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Ford-Mozilla Open Web Fellows Program
by Simeon Oriko 24 Feb '16

24 Feb '16

Listers, Some of you may already have come across this - apologies for cross posting. ***** The Ford-Mozilla Open Web Fellows Program (https://advocacy.mozilla.org/open-web-fellows/ <https://advocacy.mozilla.org/open-web-fellows/>) call for applications is open. They’re seeking talented developers, activists, educators and other technologists eager to protect the open Internet. The goal? Combat threats to digital freedom and defend policy that keeps the Web open and free. Our 2016 cohort will be a global group. This year’s host organizations are: Centre for Intellectual Property and Information Technology Law —Nairobi, Kenya The Citizen Lab, Munk School of Global Affairs, University of Toronto—Toronto, Canada ColorOfChange.org—New York, NY Data & Society—New York, NY Derechos Digitales—Santiago, Chile European Digital Rights (EDRi) —Brussels, Belgium Freedom of the Press Foundation—San Francisco, CA Privacy International—London, United Kingdom This is a 10-month fellowship opportunity. The application window is open until March 20, and they will announce the new fellows in June. Fellows begin work in September of this year. For more information, visit https://advocacy.mozilla.org/open-web-fellows/. Sample Tweets: The application for the Ford-Mozilla Open Web Fellows program is open! Apply by March 20 https://advocacy.mozilla.org/open-web-fellows/ <https://advocacy.mozilla.org/open-web-fellows/> Join @FordFoundation @Mozilla and others in the fight to protect the #openWeb. Apply to become a Fellow by March 20: https://advocacy.mozilla.org/open-web-fellows/ <https://advocacy.mozilla.org/open-web-fellows/> Help protect the #openweb; apply to become a Ford-Mozilla Open Web Fellow with @MozillaAdvocacy by Mar. 20: https://advocacy.mozilla.org/open-web-fellows/ <https://advocacy.mozilla.org/open-web-fellows/> Simeon Oriko|Innovation Strategist Web: www.mtotowajirani.com <http://www.mtotowajirani.com/> | Twitter: @SimeonOriko <https://twitter.com/simeonoriko> LinkedIn: ke.linkedin.com/in/simeonoriko <http://ke.linkedin.com/in/simeonoriko> Cell: +254 724 892 941 | Skype: simeonoriko

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Ugandans Engaging their ICT Ministry on Net Neutrality
by Nanjira Sambuli 24 Feb '16

24 Feb '16

Just received an email that stakeholders in Uganda (via their ISOC chapter) have drafted a letter <https://goo.gl/NMOc3l> to the Minister of ICT requesting to meet and engage on the NN discussion. Good move on their end, and will keep tabs on the outcome. Regards, Nanjira Sambuli Research Lead iHub <http://www.ihub.co.ke/> | Research <http://www.ihub.co.ke/research> | UXLab <http://www.ihub.co.ke/uxlab> | Consulting <http://www.ihub.co.ke/consulting> Mobile: +254722481566 Skype: nanjirasambuli | Twitter: @NiNanjira

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Apply for Funding: Expanding Civil Society Space
by Ephraim Percy Kenyanito 23 Feb '16

