the event please visit http://www.mobilehealthsummit.com website or alternatively email the press team at press@gsm.org.
SOURCE GSMA
CONTACT: Siobhan Graham, +44 (0) 20 7067 0210, SGraham@webershandwick.com
Web Site: http://www.gsmworld.com
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Thursday, April 19, 2012
A Strong Local Presence Is Key To Long-Term Successful Investment In Africa
19 Apr 2012 11:12 Africa/Lagos
A STRONG LOCAL PRESENCE IS KEY TO LONG-TERM SUCCESSFUL INVESTMENT IN AFRICA
JOHANNESBURG, April 19, 2012/African Press Organization (APO)/ --
INSIGHTS FROM THE KPMG AFRICA CONVERSATION: ‘INVESTING IN AFRICA'
(18 APRIL 2012; AVAILABLE ON HTTP://WWW.ABNDIGITAL.COM)
Investment hungry Africa has become one of the fastest growing regions in the world, now firmly positioned as a global investment destination of choice. In 2012-13 alone, the continent is expected to grow by 5 per cent and it is estimated that Africa's GDP could be US$2.6 trillion by 2020. While it is clear that individual countries perform economically with different levels of success, there are significant business opportunities across the continent driven by an insatiable demand for Africa's resources, a rapidly growing population with an unprecedented rise in consumer demand, and the related infrastructural development that is urgently required in all areas.
Logo: http://www.apo-mail.org/kpmg.jpg
Reflecting on these mega-trends shaping Africa's future, Tim Bashall (Head of Strategy, KPMG Africa) says: “We are obviously dealing here with long term investment strategies. The African story still has elements of political and economic uncertainty but overall business opportunities are greatly improving. Investors are therefore thinking in cycles of 15-20 years”.
Raman Dhawan (Managing Director, Tata Africa) explains that they took a conscious decision to expand into Africa since the leadership of the Indian conglomerate acknowledged the need to export. “We came to South Africa and Africa to build a footprint on the continent, and we are looking at sectors which are untapped, such as the telecoms. We have successfully managed to establish ourselves in about a dozen countries including South Africa which we consider as a benchmark for our operations in other African countries.”
Many investors are still weary of potential risks of putting money into Africa. Says Tim Bashall: “We are aware that people worry about political risks and change of legislation in different African countries. But it has become a lot better.” African countries have become increasingly stable and there are many promising examples of public sector reforms which have helped to improve the business landscape, including improving regulatory frameworks.
Key to mitigating the risks is to have local presence on the ground which creates relevant and adequate capacity to deal with the prevailing realities and challenges. The lack of well-trained human resources offers a chance to build a work force suited to the business environment. Says Henri Obi (Chief Operations Officer of Helios Investment Partners): “We pursue a strategy of hiring global business leaders for our African operations who have proved themselves elsewhere. To us, it is not important where the talent comes from as long as we get the talent we need. Of course, human capital is one of the major business risks in Africa, yet corporations have successfully managed this challenge for decades but have failed to tell the success story.”
To potential investors looking for opportunities in Africa, KPMG's Dapo Okubadejo has a number of suggestions. “Buy and build existing companies, invest in value-chains while adopting partnerships in the logistics and distribution sectors, engage proactively with regulatory institutions, thoroughly build your human capital and adopt a portfolio strategy approach.”
Adds Henri Obi: “Doing business in Africa requires a lot of patience and time, but the rewards can be very high. It is important to understand the local cultures in African countries where companies want to invest.”
Distributed by the African Press Organization on behalf of KPMG.
About KPMG International
KPMG (http://www.kpmg.com) is a global network of professional firms providing Audit, Tax and Advisory services. We operate in 150 countries and have 138 000 people working in member firms around the world. The independent member firms of the KPMG network are affiliated with KPMG International Cooperative (“KPMG International”), a Swiss entity. Each KPMG firm is a legally distinct and separate entity and describes itself as such.
Contact:
Name: Tim Bashall
Title: Head of Strategy: KPMG Africa
Tel: +27 (11) 647 7700
Email: tim.bashall@kpmg.co.za
Name: Dapo Okubadejo
Title: Partner & Head, Financial Advisory (Transactions & Restructuring), KPMG in Nigeria
Tel: +234 (0) 803 402 0964
Email: Dapo.Okubadejo@ng.kpmg.com
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Africa is Poised for Accelerated Growth Despite the Volatility of Global Economy
Africa and the MDGs from World Bank on Vimeo.
Africa is poised to accelerate its growth despite the volatility of the global economy, says a new report from the World Bank / The region remains vulnerable, with droughts in the Sahel and fuel subsidies that represent 1.4% of GDP and mainly benefit the rich
WASHINGTON, April 18 2012/African Press Organization (APO) / - Economic growth in sub-Saharan Africa remains strong and is expected to accelerate to 4.9% in 2011, slightly below its average growth of 5% before the crisis. Outside South Africa, which accounts for more than a third of gross domestic product (GDP) in the region, growth in the rest of the region was 5.9%, making it one of the regions developing the fastest growing, according to a new World Bank report on Africa's economy.
Over a third of countries in the region have achieved growth rates of at least 6%, while 40% of them grew between 4% and 6%. Among countries with rapid growth in 2011 include resource-rich countries such as Ghana, Mozambique, Nigeria and Angola, as well as other economies such as Rwanda and Ethiopia, which display all rates growth of at least 7% for 2011.
