Junior Fellows Newsletter

Transcription

1 Contact the JF representatives: JFs Motto: Liberty - Solidarity - Unity - Peace - Love and Progress Find climes of interesting historic events in this edition of the JFs Newsletter! Model African Union Conference Bayreuth 2016 From 21st to 24th April 2016, the BIGSAS African Union work group in collaboration with the Model African Union association e.v. (MAU) organized the first Model African Union conference in Germany. The conference activities started with a preparatory workshop on public speaking and presentation skills on 16 th April The workshop was conducted by Ms. Nicola Speer, a trainer from the Institute for public speaking and methodology of the European Academy of Otzenhausen (Germany). Facilitated by BIGSAS, the full-day workshop strengthened the public speaking skills of Junior Fellows and MAU members involved in the conference. Conference organizing team with guest speakers and BIGSAS Dean-Photo: souvenirs on MAU Facebook page The AU work group had the honor of inviting and hosting two guest speakers from Africa through the facilitation of BIGSAS. H.E. Dr. Salah Siddiq Hammad, the Senior Human Rights Expert within the Department of Political Affairs of the African Union Commission (Addis Ababa) and Ms. Edith Kahbang Walla, a Cameroonian political leader whose leadership style has been recognized at international level, were present for all three days of the conference. In this time, they gave inspirational speeches and interacted with delegates and members of the public during the opening ceremony, committee sessions, panel discussion and good governance workshop. During the opening ceremony, H.E. Dr. Hammad emphasized that the Model African Union has the task of 1

2 asserting its values and political interests in a context of diversity and difference. In an interview conducted by a member of the conference public relations team, Mr. Thierry Boudjekeu, Ms. Walla declared: While I have really enjoyed it, there s been a place in my heart which is troubled for this last few days - I keep A view of panelists during the panel discussion - Photo: souvenirs on MAU Facebook page thinking how many universities in Africa are doing this. By this statement, she acknowledged the innovation made by the University of Bayreuth scholars in organizing such a conference. Ms. Kah Walla at the opening ceremony - Photo: souvenirs on MAU Facebook page BIGSAS Dean Prof. Dr. Dymitry Ibriszimow at the opening ceremony- Photo: souvenirs on MAU Facebook page The conference was featured in a press release of African Union Political Affairs Department. See more on: 2

3 BIGSASläuft BIGSAS participated in the 14th edition of the Meisel FunRun on April 1st Despite the inability of many JFs to get registered due to early sold out of the 10Km category tickets, BIGSAS was represented by JF Mbaye Seye who ran a total of 21 Kilometers in the Net Time: 1:41:15. We would like to seize this opportunity to remind BIGSAS members (Snr. and Jnr. Fellows) that we are participating in the Meinauenläuf edition of the marathon which is coming up on the 11th of June We urge all BIGSAS members to come out and cheer their colleagues who are running in the event. Afrika-Karibik Festival 2016 This year s Afrika-Karibik Festival is scheduled to take place from 15 to 17 July As our tradition, BIGSAS will host a stand at the festival ground. This year, we are showcasing "BIGSAS as an Intercultural Family" using traditional and contemporary African fashion from different parts of the continent. We intend to do different posters with various fashion trends from countries where our JFs come from or have done their fieldwork (for the non-african JFs). We would like to tell a short story on the significance of these clothing and their origins. You are all invited to participate in the photo shoot. Non-African JFs could bring their souvenir dresses acquired during their fieldwork in Africa. Alternatively, you can provide us with photos of your local clothing. We look forward to your cooperation in making this project a success. Contact persons for the festival: Liliane Ngawa and Justice Arthur. 3

4 Application to MB and AC Guidelines In the light of recent cases of late submission of applications by large number of JFs and subsequent concern by both BIGSAS Management Board (MB) and Academic Committee (AC), we would like to remind JFs to submit their applications for funding in due time. In general, the Management Board (MB) and Academic Committee (AC) expect you to submit applications at least four weeks before the scheduled start of the trip. As it is known, the MB decides on all field trip applications as well as on all other applications which are below EUR 2,000. Applications above EUR 2,000 have to be discussed in the AC. Please make sure to adhere to the following deadlines: 1. Applications for the MB have to be submitted latest before noon on the Monday preceding the meeting in the same week (e.g. applications to be discussed on 1 June 2016 have to be submitted the latest by noon on 30 ). 2. Since BIGSAS has to invite the AC meetings one week in advance, applications have to be submitted the latest before noon on the Monday in the week before the respective meeting (e.g. applications to be discussed on 15 June 2016 have to be submitted the latest by noon on 6 June 2016). The dates for the AC meetings are always determined before the semester starts and we constantly update these dates in the newsletter. 4

5 Welcome party at glance- some photos Photo: Justice Arthur 5

6 NB: Please meet your JF reps every WEDNESDAY in the Musiktrat between o'clock for personal or group consultations. SAVE THE DATES! AC meetings in summer term 2016 The next AC meetings will be held on , , and Make sure that your applications reach the BIGSAS admins office two weeks before. BIGSAS Festival of African and African-Diasporic Literatures 2016 "ReMix. Africa in Translation", 2-4 June 2016, Iwalewahaus. Meeting with a Representative of German Foreign Affairs Ministry Ms Anka Feldhusen Thursday, 2nd June, pm at S17 GSP. Please confirm your attendance by sending an to BIGSAS Dean Exhibition / interactive project "WHO" by Aderemi Adegbite, BIGSAS corridors, Date: ongoing. Mainauenläuf 10 km run, at "Landesgartenschau on Afrika-Karibik Festival MaxmillianStr and 17 July 2016 Future Africa and Beyond : Review and outlook It takes place at Iwalewahaus from 16 to 17 June Pplease send a registration to doris.loehr@uni-bayreuth.de before 9 June. For laughs see PhD comics: (Working hard!) 6