23 Feb '16

Sorry for cross-posting, please share with your networks. -- -- Best Regards, Ephraim Percy Kenyanito Sub-Saharan Africa Policy Analyst Access Now | accessnow.org @ekenyanito PGP: E6BA8DC1 Fingerprint: B0FA394AF73DEB7AA1FDC7360CFED26DE6BA8DC1 Apply for Funding: Expanding Civil Society Space /CD-UNITED Grant Program to Support Democracy Projects Around the World/ The Community of Democracies invites organizations to apply for financial assistance through its CD-UNITED program, which funds projects that support and strengthen democracy in countries around the world. During the 2016 grant cycle, co-financing awards totaling $272,000 will be given to applicants who propose ways to expand the space for civil society through projects that enhance the ability of citizens and nongovernmental organizations to participate more fully in civic life. “Civil society is an essential part of the democratic community,” Secretary General Maria Leissner said. “We are committed to providing moral and financial support to those who are working to reduce the risk of a democratic recession.” CD-UNITED, funded with a generous donation from the U.S. Department of State, will provide up to $80,000 in co-financing for each approved project proposal that addresses this year’s theme: /Democracy in Action: Expanding Civil Society Space/. Applicants are responsible for securing co-funding commitments from other donors before their proposal is submitted for consideration. “We welcome concrete, action-oriented initiatives that focus on protecting civil society, which is one of our top priorities,” Leissner said. “CD-UNITED has already provided valuable support to local organizations engaged in educational campaigns and efforts to promote democracy and protect human rights. We look forward to having an even bigger impact this year.” The list of eligible recipients ranges from unregistered organizations and non-profits to universities and international organizations that are working to promote human rights, freedoms and the values enshrined in the Warsaw Declaration. The proposed activities can take place anywhere in the world. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, through 31 December 2016. Due to the high volume of applications, interested organizations are encouraged to apply as soon as possible, before funds are exhausted. *Please visit *http://www.community-democracies.org/ <http://community-democracies.us12.list-manage.com/track/click?u=4728f1b04f6…>* for the CD-UNITED application form and detailed submission requirements.* Questions should be addressed to cdunited(a)community-democracies.org <mailto:[email protected]>.

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Nairobi named most intelligent city
by Mildred Achoch 23 Feb '16

23 Feb '16

Hi all, This may be of interest: "According to the Intelligent Community Forum <http://www.intelligentcommunity.org/index.php?src=news&srctype=detail&categ…>, "intelligent communities" are those that have taken "conscious steps" to create an economy that can prosper in the "broadband economy." Here's the link: http://edition.cnn.com/2015/02/10/africa/nairobi-africa-intelligent-city Regards, Mildred. Check out the Rock 'n' roll film festival, Kenya TV Channel! http://kenyarockfilmfestivaljournal.blogspot.com

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A4AI 205/16 Affordability Report
by Mose Karanja 22 Feb '16

22 Feb '16

The Alliance for Affordable Internet (A4AI) just launched the 205/16 Affordability Report—an annual study of the state of Internet access and affordability across 51 countries (Kenya is included). It covers: The Affordability Drivers Index (ADI) Poverty, income inequality, and the case of mistaken affordability How gender inequality exacerbates affordability challenges Policy recommendations to overcome the digital divide Find the link here: http://a4ai.org/affordability-report/ <http://a4ai.org/affordability-report/> --- Moses Karanja | @Mose_Karanja <https://twitter.com/Mose_Karanja> | PGP: 0x1529552F <https://pgp.mit.edu/pks/lookup?op=index&fingerprint=on&search=0x1529552F>

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Re: [kictanet] To Block or to curse? Ad Blocks and the future of Online Marketing
by WANGARI KABIRU 22 Feb '16

