SSRC Fellowship on African Youth in a Global Age, 06/01

Fellowship on African Youth in a Global Age

The Social Science Research Council (SSRC) and the American Council of Learned Societies (ACLS), in partnership with South Africa's National Research Foundation (NRF) and the Council for the Development of Social Science Research in Africa (CODESRIA), is pleased to announce a new program for research and training on African Youth in a Global Age. The theme for the first year of the program is Youth Violence, Activism, and Citizenship. Applications are invited from junior researchers, whether academics, practitioners, or independent researchers. The fellowship includes support for field research and participation in a pre and post-field work workshops. Approximately eight to ten fellowships will be awarded this year.

Synopsis

Among scholars and policy-makers, an awareness is growing that young Africans hold the key to the continent's ability to realize the promises of an African renaissance. It is a truism that in all societies young people are "the future," but conditions in Africa make this truism especially relevant. Demographic trends reveal that African countries have extraordinarily high percentages of their populations between the ages of 15-25, many with little access to education or employment. Many are also vulnerable to reproductive health challenges (especially HIV/AIDS). As a result, many youth have to fend for themselves, their families, and communities. Fueled in part by these trends, African youth figure prominently in several of the major conflicts in the region, both as soldiers and as civilian targets. At the same time, students and the urban dispossessed have been at the forefront of democratization movements in many parts of the continent. Young people are actively participating in religious organizations and other components of civil society which aim to transform the public sphere. In some ways, the political and social mobilization of young people can be seen as claims to effective citizenship.

Thus, new and deeper knowledge of African youth's possibilities as citizens, and of the broad conditions that impinge upon these possibilities, is desperately needed. These conditions include global forces - a global economy that impinges on young people's life chances and provides a market for commodities that fuel war, flows of cultural goods and symbols that influence youth identities and relations with older generations, and universal discourses of democracy and human rights that emphasize certain definitions of citizenship (and not others). An examination of globalization and its impact upon African youth in local, social and historical contexts in particular, is needed since global forces both intensify the social exclusion of many youth and provide opportunities for transforming their situation.

The program does not seek to impose a rigid definition on youth, since demographic, legal and cultural definitions may differ. Proposals should specify what definition they are using and justify why that is appropriate, given the purpose of their research. To the extent possible, proposals should also address the theoretical and practical implications of the research.

Fellowship

Fellows will attend a five-day orientation workshop prior to research (in September 2001), receive a research grant of up to $7500 USD for their field research, and attend a final workshop at the conclusion of their fieldwork.

Eligibility

African researchers based in the region who hold at least a Masters degree and who are no more than five years beyond a Ph.D. are eligible for this program. Researchers based at universities, research institutes and practitioner organizations are all encouraged to apply. A few fellowships are also available to U.S. based Ph.D. candidates who seek field research funding for their dissertations.

Application

Applications for individual research projects on the theme of Youth Violence, Activism, and Citizenship, are due no later than Friday June 22nd, 2001. Fellows will be selected and notified in July, 2001.

Applications should include a research agenda (not more than 10 pages long), 2 letters of reference, graduate level academic transcripts, and a comprehensive curriculum vitae. Please consult our website at <http://www.ssrc.org/> www.ssrc.org, or contact us for more information prior to submitting an application. Applications should be mailed to the address below. All questions should be directed to <mailto:africa@ssrc.org> africa@ssrc.org, or to Funmi Vogt at 212-377-2700 ext. 452.

Applications will be accepted in English, French, and Portuguese. However, workshops will be conducted in English. All applicants must be conversational in English.

Send complete applications to:

Social Science Research Council

Africa Program

810 7th Avenue; 31st Floor

New York, NY 10019

Tel: 212-377-2700 ext. 452

Fax: 212-377-2727

Email: <mailto:africa@ssrc.org> africa@ssrc.org

Applicants from South Africa:

The Manager

Socio-Political Impact of Globalization: The Challenge for

South Africa

National Research Foundation, P.O.Box 2600

PRETORIA, 0001.

In the administration of it's fellowship and grant programs, the Social Science Research Council does not discriminate on the basis of age, color, creed, disability, marital status, national origin, sexual orientation, race, gender, or any other characteristic protected by applicable laws.