MSU Tuesday Bulletin, 01/31/06

Issue No. 4 Spring 2006
January 31, 2006

Weekly News from the AFRICAN STUDIES CENTER MICHIGAN STATE UNIVERSITY 100 INTERNATIONAL CENTER

EAST LANSING MI 48824-1035

For back issues, see archive <http://africa.msu.edu>

BULLETIN CONTENTS

EVENTS

MSU ANNOUNCEMENTS
FELLOWSHIPS
CONFERENCES
JOBS

EVENTS

February 1, Wednesday

"Hausa Table," every Wednesday brown bag luncheon with Dr. Ibro Chekaraou. Hausa-phones in the Lansing/East Lansing area meet to practice their Hausa in order to maintain or improve their oral skills in the language, 12:00 noon, Room 201 International Center.

February 1, Wednesday

"Meza ya Kiswahili" (Swahili table) every Wednesday in the Crossroads Food Court, 12:30 - 1:30. For information, contact Professor Deo Ngonyani, e-mail: ngonyani@msu.edu or call 353-4051.

February 2, Thursday

"Symbolic Boundaries and Contested Identities: The New Logics of Political Violence in Africa," African Studies Center Brown Bag with Abdi Kusow, Faculty in Sociology and Anthropology (Oakland Univ.), 12:00 noon, Room 201, International Center.

February 3, Friday

"The Economic Impact of AIDS Treatment: Labor Supply in Western Kenya," Lecture by Harsha Thirumurthy, (Yale Univ.), Dept. of Economics job candidate, 3:30 p.m, 3rd floor International Center.

February 9, Thursday

"Gender Gap: The Disjuncture Between Western-developed Policies and their African-determined Implementation," African Studies Center Brown Bag talk with Sandra Schmidt, Doctoral student in the College of Education, 12:00 noon, Room 201 International Center.

February 16, Thursday

"A History of Métissage in Senegal," African Studies Center Brown Bag talk with Hilary Jones, Visiting scholar (Univ. of Michigan), 12:00 noon, Room 201 International Center.

MSU ANNOUNCEMENTS

African Studies Center Application for Foreign Language and Area Studies (FLAS) 2006-07

The African Studies Center at MSU is now accepting on-line applications for FLAS fellowships for academic year 2006-07 and for the 2006 Summer Cooperative African Language Institute (SCALI). The FLAS fellowship is funded by the U.S. Department of Education Title VI program for the study of African languages and non-language courses on Africa.

Up to date information and on-line application forms are available at: http://africa.msu.edu/FLAS/FLAS.htm.

Candidates must have completed application procedures by February 17, 2006. Related application materials are to be mailed to the Assistant Director of the African Studies Center, 100 International Center, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824-1035; Phone: (517) 353-1700; Fax: (517) 432-1209; e-mail:
fisseha@msu.edu. In accordance with the Title VI centers' agreement of rotating summer course offerings under SCALI, African languages study in summer 2006 will be hosted by Indiana University-Bloomington. For info, visit: http://www.indiana.edu/afrist/scali1.html.

MSU Study Abroad in South Africa and Lesotho

The Department of Teacher Education in the College of Education and the African Studies Center at MSU would like to announce the Education, Society and Learning in South Africa and Lesotho study abroad program this summer from May 13-June 17, 2006.
This five week program will explore the relationship between formal education and society in South Africa and Lesotho, as well as in the larger context of the southern African region. Participants will visit a variety of schools (from pre-elementary to university, formal and informal), historical sites and museums, and other places of social importance in both urban and rural areas of Pretoria, Johannesburg, Lesotho, and Durban. The program will focus on issues of human diversity (race, ethnicity, socioeconomic class, gender, religion, special needs groups) and social institutions (the role of the state and non-governmental agencies, civil society, and the private sector in economic and social institutions, most importantly schools). The program is open to students from all majors, undergraduate as well as graduate students are welcome to apply.