22 Feb '16

Happy New Week! This is a great article, thank you for sharing - painting the situation, challenge, some solutions tested, working, failed and expressing interests of consumers, lobbies and service providers. It reflects the position of the wider entertainment and communication industry - looping in TV, Radio. The hue and cry for digital TV shift in Kenya had a lot to do with revenue loss while on the other hand opening for tracking of viewers consumpiton. Consumers are normally engrossed in accessing their service while not aware or interested in the behind the scenes dynamics. Ads play for majority of the consumers without a choice and there is an indirect bill for consumers to pay in the form of data bundles, electricity/power and time. This expense is not shared with the service provider posting the Ad that uses up the extra milisecond when you access the site. Perhaps it is the cost for accessing the service "for free". The not so mentioned yet critical aspect is the tracking without express permission or awareness of consumers, which I believe gives lobbies an even greater voice in this debate. High chances there may be some elements mentioned in the service providers terms and conditions to give legal backing. We may also cite the growing digital entrenchment in the retail industry with the loyalty cards which are used actively to track purchases to inform the stocking needs and overall consumer habits. This gives a lot of data that the retail players have as a revenue stream by sharing the data with research firms and their suppliers. Is the consumer actively conscious of all this - not really. This cuts across industries with electronic services - banks, libraries. To massage the situation, revenue share may be what we see more of - whereby service providers pay consumers for visiting their sites and viewing the Ads and allowing themselves to be tracked too. Or on the other hand, consumers pay for Adfree options. Techie Adblockers have a big business opportunity here too. Marketers have the opportunity to be persuasive yet ethical in their communique since this is business. This is truly a BIG business industry "Data" that is being refined. Have a blessed week Regards/Wangari ================= http://www.nytimes.com/2016/02/21/opinion/sunday/the-ad-blocking-wars.html "".....Moreover, when Apple made ad blockers available in its App Store last fall, they quickly became among the most downloaded apps. And later this year, Microsoft is reportedly going to allow an extension to its Edge browser that supports the most popular blocker, Adblock Plus. Read what you will into the fact that Apple and Microsoft’s business models aren’t overly reliant on advertising, unlike their rivals Google and Facebook. “By installing ad blockers, consumers are telling us very clearly they don’t want to be tracked across the web,” he said. “That’s going to be uncomfortable for a lot of advertising technology companies out there who have been enjoying what has been the Wild West.” The advertising industry’s solution thus far has been AdChoices, a program that allows consumers to opt out of some targeted ads. But critics dismiss it as window dressing because it’s confusingly presented, cumbersome to enable and not comprehensive, and does not stop tracking. While The New York Times is still weighing its options, other web publishers have responded to ad blockers using a variety of tactics. Some, like Forbes, have fought back with technology that blocks the ad blockers. But judging from the experience of the technology news website Ars Technica, blocking the blockers is a futile exercise. “The temptation is to block these people who honestly aren’t going to respond to ads anyway,” Mr. Fisher said. “I think what everybody should focus on is the educational aspect and give people the option to pay for an ad-free experience.”. Craig Spiezle, executive director of the Online Trust Alliance, a consumer advocacy group, said something similar could happen with online advertising, where stakeholders agree to observe best practices, including respecting Do Not Track, or D.N.T., which is a preference consumers can activate in their browsers. Right now, D.N.T. is largely ignored by advertisers and websites. Obscuring ads and autoplay audio and video would also likely be prohibited.........."" --- Pray God Bless. 2013Wangari circa - "Being of the Light, We are Restored Through Faith in Mind, Body and Spirit; We Manifest The Kingdom of God on Earth". -------------------------------------------- On Sun, 21/2/16, Mose Karanja via kictanet <kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke> wrote: Subject: [kictanet] To Block or to curse? Ad Blocks and the future of Online Marketing To: wangarikabiru(a)yahoo.co.uk Cc: "Mose Karanja" <mosekaranja(a)gmail.com> Date: Sunday, 21 February, 2016, 21:10 http://www.nytimes.com/2016/02/21/opinion/sunday/the-ad-blocking-wars.html YOU might have noticed that even when using a lightning-fast Internet connection, it takes a few beats, enough time to drum your fingers, for web pages to load. It’s likely because of online advertising, which bogs down your browser, drains your battery and jacks up mobile charges — not to mention collects private data.So it’s little wonder that the use of ad-blocking software grew 41 percent last year, with 198 million active users worldwide, according to a study conducted by Adobe and PageFair. This represents an existential threat to the $50 billion online advertising industry and has ignited a bitter feud between advertisers and developers of ad-blocking apps. On the sidelines, privacy advocates are pumping their fists for consumer choice while web publishers wring their hands over lost revenue.There is a lot to be said on ad blocking, content production, privacy and the annoying clickbaitism culture. As this topic goes mainstream, it would be great to know what viable options the parties have: companies paying for online marketing, intermediaries, website owners, content producers and the most important - the owner of the eyeballs. Ad value is in the eyes of the end browser, it seems. This sounds to me like a relevant research topic for the region. Anyone interested in this can reach out to me directly. ---Moses Karanja | @Mose_Karanja | PGP: 0x1529552F -----Inline Attachment Follows----- _______________________________________________ kictanet mailing list kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke https://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet Unsubscribe or change your options at https://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/wangarikabiru%40yahoo… The Kenya ICT Action Network (KICTANet) is a multi-stakeholder platform for people and institutions interested and involved in ICT policy and regulation. The network aims to act as a catalyst for reform in the ICT sector in support of the national aim of ICT enabled growth and development. KICTANetiquette : Adhere to the same standards of acceptable behaviors online that you follow in real life: respect people's times and bandwidth, share knowledge, don't flame or abuse or personalize, respect privacy, do not spam, do not market your wares or qualifications.

