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ANNOUNCEMENT

• The HIV/AIDS Challenge in Africa - Call for Proposals
• Funding for Research and Training on Issues of Global Security and Cooperation
• ISS Postgraduate Diploma Programme
• Guideline to Subscribers of OSSREA Online Publications

The HIV/AIDS Challenge in Africa - Call for Proposals

Introduction

The Organization for Social Science Research in Eastern and Southern Africa (OSSREA) is a sub-regional, non-governmental, research organization based in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Currently it has liaison offices in 13 eastern and southern African countries. Founded in 1980, OSSREA has been engaged in the study and promotion of social sciences in Africa. (Detailed information about OSSREA is available at http://www.ossrea.net.)

OSSREA is pleased to announce the launching of a research project on the HIV/AIDS Challenge in Africa with financial support obtained from Sida/SAREC. OSSREA welcomes proposals for this research project.

Research Themes

The theme of the research project is The HIV/AIDS Challenge in Africa. The project generally emphasizes the social science dimensions of HIV/AIDS in Africa and incorporates the following sub-themes:

Economic impacts of HIV/AIDS (including macroeconomic impacts, sectoral impacts, poverty impacts, etc.)

Social impacts of HIV/AIDS (including changes in family structure, stigma and migration, etc.)

Gender and HIV/AIDS (including power imbalances, women’s rights, vulnerability differentials, gender sensitive policies, etc.)

HIV/AIDS and response mechanisms (including coping, actors, modalities and types of social support and other intervention strategies, etc.)

Objectives of the Research Project

The project aims to achieve the following objectives:

· To assess how HIV/AIDS affects agriculture, health and education sectors based on comparative regional and country case studies by taking into account sector and regional variations.

· To evaluate how well the HIV/AIDS epidemic is taken into account in poverty reduction strategies based on comparative regional and country case studies.

· To study the condition of HIV/AIDS orphans in relation to forced migration, interruption of education, insufficient emotional care, inadequate nutrition, shelter and clothing, and lack of legal protection of orphans’ property, based on comparative regional and country case studies.

· To study the relationship between gender and HIV/AIDS with reference to power imbalance and women rights.

· To study the status of AIDS victims with reference to coping strategies and social support based on comparative regional and country case studies.

· Based on the research findings, to provide policy-makers and development practitioners with options for tackling the various socio-cultural and economic problems emanating from the HIV/AIDS epidemic.

Each research proposal, however, is expected to indicate its own specific objectives according to the requirements of each research problem.

Country Focus

The research project adopts a case study approach that includes (i) Ethiopia, (ii) Kenya, (iii) South Africa, and (iv) Zimbabwe.

Collaboration

OSSREA encourages researchers involved in this project to collaborate with the country National HIV/AIDS Councils and other government and non-government agencies involved in HIV/AIDS programs and policy issues at the national level.

Eligibility Criteria

Candidates who wish to apply should fulfil the following criteria:

A Ph.D. degree in any of the following disciplines: Anthropology, Demography, Economics, Epidemiology, Population Studies, Public Health, Sociology, or related disciplines.

Research experience in HIV/AIDS-related issues in the above mentioned countries.

Proposal Content

The project focuses on three disciplines:

Economics/ Health Economics. Proposals from applicants with these disciplines are expected to raise issues related to the economic aspects of HIV/AIDS in line with the above-mentioned objectives with reference to the country under consideration.

Epidemiology/ Public Health. Proposals from applicants in these disciplines are expected to emphasize issues such as the dynamics of HIV epidemic and its impact with reference to the country under consideration.

Sociology/Demography/Population Studies. Proposals from applicants in these disciplines are expected to focus on research problems related to socio-cultural aspects of HIV/AIDS with reference to the country under consideration.

Application Requirements

An application letter should be submitted together with the following supporting documents:

A research proposal not more than 20 pages (1.5 inches line space) focusing on any one of the above research themes;

A current curriculum vitae of the applicant including age, gender, educational level, nationality, and detailed address (P.O. Box, Tel., Fax, & E-Mail);

Evidence of research experience in the proposed field of research (e.g. sample of publications);

Copies of academic credentials.

Research Grant

OSSREA plans to award the grant to 12 successful applicants (three from each country). The budget for each candidate’s research proposal should not exceed USD 15,000. The proposal should clearly indicate the cost breakdown of the activities entailed and the resources required.

Selection Procedure

A jury of senior scholars will select 12 proposals (three from each country).

Application Deadline

Proposals should be submitted to OSSREA by express mail before 30th November 2002.

Contact Address

Completed applications and inquiries should be addressed to:

The Coordinator
HIV/AIDS Research Project
Sidist Killo
OSSREA
P.O.Box 31971
Addis Ababa
Ethiopia

Tel. 251-1-551163
Fax. 251-1-551399
E-mail: ossrea@telecom.net.et

Funding for Research and Training on Issues of Global Security and Cooperation

The Global Security and Cooperation Program (GSC) of the Social Science Research Council is pleased to announce 3 new funding opportunities for research and training on the underlying causes and conditions of conflict and insecurity. There are no citizenship or nationality requirements.