The application deadline is March 1, 2006. For more information see the program website:
http://studyabroad.msu.edu/programs/saeducsoclearni ng.html or contact the program director Stephen Backman (backmans@msu.edu, 100 International Center, 353-1700). An information meeting will be held about the program on Wednesday, February 15, 2006 at 5:00pm in 204 International Center.

MSU and U of M to host Atlantic History workshop

On April 28-30, 2006, Michigan State University and the University of Michigan will host the second of a series of workshops in Atlantic History entitled, "'Recapricorning' the Atlantic: Luso-Brazilian and Luso-African Perspectives on the Atlantic World". The workshop will be a forum for discussing chapters from dissertations or books in progress that reflect on how new research on the Lusophone South Atlantic modifies, challenges, or confirms the expanding body of Atlantic History whose primary focus has been on the North Atlantic and the Caribbean.

Please direct inquiries to: atlantic@msu.edu or Lindsey Gish (Atlantic Workshop Coordinator), Department of History, 301 Morrill Hall, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824.

FELLOWSHIP

Sub-Saharan grad student thesis support
Deadlines October 15 & March 15

Up to $25,000 Fellowships for graduate students for thesis or dissertation research. Graduate students are eligible if from the following countries: Angola, Benin, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Central African Rep., Dem. Rep. Congo, Djibouti, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Gabon, Ghana, Guinea, Kenya, Lesotho, Liberia, Madagascar, Malawi, Mali, Mauritania, Mozambique, Namibia, Niger, Nigeria, Rwanda, Sao Tome/Principe, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Somalia, South Africa, Sudan, Swaziland, Tanzania, Togo, Uganda, Zambia, Zimbabwe...Working in the following fields broadly related to agriculture: " the science and practice of activity related to food, feed, and fiber production, processing, marketing, distribution, utilization, and trade, and also includes family and consumer sciences, nutrition, food science and engineering, agricultural economics and other social sciences, forestry, wildlife, fisheries, aquaculture, floriculture, veterinary medicine, and other environmental and natural resources sciences." See details, including work with a CGIAR scientist, at: http://leap.ucdavis.edu. The Borlaug LEAP is a fellowship program, funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), to enhance the quality of thesis research of graduate students from developing countries who show strong promise as leaders in the field of agriculture and related disciplines as defined by Title XII. LEAP is part of the overall Borlaug International Agricultural Science and Technology Fellows Program sponsored by the USDA.

The LEAP program will support engaging a mentor at a Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR) system center to support and enhance the thesis research and mentoring experience. Awards will be made on a competitive basis to students who show strong scientific and leadership potential, have a well coordinated proposal between their home university, a US university mentor, and the CGIAR mentor, and whose research is related to a strong research and support project within the host country. Emphasis will be placed on work that has relevance to the national development of the students home country. Awards will be made twice a year but applications may be received at any time. The focus region for the current Request for Applications (RFA) is sub-Saharan Africa.

Applications received by October 15th will be reviewed and grant recipients will be notified the following January. Applications received by March 15th will be reviewed and grant recipients will be notified the following May. Students should plan to begin their fellowship within one year of notification.

CONFERENCES

International Conference - Western Michigan Univ.

The WMU Center for African Development Policy Research (CADPR) announces an International Symposium on "Challenges and Opportunities Development and Peaceful Conflict Resolution in the Horn of Africa" to be held August 3-5, 2006 at Western Michigan University, in Kalamazoo, Michigan, USA. The Horn of Africa (compromising of Ethiopia, Eritrea, Sudan, Somalia, and Djibouti) is one of the most strategic areas of Africa and the global economy. It is a bridge between Africa and the Middle East, as well as the oil fields of the Persian Gulf. It is a culturally and historically rich region of the world with great natural resource potential. It is a region of diversity in culture, languages, and religions. In spite of these potentials, it is currently one of the poorest and unstable sub-region of Africa. The objectives of the conference are to: 1. Raise awareness about critical issues of conflict that drives conflict driven underdevelopment and poverty in the Horn of Africa sub-region, 2. Provide a forum for constructive and informed dialogue on key policy options for peaceful conflict resolution for future development and progress, 3. Exchange research papers on the various dimensions of Conflict and Human development, and 4. Build consensus on policy options that are crucial for future progress in the Horn for peaceful conflict resolution, development, peace and democratic governance both among states and within states. The Symposium is intended for academics, policy makers, investors, and donors and others interested in contemporary issues in the Horn of Africa.