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Re: [kictanet] kictanet Digest, Vol 105, Issue 71
by Mose Karanja 21 Feb '16

21 Feb '16

Thank you Ali for this timely post. The question here for me goes beyond Apple the company. It is about a government asking a company to intentionally degrade the security of a product in the name of securing the country. It makes sense until you get to the details; 1. FBI have had the capacity to access the info they need. They intentionally ‘locked' themselves out of the iCloud account to ensure they have this court order. 2. FBI have been asking the political class to make a move on encryption/security. Congress has been dillydallying. They thus went to the Judiciary. The underlying motive being the assumption that unless FBI or NSA for that matter can ‘collect it all’, they cannot assure ‘total security’. I think that is a lame excuse. We can have that debate later. However, I think the security agencies should have access to targeted information as investigations lead them - with the oversight of legislature and judiciary. The problem is how to ensure this is not misused to collect any information they think they need about a society. Self censorship, fear and basically ‘guilty by default’ will be the order of the day and you really don’t want to go down that road. Back to Apple/FBI case, the marketing angle is clear, so is the privacy one. However, I think on this one it is more about security. Creating a crippled software version for one investigation opens the door for criminals hack-race. Criminals will reverse engineer this for all sorts of evils. You cannot secure the cyberspace by creating loopholes for government to use. This is myopic, to say the least. These companies might be US-Based but they operate globally - heck even in space - ask Tesla and Virgin. The next government which will come to Apple or Google or Samsung or Facebook or BRCK here in Kenya is a foreign government. Think Uganda, Syria, Kenya…because a precedent will have been made by this case. Moses. > On Feb 21, 2016, at 12:00 PM, kictanet-request(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke wrote: > > Send kictanet mailing list submissions to > kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke > > To subscribe or unsubscribe via the World Wide Web, visit > https://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet > or, via email, send a message with subject or body 'help' to > kictanet-request(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke > > You can reach the person managing the list at > kictanet-owner(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke > > When replying, please edit your Subject line so it is more specific > than "Re: Contents of kictanet digest..." > Today's Topics: > > 1. Of Data Security, Terrorism, National Security and Marketing > (Ali Hussein) > > From: Ali Hussein <ali(a)hussein.me.ke> > Subject: [kictanet] Of Data Security, Terrorism, National Security and Marketing > Date: February 21, 2016 at 7:58:47 AM EAT > To: kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke, ISOC(a)lists.my.co.ke > > > Listers > > An interesting email from Fortune Magazine, Data Sheet. > > This is Jonathan Vanian, filling in for Robert Hackett while he is off. > The battle between the public and private sector over encryption technology kicked into warp speed this week. > > On Tuesday, a federal judge in Riverside, California ordered Apple to build a custom version of its iOS operating system that can be installed into the iPhone of one of the shooters responsible for the December rampage killings in San Bernardino <http://link.fortune.com/click/6145920.22389/aHR0cDovL2ZvcnR1bmUuY29tLzIwMTU…>. > > Because the data inside the shooter’s iPhone is encrypted, the FBI can’t simply retrieve the information it wants from the device’s memory chips. Instead, it needs the device to be unlocked with the appropriate PIN number. > > However, Apple’s