The New Partnership for Africa’s Development Agency (NEPAD) and the Technical Centre for Agricultural and Rural Cooperation ACP-EU (CTA) invite entries from African youths (writers, journalists, and others) for essay competition being organized to celebrate 10th anniversary of NEPAD. The theme of the essay competition is “Looking at ICTs and entrepreneurship in agriculture and rural development through the eyes of women and the youth” and falls in line with the objectives and framework of CTA activities on Youth, Women and ICTs.
Who Can Participate?
The competition is open to young people, men and women between 18 and 35 years of African nationality. Students, journalists and young entrepreneurs (from the civil society or private sector), men or women, are particularly encouraged to participate. Entries will be submitted in English or French.
1st category: Women and ICT in agriculture
This category is open to both young men and women. Candidate must write a story, in the format of an essay, on an African woman working in the agricultural sector, who has used ICTs in her professional businesses (for example: use of mobile phones for the marketing of horticultural products, use of mobile applications for the access to/or the dissemination of strategic information, innovative use of computer for the traceability of livestock, mixed use of internet and radio for extension, etc.).
2nd category: Youth and ICT in agriculture
This category is open to both young men and women. Candidate must write a story, in the format of an essay, on a young African professional working in the agricultural sector, a man or a woman, who has used ICTs in his/her professional businesses (for example: use of mobile phones for the marketing of horticultural products, use of mobile applications for the access to or the dissemination of strategic information, innovative use of computer for the traceability of livestock, mixed use of internet and radio for extension, etc.).
Selection Process
An international panel of judges, made up of experts in ICT and in agriculture will be set up to review entries and select winners. Pre-selected candidates may be interviewed remotely prior to the final selection.
Prizes
For each African Region (Central Africa, East Africa, North Africa, Southern Africa, West Africa) the best essay of each category will receive a prize of EUR 1000.
The winners will be invited to attend the NEPAD’s 10th Anniversary award ceremony in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, to receive their prizes.
Apart from winning entries, other best essays will also be promoted by the organizers, through various online and off-line channels, and also during the meeting organized by the NEPAD Agency in October 2011.
Last date for submitting the entries for North African youths is September 25, 2011.
For more information and details, you can visit this link.