The Conference Conveners invite proposals on development issues and topics related to the following sub-themes: 1.Conflict, peaceful conflict resolution and Development; 2.Historical and cultural Origins of Conflict and lessons for Peaceful conflict resolution; 3. The impact of conflict on economic development and progress; 4. Managing Ethnic and Religious conflict; 5. Terror, Conflict and Conflict Resolution; 6. The Impact of globalization on regional and state conflicts; 7. The relationship between governance and human conflict; 8. Natural and humanitarian disasters and Conflict; 9. Managing Conflict in national Elections; 10. The Role of US in Peaceful Conflict Resolution and Development; 11. The impact of Globalization, conflict and terrorism and; other topics related to the Conference Theme.

Each contributor is invited to complete and submit the participation form (see website) and one typed double- spaced copy of the proposal. Abstracts that do not include a completed Participation Form will be regarded as incomplete and will not be accepted. Visit http://www.wmich.edu/hcenter/cadpr/call.for.papers.2 006.html for registration, specific venue, and other information. Please send all abstracts or proposals by April 15, 2006 to: International Conference on Conflict Resolution and Development in Ethiopia and the Horn of Africa, Center for African Development Policy Research (CADPR), Haenicke Institute for Global Education (HINGE), Western Michigan University, Kalamazoo, MI 49008, USA; Fax: (616) 387-0630; e- mail: sisay.asefa@wmich.edu. All abstracts may be sent by electronic mail to SISAY.ASEFA@WMICH.EDU.

JOBS

Agenda Journal, Feminist Media Project -2 positions

The Agenda Feminist Media Project seeks a full-time Project Director and a full-time Journal Editor to become integral members of its team, which is dedicated to raising women's voices and discussing women's issues in Africa. The Project Director is responsible for overseeing Agenda's operations, which includes Agenda's quarterly journal publication, website, radio, and writing programmes. Past managerial, budgetary, and fundraising experience required. The Journal Editor is responsible for conceptualizing, commissioning, and editing Agenda's quarterly journal publication.

Candidates are encouraged to peruse the Agenda website to obtain additional information on Agenda's philosophy and projects. Agenda is committed to the principles of non-sectarianism, anti-racism, and anti-homophobia and guards against all other forms of discrimination. Agenda is an equal opportunity employer but preference is given to female candidates. The deadline for applications is 1600 (4:00 p.m.) on 10 February 2006.

Please submit a one-page letter of motivation, three traceable references, and a CV. The process of selection will commence on 10 February 2006 and will cease only after the vacancy has been filled or a decision is taken not to fill the post.

Applications will be received by e-mail or post and must be addressed to the Chair of the Board. Please submit all CVs and cover letters as follows: Email to: editorial@agenda.org.za. Indicate Director/Project Manager or Publications Editorial Job Application in subject-line. Mail to: Chair of the Board, Agenda, Re. Director/Project Manager or Publications Editorial Job Application [please specify], P.O. Box 61163, Bishopsgate, 4008 Durban, South Africa

For further information and details, please contact: Christine Davis, Writing Programme Coordinator, Agenda Feminist Media Project, Tel: 031 304 7001,

Fax: 031 304 7018; e-mail: editorial@agenda.org.za;
website: http://www.agenda.org.za.

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