tough iPhone security measures make the process of guessing the phone’s PIN number a risky business. If the FBI enters the wrong PIN number too many times, the phone will permanently delete the stored data. > > A special version of the iPhone operating system that would either bypass or remove that data-deletion feature would presumably make it easier for the FBI to crack the PIN number without fearing a total data wipeout. > > Apple CEO Tim Cook was displeased with the court order and wrote a letter to customers in which he said the custom operating system is “too dangerous to create” because it circumvents the company’s security features. > > Cook claims that the government is asking Apple to weaken the measures it takes to encrypt its data. To create the custom software would set a bad precedent that “would hurt only the well-meaning and law-abiding citizens who rely on companies like Apple to protect their data.” > > That’s balderdash, the Department of Justice responded in the form of a court motion <http://link.fortune.com/click/6145920.22389/aHR0cDovL2ZvcnR1bmUuY29tLzIwMTY…>. The DOJ claimed that it won’t “require Apple to create or provide a ‘back door’ to every iPhone.” Apple’s public stance on the issue is only a “public brand marketing strategy.” > > Now, representatives of the House Energy and Commerce Committee have invited <http://link.fortune.com/click/6145920.22389/aHR0cHM6Ly9lbmVyZ3ljb21tZXJjZS5…>Cook and FBI Director James Comey to appear at a yet-to-be-scheduled hearing to discuss encryption, a topic that will almost certainly be debated during the upcoming presidential elections. Additionally, the House Judiciary Committee reportedly asked Apple officials to testify at a similar hearing on March 1. <x-apple-data-detectors://2> > This chain of events presents a perfect storm to bring the topic of encryption to the public stage. > > You have the world’s most valuable company, the U.S.’s leading criminal investigation and enforcement agency, and the controversial issues of terrorism, national security, and data privacy all intermingling. > > Over the past few years, the topic of whether companies should ease up on encryption seemed to be of interest to only those deeply involved in the issue. Occasionally, there would be a mainstream news report on the issue. But generally speaking, the topic seemed to be of concern primarily to insiders or security conference attendees. > > This time, considering the powerful players involved and its relation to a terrorist attack, the topic of encryption might stick around in the public forum. > > > Jonathan Vanian > > @JonathanVanian <http://link.fortune.com/click/6145920.22389/aHR0cHM6Ly90d2l0dGVyLmNvbS9Kb25…> > jonathan.vanian(a)fortune.com <http://link.fortune.com/click/6145920.22389/aHR0cDovL2pvbmF0aGFuLnZhbmlhbkB…> > Welcome to the Cyber Saturday edition of Data Sheet, Fortune’s daily tech newsletter. Fortune reporter Robert Hackett is off for the week. You can reach himvia Twitter, Cryptocat <http://link.fortune.com/click/6145920.22389/aHR0cHM6Ly9jcnlwdG8uY2F0Lw/55ba…>, Jabber <http://link.fortune.com/click/6145920.22389/aHR0cDovL3d3dy5qYWJiZXIub3JnLw/…>, PGP encrypted email, or however you (securely) prefer. Feedback welcome. > > > Ali Hussein > Principal > Hussein & Associates > +254 0713 601113 / 0770906375 > > Twitter: @AliHKassim > Skype: abu-jomo > LinkedIn: http://ke.linkedin.com/in/alihkassim <http://ke.linkedin.com/in/alihkassim> > > "Discovery consists in seeing what everyone else has seen and thinking what no one else has thought". ~ Albert Szent-Györgyi > > Sent from my iPad > > > _______________________________________________ > kictanet mailing list > kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke > https://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet --- Moses Karanja | @Mose_Karanja <https://twitter.com/Mose_Karanja> | PGP: 0x1529552F <https://pgp.mit.edu/pks/lookup?op=index&fingerprint=on&search=0x1529552F>