"Given the turbulence that characterized the world economy over the past five years, many people would rather believe that the prospects for Africa are really bad. However, as shown in this issue of Africa's Pulse, African economies continue to prove their resilience and some savings to the fastest growing in the world are now in Africa. The most pressing issue in the agenda remains the pursuit of macroeconomic reforms in parallel with the acceleration of structural reforms that will have a good growth, creating jobs and increase revenues on the continent " said Obiageli Ezekwesili, Vice President of the World Bank for the Africa region and former Minister of Mineral Resources of Nigeria.
However, the new report published in Africa's Pulse, a twice-yearly analysis of issues affecting the economic prospects of Africa, also contends that the debt crisis of the euro area and internal policies stricter in some large developing countries have decrease African exports in 2011. Exporters of metals and minerals (eg. Zambia, Niger and Mozambique) and cotton exporters (eg. Benin and Burkina Faso) were among the hardest hit during the period three months ending in November 2011. Given the recent firming of prices of other commodities in 2012, it is also possible that the value of exports from the exporting countries of agricultural products and metals and minerals has already begun to rise.
Slowdown in tourism, but more private investment
The latest issue of Africa's Pulse reports that the global economic downturn during the second half of 2011 has affected tourist arrivals. For the full year 2011, tourist arrivals in sub-Saharan Africa were up 6.2%, a performance better than the world average is 4.4%, but below the growth of 9, 6% recorded in the region in 2010 when she hosted the World Cup soccer. Tourist arrivals from Europe to key destinations such as Mauritius have declined.
Moreover, an important development took place at the level of investment. The World Bank states that the flow of capital to sub-Saharan Africa increased by $ 8 billion to $ 48.2 billion in 2011. Foreign direct investment, which represent approximately 77% of all capital flows in the region, contributed to about 83% of this increase.
Recent foreign direct investment in the region were boosted by increased competition for natural resources worldwide, an increase of commodity prices, robust economic growth and the rapid emergence of a middle class on the continent. The region is increasingly recognized as a destination for investment, including private equity investors.
Food insecurity remains a concern
Africa's Pulse reported that the Sahel region of West Africa is still facing serious food insecurity. Rainfall below average, poor food distribution and displacement of families due to the conflict have left between 13 and 15 million vulnerable people divided between Niger, Mali, Burkina Faso, Chad and Mauritania.
Rainfall below average and erratic in 2011 have resulted in reduced grain harvests for the 2011-2012 season and grain production across the Sahel, especially in Mauritania, Chad, Niger and Gambia . Total production of cereals in the Sahel is at least 25% lower than the previous season (2010-2011), Chad and Mauritania even showing declines of 50% over the previous year . Some fear that the food crisis from spreading to Senegal and northern Nigeria and Cameroon.
The return of some emigrants who had left North Africa and lower remittances from migrant workers living in neighboring countries have amplified the effects of the crisis. The current conflict in Mali has also forced thousands to flee their homes and seek refuge in Burkina Faso and Mauritania, putting pressure on food markets and weighting constraints in already vulnerable communities.
"Famine in the Horn of Africa last year and drought in the Sahel this year we are stark reminders that Africa, the continent that has contributed least to greenhouse gas emissions, will probably be the most affected by climate change, "said Ms. Ezekwesili of the World Bank.
Fuel subsidies benefit the rich more than poor
The new issue of Africa's Pulse a special section devoted to subsidies in fuel prices in Africa, noting that in 2010-2011, more than half of African countries had established a subsidy for petroleum products, and that these subsidies funded from revenue cost on average 1.4% of GDP. Of the 25 countries with fuel subsidies, the budgetary cost of these subsidies in six countries (mostly oil exporters) was 2% or more of GDP in 2011. The budgetary cost of these subsidies in oil-exporting countries was almost two and a half times the levels observed in oil-importing countries. These costs have increased sharply in some countries in recent years.
However, fuel subsidies benefit mostly the wealthiest families. Indeed, the results of surveys conducted in 12 countries around the world show that households in the 20% of the top six times took advantage of these subsidies the households in the 20% of the slice lower.
Oil prices remain high throughout the world, a number of African countries increased fuel prices on their domestic market. For example, Ghana increased fuel prices by 30% in January 2011. In a similar vein, Mozambique has increased fuel prices in 2011 (10% in April and 8% in July) and Guinea has adopted measures to reduce its fuel subsidy. On 1 January 2012, the Nigerian government has eliminated the subsidy for diesel fuel. Following protests that lasted for weeks, a portion of this grant was replaced.
"That poor showing against the removal of fuel subsidies that benefit the rich shows how governance issues are serious in the continent. They simply do not trust the government to spend the savings to help them, "says Shanta Devarajan, Chief Economist of the World Bank for the African region and author of Africa's Pulse.
As noted Africa's Pulse, phase out fuel subsidies is a sensitive issue in terms of policy. The elimination of subsidies and price increases should be managed wisely. On the one hand, the social assistance programs must be strengthened to help poor and vulnerable households to cope with this drastic price increase. On the other hand, it is necessary to raise public awareness subsidy reform and get support through a transparent discussion and fact-based and scrutiny of subsidies in question: the real cost this grant, the distribution of the grant and its real beneficiaries, and the consequences of this expense on other public spending in priority areas.
Source: The World Bank
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