NEPAD-Spanish Women’s Fund : Progress

The NEPAD Secretariat would like to announce that short-listed applicants for positions on the Technical Management Team of the Fund were interviewed on 19 March 2008 and it is hoped to finalise the process on 26 March. The names of the successful candidates will then be announced.

The Secretariat would also like to reiterate that applicants awaiting the second call for submission of funding proposals will be informed in good time when to submit or re-submit their applications.

The NEPAD Secretariat thanks everyone for their interest and understanding during the process involved in ensuring the smooth-running of the Fund. Source : NEPAD, 20 03 08

Environment Day in Senegal

African Environment Day on 17 March 2008 was celebrated at the Douta Seck House of Culture in Dakar, Senegal by focusing on the topic of “Sustainable management of dangerous waste in Africa : challenges and perspectives”.

The ceremony was presided over by Ndiawar Dieng, Senior Technical Advisor of the Department of Environment and Protection of Nature in Detention Ponds and Artificial Lakes who reminded everyone that the day was introduced by the African Union at the 2002 Summit held in Durban, South Africa.

This year’s topic, chosen by the African Union, also dealt with “adapting climate changes to food security in Africa”, he said.

The objective was to become more aware of soil degradation problems and desertification – the characteristic of under-development, hunger and poverty in Africa, along with climate change.

In another presentation David Njiki Njiki referred to the NEPAD principles of ownership and partnership. NEPAD, he said, had a programme for the ecological management of hazardous waste, decided at the African Ministerial Conference on the Environment. Source : NEPAD, 20 03 08

International media summit on the re-branding of Africa

The third African International Media Summit (AIMS) will be held in Tunis on 27-30 March 2008 and will discuss the “new and emerging Africa – and the re-branding of Africa”.

Convened by the African Communications Agency (ACA) it will be hosted by the African Development Bank with the support of the African Union, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), and the Diaspora African Forum.

“How the youth can help change the image of Africa in the re-branding process” is the theme of this year’s summit in line with the AU Declaration of 2008 as the Year of the Youth. UNICEF (Speak Africa) and Plan International will be sponsoring youth presentations.

Stakeholders in the media industry, senior government representatives from across the continent, and members of the Diaspora will also participate.

The AIMS concept – a five-year programme — was borne out of a commitment to the long overdue re-branding of Africa. It is designed to involve African-based and international media and to provide information and assistance to African ministers of communication, information, and tourism.

The ACA, with headquarters in Accra and offices in South Africa and Nigeria, focuses on establishing partnerships and developing initiatives to help change negative perceptions of Africa and to introduce African businesses to the global marketplace. Source : NEPAD, 20 03 08

Corporate executives hear about NEPAD’s African Leadership Programme

The 2008 African Leadership Programme of the NEPAD Business Foundation was introduced to a large gathering of South African corporate executives at a launch function at the Johannesburg Stock Exchange on 13 March 2008.

The African Leadership Programme (ALP) — the brainchild of a partnership between the NEPAD Business Foundation and Wits Business School — is a bold and exciting initiative which focuses on developing a new generation of African leaders who are authentically African.

The programme is uniquely designed to bring together aspirant leaders from both the private and public sector, and allows them to work together not only to gain an understanding of their inter-dependence, but also to learn and share experiences.

It enables them to face challenges that call for specific leadership characteristics which cannot be taught outside of Africa.

Interfacing with global multilateral institutions that have an effect on African development is a crucial element part of the programme, which culminates in an international study tour.

The students travel to Tunis, Paris, New York and Washington to interact with high profile organisations and corporations such as the World Bank, United Nations, the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) and the African Development Bank.

“Can we elevate bright young people on this continent and encourage them to ask ‘How can I make a change in the African continent”, Dr. Reuel Khoza asked in his opening address at the Johannesburg Stock Exchange.

“The scarcity of potential leaders is one of Africa’s challenges and has to be properly addressed by a formal structure of leadership,” he said.

The many development prospects and opportunities on the continent will enable Africa to become a global powerhouse, but this continent will struggle without adequate leadership, was the overall message delivered at function.

The first intake of the ALP in 2007 consisted of a diverse and highly professional group from six African countries, who emerged from the course with a clear vision of their roles as leaders in taking responsibility for the development of the African continent.

The NEPAD Business Foundation has partnered with the Wits Business School and the School of Public and Development Management to present this programme, whose unique features are :

Stringent selection process to ensure a diverse body of students from different countries, with a target of 50% female participants – the 2007 students came from Nigeria, Kenya, Cameroon, Mozambique, Zimbabwe and South Africa ;

Content specifically tailored to the challenges facing Africa ;

A strong focus on self discovery, leadership development and coaching ;

A rigorous academic component covering major managerial disciplines, in particular ethics and corporate governance ;

An international study tour to provide valuable insights into global institutions such as the United Nations, African Development Bank and leading commercial organisations ;

To promote networking, both locally and internationally ; The programme fee is R120,000.00 and this includes all teaching and course materials as well as the overseas travel for the international study tour.

Delegates residing outside of South Africa are expected to cover their accommodation and flights to and from South Africa.

The course consists of 48 delegates per intake to ensure a dynamic and interactive learning group.

The 2008 African Leadership Programme starts on 18 May 2008. The closing date for applications is 1 April 2008.

www.wbs.ac.za www.nepadbusinessfoundation.org Source : NEPAD, 20 03 08

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