Tina’s film shortlisted for award
October 20, 2010 by Webmaster · Leave a Comment
Tina Gharavi has been shortlisted for the TalkTalk Digital Heroes Awards, which aims to reward people who are using digital technology and the internet to bring about social change.
She’s been put forward for the award after her work with people from migrant communities to increase awareness of asylum and refugee issues.
Winners of refugee media awards announced
June 27, 2010 by Webmaster · Leave a Comment
Positive Reporting on asylum seeker s brings applause to newsmen
Billy Briggs from The Herald Magazine has bagged the first prize in the national print category in `the refugee media awards’ for celebrating positive reporting on asylum seekers. The second slot went to Stephen Naysmith from the Sunday Herald.
The Refugee Week Scotland 2010 Media Awards were organised by Oxfam Scotland. The ceremony took place in Glasgow. The awards were a part of Refugee Week Scotland and supported by organisations including the Scottish Refugee Council, the National Union of Journalists and the British Red Cross.
In the local print category, Caroline Wilson from the Evening Times topped the list, while David Clegg from The Courier came the runner-up.
The photography award went to Colin Mearns from The Herald and Sunday Herald. Maurice McDonald from Universal News and Sport came second for pictures published in the Daily Record.
Sabrina Ramzan from the University of Strathclyde and Martin Graham from Caledonian University shared the New Voices Student Journalism Award for work published in the Sunday Herald.
Aideen McLaughlin from Oxfam Scotland said the caliber of this year’s entries was unprecedented. He congratulated the entrants on the quality and consideration of their work which made a difference to the lives of refugees and asylum seekers living in Scotland.
Outstanding volunteers win Uni awards
May 25, 2010 by Webmaster · Leave a Comment
University of Manchester – The remarkable volunteering achievements of University of Manchester staff and students have been recognised and celebrated at a special awards ceremony.
Over 100 students, staff and invited guests attended the event, which saw the presentation of two new volunteering awards.
The Community Service and Volunteer of the Year Awards for students and staff were launched earlier this year.
First place and recipient of the University Medal for Social Responsibility was lecturer Dr Alison Jeffers from the School of Arts, Histories and Cultures.
Her activities, including theatre, dance, song, poetry and games have been helping a group of asylum seekers and refugees from Africa.
After the ceremony Alison said: “I feel very proud to have won this award and honoured to be the first member of staff to win the Medal for Social Responsibility.
“I enjoy volunteering because I get to do things and meet people that would not be possible as part of my job or social life.
“I believe we have an obligation to share the huge privilege we enjoy in the university with those outside the institution.”
And the top student and recipient of the University Medal for Social Responsibility was Benjamin Scheerbarth, BSc (Hons) International Management.
Benjamin has led 100 volunteers and ten innovative projects which sustainably empower individuals and organisations within local and international communities.
As a student on the Manchester Leadership Programme (MLP), Ben earned the MLP Gold Award for his volunteering work and also qualified for the Bronze Volunteer Award working with Manchester World Sport.
Benjamin said: “Volunteering is a really worthwhile thing to do.
“Very few other opportunities offer this level of freedom to choose what to do and how to do it.
“Helping others whilst being amongst friends is one of the most fulfilling things I can imagine doing.”
The nominations for the awards reflected a diverse range of volunteering activity, including supporting vulnerable adults and children, fundraising, environmental projects and working with local communities in wards close to the campus.
While most of the volunteering took place in Manchester and the UK, nominations were also received for students and staff who volunteer overseas, including in South Africa, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Nicaragua, and Tanzania.
Many of the students nominated were current or previous participants on the Manchester Leadership Programme.
A new University Medal for Social Responsibility was also launched at the event. The medal, part of the suite of established President’s Distinguished Achievement Awards, was given to the overall winners of the Community Service and Volunteer of the Year Awards.
The winners were selected by independent judging panels comprising university staff and representatives of charities and not-for-profit organisations.
Professor Dame Nancy Rothwell, Deputy Vice-President and Deputy Vice-Chancellor, gave the Keynote Address and presented the awards. She said: “Social responsibility lies at the heart of the university’s mission.
“These awards are an important part of demonstrating our commitment to help improve the lives of communities in Manchester and around the globe, and we applaud the inspiring achievements of our students and staff.”
The awards and event were organised, on behalf of the university, by the MLP, Careers and Employability Division.