The GSC Program particularly seeks to bridge the gap between the knowledge held by practitioners – human rights activists, humanitarian relief workers and development consultants, etc. – and academics. We believe that new and more appropriate forms of collaboration between these two communities are vital for both understanding and ameliorating the varieties of threats to human security around the world. The MacArthur Foundation funds the following fellowships:

Research Fellowships for Professional Working in International Affairs

Applications are invited from practitioners (NGO professionals, activists, journalists, lawyers, etc.) to conduct a research and writing project for 8-18 months under the supervision of an academic mentor in a university or research institute. A significant piece of writing is expected as a result. Applicants should have 5-15 years of experience working in issues related to international security and cooperation. Maximum award: $38,000 per year. Deadline: December 2, 2002.

Postdoctoral Fellowships on Global Security and Cooperation

Applications are invited from scholars holding a Ph.D. or equivalent for 8-18 months of support. The first half of the fellowship is to be spent working in a nongovernmental, international or multilateral organization involved in peace and security issues. The second half must be spent conducting a research project informed by that experience. Maximum award: $38,000 per year. Deadline: December 2, 2002.

Dissertation Fellowships on Global Security and Cooperation

Applications are invited from students working towards the Ph.D. or equivalent for a two-year fellowship. The first year must be spent working at a non-governmental, international or multilateral organization involved in peace and security issues outside the applicant’s country of residence. The second year must be spent conducting a research project related to that experience. Maximum award: $19,000 per year. Deadline: December 2, 2002.

For more information and application forms please contact GSC at:

Social Science Research Council
Global Security & Cooperation Programme 2040 S Street NW,
WASHINGTON, DC 20009
E-mail: gsc@ssrc.org
Web: www.ssrc.org
Tel. 202 332-5572
Fax: 202-332-9051

ISS Postgraduate Diploma Programme

The ISS offers a series of Postgraduate Diploma Programmes on key issues of current relevance in preparation and implementation of development policy. These short Diploma Programmes of six to ten weeks are directed to the needs of mid-career professionals in public and private sector organisations in developing countries and transition economies. Courses have been developed especially for professionals working in national, provincial and local government, non-governmental organisations, and academics in universities, research institutes and other educational organisations.

Philosophy

The Diploma Programmes have been carefully designed to enable participants to explore the opportunities and challenges in specific development issues. Participants are offered every opportunity to expand their horizons in open dialogue with ISS academic staff and their fellow course participants.

Development issues are placed in a multicultural setting and analysed from a broad perspective – political, legal, economic and social. An essential part of this process is comparative analysis of similarities and differences determined by geography, culture and history. Every effort is made to understand development and change at local, national, regional and international level within the wider context of globalisation processes.

Methods

The Diploma Programmes are policy-oriented, issue-driven and skill-intensive and comprise course work with exercises, case studies and individual and group assignments based wherever possible on real-life situations. In some Diploma Programmes, study visits will be organised to Dutch and international organisations of specific relevance to the Programme. Where appropriate, training will be given in the use of computer software, particularly in Programmes requiring application of quantitative analytical techniques.

Admission requirements

Applicants are required to have completed a Bachelor’s degree or equivalent (three years minimum university study) in one of the social sciences. The level should be at least class 2.2, B or equivalent, as determined by the Netherlands Organisation for International Cooperation in Higher Education (NUFFIC).

In addition, applicants are expected to have professional experience relevant to the Diploma Programme. Some Diploma Programmes have specific professional requirements, which are indicated in the Programme description.

All Programmes are conducted in English and applicants who are not native English speakers are required to demonstrate their proficiency in the language. Thus on application for admittance to an ISS Programme, students must provide a certificate from TOEFL (minimum score 500; computer-based test minimum score 173) or IELTS/British Council (minimum score 5.5).

Course offerings

15 January – 28 March 2003

Effective Social Policies for Human Development

Human Rights

International Law and Sustainable Development

Universalising Socio-Economic Security for the Poor

Managing Rural Resources and Resource Conflicts

16 April – 27 June 2003

Modelling and Accounting for Sustainable Development

Governance, Democratisation and Public Policy

Globalisation and Development

Children, Youth and Development

14 May – 27 June 2003

Policy Analysis Skills for Transition Economies

For further information please visit the ISS website or send an e-mail for requesting a form.

Website: www.iss.nl
E-mail: Student.office@iss.nl

Guideline to Subscribers of OSSREA Online Publications

OSSREA has made most of its publications available online for a modest annual subscription fee. Individuals and institutions that are OSSREA members have been given a 50% and 30% discount, respectively, for the subscription of the online publications. However, all interested subscribers should note the following:

· All online subscriptions are valid for the given calendar year only. This means that all subscriptions expire on December 31 irrespective of when the order was placed. Until the end of the calendar year, the subscriber will have full access to all the online publications subscribed.

· Payments should be made in advance.

· Subscriptions by members can be paid in local currencies to the respective Liaison Officers in Eastern and Southern African countries (their addresses are available in the National Chapters section of our website http://www.ossrea.net). Subscribers will get full access to the online publications as soon as proof of payment is received by the OSSREA Secretariat in Addis Ababa.

· The subscription form can be downloaded from our website (http://www.ossrea.net).

· To subscribe through the OSSREA head office or for further information, please contact:

Publications Officer
OSSREA
P. O. Box 31971
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Fax: 251-1-551399
Email:pub.ossrea@telecom.net.et

Annual Subscription Rate (US$) for Online Publications

AFRICA

N.B. Table of Contents (TOC) and abstracts of the above publications are freely accessible under the Publications Section of the website: http://www.ossrea.net

Rest of the World

N.B. Table of Contents (TOC) and abstracts of the above publications are freely accessible under the Publications Section of the website: http://www.ossrea.net

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