The theme of this year's African Union Summit is: ‘Maternal, infant and child health and development in Africa’. The agenda of meetings will be as follows: From 19–20 July 2010 the 20th Ordinary Session of the Permanent Representatives Committee (PRC) will be held. From 22–23 July 2010, 17th Ordinary Session of the Executive Council will be held. The Summit will conclude on 25–27 July 2010 with the 15th Ordinary Session of the Assembly.
Jobs and Announcements
Fifteenth African Union Summit
19–27 July 2010: Kampala, Uganda
IDRC Internship Awards competition
Application deadline: 12 September 2010
The main goal of the International Development and Research Centre (IDRC) Internship Awards is to provide exposure to research for international development through a programme of training in research management and grant administration under the guidance of IDRC programme staff. Internships are designed to provide hands-on learning experiences in research programme management and in the creation, dissemination and utilisation of knowledge from an international perspective. The interns will first undertake a programme of research on the topic submitted when competing for the internship award. Thereafter, they will be expected to provide support to management and programme staff in some of the following areas: synthesis of project outcomes; production of publications and dissemination materials or activities on research results; participation in team meetings; research tasks to locate, review and synthesise relevant material; preparation of state-of-the-art reviews; preparation of correspondence, reports and presentations; assistance with the organisation of meetings, workshops and seminars; preparation of minutes; updating and maintaining databases; and maintenance of the website; and exchange with other institutions working on a broad range of issues related to programming.
International AIDS conference 2010
18–23 July 2010: Vienna, Austria
The International AIDS Conference gathers together those working in the field of HIV, as well as policy makers, persons living with HIV and other individuals committed to ending the pandemic. It is a chance to assess where we are, evaluate recent scientific developments and lessons learnt, and collectively chart a course forward. Given the 2010 deadline for universal access set by world leaders, AIDS 2010 will coincide with a major push for expanded access to HIV prevention, treatment, care and support, despite the current global economic crisis threatening to undermine public investments. The Conference aims to demonstrate the importance of continued HIV investments to broader health and development goals. AIDS 2010 is also an opportunity to highlight the critical connection between human rights and HIV – a dialogue begun in Mexico City in 2008. The AIDS 2010 programme will present new scientific knowledge and offer opportunities for structured dialogue on the major issues facing the global response to HIV.
Call for abstracts: Second Conference of the African Health Economics and Policy Association (AFHEA)
Deadline: 31 August 2010
All African health economists and health policy analysts, whether working in Africa or on research of relevance to Africa, are invited to submit abstracts for the Second Conference of the African Health Economics and Policy Association (AfHEA), which will be held in Dakar, Senegal from 15–19 March 2011 (these dates are provisional). The overall theme of this conference is 'Toward universal health coverage in Africa'. Abstracts are encouraged for research related to the sub-themes of the conference: health care financing for universal financial protection in Africa; promoting universal access to needed health services; and strategies and tactics for key steps to move towards universal coverage. Individuals are also encouraged to submit abstracts on any other interesting or topical research, especially on any aspect of the health system that could contribute to universal coverage. Abstracts may be submitted in English or French and must not exceed 400 words in length. It should indicate the aim and objectives of the paper, the methods used and the key findings.
Contact: john.ataguba@uct.ac.za
Call for Applications: Graca Machel Scholarships for Postgraduate Study in South Africa
Closing date: 10 August 2010
The key aim of the Graça Machel Scholarship Programme is to help provide the female human resources necessary for economic, social and cultural development in the southern African region and to develop an educated and skilled workforce that can benefit the wider community. Scholarships that target women have long been recognised as an effective approach in addressing gender equality and eradicating poverty. By providing opportunities to study at postgraduate level, these scholarships aim to empower women and to equip them to take up leadership positions in order to have a direct impact in the communities, nations and region in which they live. These female scholars must be positive role models for other women. The scholarships are for female students from Angola, Botswana, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Swaziland, South Africa, Zambia and Zimbabwe studying in South Africa. They are valid for two years’ postgraduate study and include payment of a maintenance allowance, travel, health insurance and tuition fees. Applicants must have at least two years’ relevant work experience.