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To Block or to curse? Ad Blocks and the future of Online Marketing
by Mose Karanja 21 Feb '16

21 Feb '16

http://www.nytimes.com/2016/02/21/opinion/sunday/the-ad-blocking-wars.html <http://www.nytimes.com/2016/02/21/opinion/sunday/the-ad-blocking-wars.html> YOU might have noticed that even when using a lightning-fast Internet connection, it takes a few beats, enough time to drum your fingers, for web pages to load. It’s likely because of online advertising, which bogs down your browser, drains your battery and jacks up mobile charges <http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2015/10/01/business/cost-of-mobile-ads.h…> — not to mention collects private data. So it’s little wonder that the use of ad-blocking software grew 41 percent last year, with 198 million active users worldwide, according to a study <https://blog.pagefair.com/2015/ad-blocking-report/> conducted by Adobe and PageFair. This represents an existential threat to the $50 billion online advertising industry and has ignited a bitter feud between advertisers and developers of ad-blocking apps. On the sidelines, privacy advocates are pumping their fists for consumer choice while web publishers wring their hands over lost revenue. There is a lot to be said on ad blocking, content production, privacy and the annoying clickbaitism culture. As this topic goes mainstream, it would be great to know what viable options the parties have: companies paying for online marketing, intermediaries, website owners, content producers and the most important - the owner of the eyeballs. Ad value is in the eyes of the end browser, it seems. This sounds to me like a relevant research topic for the region. Anyone interested in this can reach out to me directly. --- Moses Karanja | @Mose_Karanja <https://twitter.com/Mose_Karanja> | PGP: 0x1529552F <https://pgp.mit.edu/pks/lookup?op=index&fingerprint=on&search=0x1529552F>

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Of Data Security, Terrorism, National Security and Marketing
by Ali Hussein 21 Feb '16

21 Feb '16

Listers An interesting email from Fortune Magazine, Data Sheet. This is Jonathan Vanian, filling in for Robert Hackett while he is off. The battle between the public and private sector over encryption technology kicked into warp speed this week. On Tuesday, a federal judge in Riverside, California ordered Apple to build a custom version of its iOS operating system that can be installed into the iPhone of one of the shooters responsible for the December rampage killings in San Bernardino. Because the data inside the shooter’s iPhone is encrypted, the FBI can’t simply retrieve the information it wants from the device’s memory chips. Instead, it needs the device to be unlocked with the appropriate PIN number. However, Apple’s tough iPhone security measures make the process of guessing the phone’s PIN number a risky business. If the FBI enters the wrong PIN number too many times, the phone will permanently delete the stored data. A special version of the iPhone operating system that would either bypass or remove that data-deletion feature would presumably make it easier for the FBI to crack the PIN number without fearing a total data wipeout. Apple CEO Tim Cook was displeased with the court order and wrote a letter to customers in which he said the custom operating system is “too dangerous to create” because it circumvents the company’s security features. Cook claims that the government is asking Apple to weaken the measures it takes to encrypt its data. To create the custom software would set a bad precedent that “would hurt only the well-meaning and law-abiding citizens who rely on companies like Apple to protect their data.” That’s balderdash, the Department of Justice responded in the form of a court motion. The DOJ claimed that it won’t “require Apple to create or provide a ‘back door’ to every iPhone.” Apple’s public stance on the issue is only a “public brand marketing strategy.” Now, representatives of the House Energy and Commerce Committee have invitedCook and FBI Director James Comey to appear at a yet-to-be-scheduled hearing to discuss encryption, a topic that will almost certainly be debated during the upcoming presidential elections. Additionally, the House Judiciary Committee reportedly asked Apple officials to testify at a similar hearing on March 1. This chain of events presents a perfect storm to bring the topic of encryption to the public stage. You have the world’s most valuable company, the U.S.’s leading criminal investigation and enforcement agency, and the controversial issues of terrorism, national security, and data privacy all intermingling. Over the past few years, the topic of whether companies should ease up on encryption seemed to be of interest to only those deeply involved in the issue. Occasionally, there would be a mainstream news report on the issue. But generally speaking, the topic seemed to be of concern primarily to insiders or security conference attendees. This time, considering the powerful players involved and its relation to a terrorist attack, the topic of encryption might stick around in the public forum. Jonathan Vanian @JonathanVanian jonathan.vanian(a)fortune.com Welcome to the Cyber Saturday edition of Data Sheet, Fortune’s daily tech newsletter. Fortune reporter Robert Hackett is off for the week. You can reach himvia Twitter, Cryptocat, Jabber, PGP encrypted email, or however you (securely) prefer. Feedback welcome. Ali Hussein Principal Hussein & Associates +254 0713 601113 / 0770906375 Twitter: @AliHKassim Skype: abu-jomo LinkedIn: http://ke.linkedin.com/in/alihkassim "Discovery consists in seeing what everyone else has seen and thinking what no one else has thought". ~ Albert Szent-Györgyi Sent from my iPad

