The Africa-America Institute and the African Studies Association announce the first Claude Ake Memorial Awards Program competition,  funded by the Ford Foundation.

"The struggle [to control Africa's development agenda] has been  construed too narrowly as one over economic and political power. . [Rather] it is also a struggle of ideas and knowledge. . Without  articulating how to proceed and why, our march to development cannot
really begin." From Knowledge, Public Policy and Development: The Case
of Social Science.

These are the words of the late Claude Ake, an activist for democracy, a
visionary, and a scholar of global standing. They were presented as part
of the challenge he issued a decade ago to colleagues in the Nigerian
scholarly community who, at his invitation convened at the Nigerian
Institute for International Affairs in Lagos to envision the
institutional mission of what later became the Centre for Advanced
Social Science. Throughout his professional life, Ake was critically
engaged with the political and economic realities in his country and was
at the forefront among scholar-activists who championed social justice,
economic development, and democracy. He challenged African intellectuals
to help construct an African consciousness about development, a
consciousness that would guide Africans in conceiving of African
solutions to African problems and, indeed, problems faced around the
world. A remarkable leader, he was an expert on political theory,
political economy and development studies. This awards program was
created to honor his life and work.

The Claude Ake Memorial Awards Program seeks to encourage young African
scholars/activists to carry out research, reflection and writing about
their ideas and/or activities. The award is intended for Africans who
are engaged in knowledge-based and reality-informed problem solving to
address the continent's development challenges.

Successful applicants will receive stipends of $5,000 for innovative
research aimed at meeting challenges that face the continent of Africa.
Ake award recipients will travel to the United States to participate in
study tours that are designed to support their individual research
interests. In addition, the Ake Scholars will attend the African Studies
Association (ASA) Annual Meeting in Houston, TX, November 15-18, 2001
where they will present their research to a representative cross section
of the Africanist community in the United States. The Africa-America
Institute will compile a resource book with syntheses of the Ake
Scholars' research and distribute it widely to academic and other
audiences.

Application Process: Applications may also be downloaded via the
Internet at: www.aaionline.org. Applications will be reviewed by a panel
of distinguished scholars of African studies in the humanities and
social sciences. Complete applications must be received in hard copy at
the Africa-America Institute no later than October 27, 2000. Fax and
email applications will not be accepted.

Notification of the awards will take place on or about February 28,
2001.

Eligibility: This program is intended primarily for African
scholar/activists residing on the continent of Africa. Awards may also
be made to select African applicants residing outside of Africa.
Preference is given to individuals who have not recently visited North
America. Proficiency in written and spoken English is required.

Themes:  The following are suggested areas of research. We welcome
proposals in all areas related to the social sciences and humanities,
and especially those that address issues in the researchers' fields in
creative ways.

1. Democracy and Citizenship: New Political Processes and Popular Participation
2. Gender Relations and the Empowerment of Women
3. Use of Information Technology in the Production of Knowledge, Social  Change and Activism
4. The Impact of the "Brain Drain": Strategies of Reintegration.
5. Refugees and Disrupted Communities
6. Conflict Resolution
7. Community Activism
8. Environmental Issues
9. Science and Health with Social Implications

Completed applications should be sent to:
The Africa-America Institute
Claude Ake Memorial Awards
1625 Massachusetts Avenue, N.W., Suite 400
Washington, D.C. 20036-2259
U.S.A.

For inquiries, please contact the Africa-America Institute at the above
address or by email: award@aaionline.org.

The mission of The Africa-America Institute (AAI) is to expand
educational and professional training opportunities for Africans, foster
greater understanding of Africa in America, and promote mutually
beneficial US-Africa relations. Founded in 1953, AAI is a multi-racial,
multi-ethnic, nonprofit organization, with offices in New York and
Washington, DC, and a presence in 20 African countries.

The African Studies Association (ASA) was founded in 1957 as a nonprofit
organization open to all individuals and institutions interested in
African affairs. With over 3,000 individual and institutional members
worldwide, ASA is the leading North American organization that promotes
African studies. Its mission is to bring together people with a
scholarly and professional interest in Africa.


Loree D. Jones
Executive Director
African Studies Association
Rutgers University
Douglass College
132 George Street
New Brunswick, NJ 08901-1400
Telephone: 732-932-8173
Fax: 732-932-3394
http://www.africanstudies.org