Call for case studies and testimonies for Global Health Watch
Deadline for first draft: 30 August 2010
Global Health Watch is putting out a call for the submission of country- or region-specific case studies and testimonies. These case studies and testimonies will form part of the electronic platform of the alternative world health and selected case studies shall also be incorporated into the final document of Global Health Watch 3 – scheduled for publication in 2011. Topics include: positive and negative examples of policies and actions to secure improved and equitable access to health care; examples of interventions to address public sector corruption and inefficiency; examples of effective, efficient and inclusive public health care systems; evidence showing the negative effects of commercialised health care on professional ethics; case studies on what is driving good and bad processes of decentralisation, with some analysis illustrative case studies of where deconcentration, devolution and delegation have worked, where it hasn’t worked and why; the good and bad practices bilateral and multi-lateral external funders on public health stewardship and on the performance of health care systems; examples of civil society resistance to the effect of privatised public water and electricity utilities on equitable and fair access; case studies of the positive and negative impact of multi-national corporations on health policy; case studies of the difficulty that governments have in responding to the needs and demands of multiple international agencies (creditors such as the World Bank, traditional bilateral external funders and relatively new institutions such as GAVI and the Global Fund). Global Health Watch is looking for concise submissions of 1,000 to 2,000 words with pictures.
Call for essays: 'Emerging Voices' in global public health
Closing date: 4 June 2010
The Institute of Tropical Medicine in Antwerp, Belgium (ITM) wants to encourage 'Emerging Voices' from developing countries to participate actively in international academic conferences and to raise their voice in the scientific debate. To identify those promising experts, it has launched an essay competition on how health research can foster significant progress towards universal health coverage in low-income countries. Applicants from developing countries are invited to submit a personal single-author essay. Authors must have been born on or after 1 January 1965. The essay can be in English or in French, and should not exceed 1,500 words. It will be accompanied by a short CV and a cover letter. The submission of an abstract related to the research the author is participating in is encouraged. Authors of selected essays will be invited to present their work at the colloquium of the Institute of Tropical Medicine in Antwerp, Belgium, from 8 to 10 November 2010 and to participate in the First Global Symposium on Health Systems Research in Montreux, Switzerland, from 16 to 19 November 2010. A number of travel grants to participate in the Antwerp and Montreux events in November 2010 will be awarded.
Contact: emergingvoices2010@itg.be
Call for papers: African Journal of Traditional, Complementary and Alternative Medicines
Deadline: 30 September 2010
The African Journal of Traditional, Complementary and Alternative Medicines (AJTCAM) will publish a special issue in 2011 entitled 'Reviews of modern tools in traditional medicines'. Experts in different fields may write on any of the following topics: specific case management studies in traditional medicines (malaria, diabetes, snake bites, cancer, infertility etc); traditional medical practice (general practice, psychiatry, traditional birth attendants etc) in different systems of traditional medicines; African traditional medicines; Chinese traditional medicines; Indian systems of medicines; complementary and alternative medicines; other systems of traditional medicines; evaluation of herbal products as potential medicines/drugs; clinical trials of herbal medicines; traditional medicines and HIV and AIDS – current research; chemical profiling of herbal medicines; cultivation of medicinal plants; safety evaluation of herbal products/medicines; standardisation of herbal medicines; packaging of herbal products; economics of herbal medicines; and biotechnology and traditional medicines.
Contact: cadewumi@yahoo.com
CIVICUS World Assembly 2010: Montréal, Canada: 20-23 August 2010
Closing date for registration: 6 August 2010
Every year, the CIVICUS World Assembly offers about fifty activities grouped around the overall theme, an annual focus theme and sub-themes. The activities comprise plenary sessions, round tables, workshops, networking sessions and formal events. The 2010 World Assembly in Montreal will introduce the concept of interactive group discussions (or Parcours) for the first time. The overall theme of the CIVICUS World Assembly is 'Acting Together for a Just World'. Every year this is explored through a focus theme. In 2010 the focus theme will be 'Seeking Out Solutions'. This theme will address the issues of economy, development and climate. The Assembly has a number of aims. It offers: to provide first hand knowledge on the state of the art of civil society thinking; to establish cross-cutting relationships with civil society, business, media, government and donor organisation professionals from around the globe; in-depth exchange of expertise on how people from all sectors act together to (re)gain the power to enforce decisions; training and capacity building on a wide range of tangible skills e.g. fundraising, networking, mobilisation, volunteering, campaigning etc; and the opportunity to find partners and funding to realise and expand your projects.
Launch of new grant: Development Innovation Fund
Closing date: April 2011
Small and medium-sized non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and community-based organisations can access funding opportunities from a new grant from the United Kingdom's Department for International Development (DFID) called the Development Innovation Fund. The application form has also been kept simple and is no longer than five pages. Any not-for-profit organisation located in a developing country can apply for funding. New organisations set up during last one or two years can also apply for this Fund. The organisation’s income during the last three years should not have exceeded more than £500,000. Project proposals can be submitted with budgetary requests of up to £60,000. Proposed projects may be awarded 100% funding support. There are three funding rounds but their timings have not been specified. Projects can be proposed for a period of 12 months only. The Fund has not specified any issue, theme or topic on which the funding will be prioritised. Applicant organisations can propose projects on any theme, such as from livelihood development, education and health, but all proposed interventions should directly work to reduce poverty in a developing country.