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Peace and Security Fellowship for Women
by Ebele Okobi 20 Feb '16

20 Feb '16

In case of interest- http://www.kcl.ac.uk/sspp/sga/alc/Fellowships/Non-Degree-Awarding-Fellowshi… Peace and Security Fellowships for African Women The Peace and Security Fellowships for African Women bring together African women at the early stages of their career to undertake a carefully designed training programme in Leadership, Development and Security at the African Leadership Centre (ALC), King’s College London. The Fellowship programme is designed to expose young professional African women to the complexities of conflict, security and development and equip them for careers in this field. The programme is conceived against a number of background factors. First is the comparatively low level of women involved in peace and security issues especially as compared with those involved in human rights and development issues. Second is the need to assist African women to meet the demands of the Beijing process and more recently the UN Security Council Resolution 1325 that calls for the inclusion of women at all decision making levels in “all national regional and international institutions and mechanisms for the prevention, management and resolution of conflicts”. This Fellowship programme is aimed at challenging the existing tendency that seems to reinforce the male dominant discourse on conflict and security related matters. It will also develop a network of African women scholars working in the field whilst linking them with the peace, security and development mechanisms of African regional institutions. They are funded by the Open Society Institute and the African Women’s Development Fund. The Fellowships comprise of two six-month phases. During the first six-month phase at the ALC in Nairobi and King’s College London, the Fellows undertake full-time study of MA-level courses in leadership, security and development that are jointly developed by the ALC and King’s College London. The Fellows also have mentoring sessions on leadership, development and peace and security, delivered by a global network of renowned experts on these issues. They will study and visit various global institutions working in the field of peace and security. This phase will end with a simulation seminar during which a mock conflict management situation will be practiced. The second phase will be an attachment of Fellows to an African regional organisation, research institution or centre of excellence to undertake practical work in the field of leadership, peace and security including peace and conflict management processes. The Peace and Security Fellowship for African Women 2016-2017 is now open. For the full programme announcement including eligibility and the requirements please d<http://www.kcl.ac.uk/sspp/sga/alc/Fellowships/PSD-Fellowship-Announcement-W…>ownload PDF<http://www.kcl.ac.uk/sspp/sga/alc/Fellowships/PSD-Fellowship-Announcement-W…>, and to submit an application.<http://applications.africanleadershipcentre.org/> [Description: Description: Description: cid:[email protected]] Ebele Okobi | Head of Public Policy, Africa m. +44 (0) 771 156 1315 2 Stephen St | London | W1T 1AN ebeleokobi(a)fb.com

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