AFRICAN STUDIES CENTER - UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA
 

Call for Applications: Hosting the Fifth MIM Pan-African Malaria Conference in 2008, 07/06

Call available for download (PDF, Word) at the MIM Homepage: http://www.MIMalaria.org

Deadline for applications: 31 July 2006

INTRODUCTION

The MIM Pan-African Malaria Conference is convened every three years and hosted in rotation by African institutions. The first, which was held from 6 to 9 January 1997 in Dakar, Senegal, registered 166 participants from 21 African, 16 non-African countries, and 3 international non-governmental organizations (NGOs). Conference participants have since consistently increased both numerically and in the diversity of the malaria stakeholders at the 2nd, 3rd and 4th Conferences. The latest Conference that was held from 13-18 November, 2005 in Yaoundé, Cameroon registered over 1 500 participants from all over the world, and its opening session was graced by the hosting country Prime Minister and Minister for Health. Other dignitaries included the Regional Director for the World Health Organization (WHO) and Director for the Special Programme for Research and Training in Tropical Diseases. Besides the 8 Conference plenary sessions, there were 32 parallel or break away sessions, 23 symposia, and 44 exhibitors of health devices. The Conference was covered by over 70 international journalists, with more than 500 press clips in the international media.

CALL FOR APPLICATIONS AND DEADLINE

Applications are hereby invited from African countries or institutions that wish to host the 5th MIM Pan-African Malaria Conference to be held in November 2008. The MIM Secretariat and the appointed host institution will aim to set the dates for the next Conference as soon as possible, with caution to avoid collision with other international or national meetings, religious holidays or local political elections etc. The deadline for the applications is 31 July 2006.

INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE APPLICATION

The applications should among other things provide information regarding quantities, capacity, quality ratings and costs for the following facilities that will service the Conference: 1. Halls, seminar-rooms, space available for exhibitions and posters 2. Audio-visual systems
3. Simultaneous French English translation
4. Organization and availability of information technology services a. Help desk, printing, photocopying, etc
b. Local and international telephone and fax services
c. Internet services (broadband, preferably wireless)
d. Lost and found information.
5. Catering services at the Conference venue indicating costs and diversity for a. Opening cocktail,
b. Break beverages and snacks,
c. Lunch.
6. Catering services outside Conference venue indicating costs and diversity for a. Breakfast,
b. Lunch, and
c. Gala and closing dinner.
7. Airport accessibility and schedules for international flights 8. Hotels and hostels with an estimate of maximum capacity, services rating and room rates 9. Ground transportation and logistics (airport/hotels and hotels/conference venue) 10. Social and other attractions for delegates and accompanying spouses (excursions, tours, tourist attractions, curio shops) 11. Visa processing modes for general visitors, conference delegates and accompanying persons 12. Information on travel regulations to the host country, such as health restrictions, recommended vaccines, tips on pre-travel medication 13. Participants in the Conference organization indicating roles for each of the following a. Affiliated/collaborating international institutions,
b. National health research institutions,
c. Malaria control programme,
d. NGOs and commercial firms, and
e. National Conference Programme Officer (NCPO) and other individuals 14. Visibility plans
a. Invitation of VIPs, such as Government officers and other dignitaries; b. Banners, conference materials (T-shirts, bags, caps, pens, folders etc) c. Press conferences;
d. Press Kits;
e. Advertising in international and local media (newspapers, radio, television).

NATIONAL COSTS FOR CONFERENCE PREPARATIONS
1. Budget and justification for national costs,
2. Funding sources for national costs

REQUIREMENTS AND EXPERIENCES FOR NCPO

Submit CV substantiating the following:
1. Educational background preferably at PhD level,
2. Malaria research experience demonstrated by relevant publications, 3. Oral communication skills demonstrated by presentations at scientific meetings, 4. Experience in hosting/convening international scientific meetings, 5. Team player and leadership experience.

Functions of NCPO
Collaboration with MIM Secretariat in making
1. Contacts for the Conference,
2. Plans with local authorities and institutions,
3. Media outreach and advocacy,
4. Bookings for the Conference venue, travel and accommodation 5. Development of fund raising proposals, and
6. Communicating with partners and donors.

The appointed National Conference Programme Officer should be prepared to work closely with the MIM Secretariat, initially part time during the period April to June 2007 to initiate and lay out the work-plan, and thereafter as the workload increases may have to work full time for some months leading to the Conference and beyond. The hosting national budget is therefore expected to include part and full time salary for the NCPO.

ROLES
The MIM Secretariat has the overall responsibility for organizing the Conference, and will work in partnership with the selected host institution

The local Conference Organizing Secretariat/hosting institution is foreseen to mobilize resources and funds for: 1. Setting up and maintenance of the local conference secretariat including human resources and Internet connectivity, 2. Convening of the local conference secretariat members/advisory board for regular meetings, 3. Arranging of meetings with local press and advertising the meeting, 4. Conduct of national fund raising activities,
5. Mobilizing of the national community, seeking support for and participation in the Conference, e.g. liaising with Ministry of Health and other national bodies, WHO Country Representative, public private partnerships, etc

It will be vital for the applying institution to outline suggested responsibilities and their cost implications in their proposals.

CONTACT FOR FURTHER INFORMATION AND SUBMISSION OF PROPOSALS:

Prof Joas B Rugemalila
Secretariat Coordinator
Multilateral Initiative on Malaria
African Malaria Network Trust
Tanzania Commission for Science & Technology Bldg

Ali Hassan Mwinyi Road, Kijitonyama
P O Box 33207, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
Tel: +255 (022) 2700018

Fax: +255 (022) 2700380
Email: mailto:joas.rugemalila@amanet-trust.org
Website: http://www.mimalaria.org

--
Charles L Wanga
mailto:clwanga@amanet-trust.org


Page Editor: Ali B. Ali-Dinar, Ph.D.

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