Zimbabwe Teachers Network supports Betty Makoni for CNN Hero Award 2009
November 11, 2009 by Webmaster · Leave a Comment
Responsibilities, Accomplishments And Experience:
• Betty Makoni has played a leadership role in creating a dynamic organisation, with progressive programs, strong grassroots partners, 500 girls’ clubs, an active board, effective staff, 200 supportive volunteers, 20 funding partners, mainstreamed Gender and HIV/AIDS in all programs targeting girls and communities
• She is now responsible for fundraising for the annual budget in GCN. Between 1999 to date, she has managed to identify locally based and international funding partners and long term funding partners for GCN and managed to build strong alliances with among others, Stephen Lewis Foundation, Netherlands Organization for international Development Co-operation (Novib), Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA), Pacific Institute for Women’s Health, International Development Exchange (IDEX), Firelight Foundation, Global Fund for Women, United States of America Embassy, India Arts (USA), Whole Child Initiative, Global Catalyst, Women World Summit Foundation (WWSF), Zimbabwe Appeal Fund (UK), Urgent Action Fund for Women’s Rights (USA), Oxfam GB, Egmont Trust, Royal Netherlands Embassy, UNICEF, European Commission, Medica Mondi ale,
• Provide feedback and guidance on the appropriateness of proposed policies within the organisation’s mission, vision and values. To date assisted GCN come up with the Accounting and Procedures Manual, Personnel Policy, HIV/AIDS At The Workplace Policy, Safe house policy and Volunteer Policy.
AWARDS RECEIVED
• Selected for 1999 to 2009 Decade Child Rights Global Vote by the World Children’s Prize alongside Graca Machel and Nelson Mandela -Sweden
• Amnesty International Ginetta Sagan Award for women and children’s rights, USA May 2008
• Elected Ashoka fellow and is part of the Global leading Social Entrepreneurs in recognition of creative and entrepreneurial leadership and commitment to make large scale changes in Society
• Women Empowerment Award 2007
• Runner Up-Director of the Year Award for NGO sector in Zimbabwe-2008
• Finalist One World Person of the Year 2007
• Selected one of The Outstanding Young Persons of the World 2007 by the Junior Chamber International, a worldwide leadership organization for young leaders and professionals.
• Nominated Ashoka Fellow in 2007, a unique recognition awarded to men and women who are the greatest social entrepreneurs in the world
• Awarded by the World Children’s Prize for the Rights of the Child the Global Friends Award and the World Children’s Prize an equivalent of Nobel Prize for Children in 2007 in a Global Vote when she was voted by 5,2 million children in 85 countries
• Awarded the Zimbabwe Institute of Management National Contribution Award in 2007 for her immense contribution to national development
• The United Nations Red Ribbon Award -2006 for addressing gender inequalities that fuel the HIV/AIDS epidemic
• Hafkin Price Award Finalist, 2003
• Awarded for Creativity in Rural Life by the Women’s World Summit Foundation, Switzerland 2003. Prize Betty Makoni for Prevention of Child Abuse now renamed Prize for Prevention of Child Abuse is celebrated on 19 November annually
• Small Technical Grant Award for the most innovative Grassroots Community Based Strategy
• Certificate of Honor by Global Philanthropy Forum for being the most Remarkable person, USA 2002
• Registered Human Rights Defender by Frontline Human Rights Defenders , Dublin, Ireland
Other responsibilities and Honors
• International Guest Program Scholarship at the International Center for Tolerance Education in New York, U.S.A. (January 1-March 30,2007)
• Nominated to be Zimbabwe’s Global Call Against Poverty (GCAP) Ambassador for 2006
• International Scholarship, XVI International Aids Conference by the International AIDS Society, Toronto Canada (August 2006)
• Women World Summit, Switzerland, established the annual Prize Betty Makoni for Prevention of Child Abuse, celebrated World Wide on 19 November in recognition of my work combating child abuse at the grassroots level.
• Prize for Women’s Creativity in Rural Life by the Women World Summit, Switzerland (October 2003)
• Nominated and Registered Human Rights Defender for The 2nd Dublin Platform for Human Rights Defenders organised by Frontline Defenders of Human Rights Defenders (September 2003)
• Certificate in Recognition of Remarkable Individuals from Around The World, Global Philanthropy Forum on Borderless Giving, USA (June 2003)
OTHER PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
• Member of Oxfam Novib Round Table 2007 to date
• Member of UNAIDS Reference Group –which acts like a policy advisory board and draws international experts
• Chairperson, Women’s Coalition of Zimbabwe (2005 to 2007) The Women’s Coalition of Zimbabwe is an umbrella grouping of at least 35 NGOs from across Zimbabwe working on various women’s issues
• International Advisory Board Member, Grant Makers Without Borders (GWOB) (2003 to date) GWOB is a Network of International Foundations and Donors based in USA
• Board Member, International Development Exchange (IDEX) (2001 to 2007). IDEX is a non-profit organisation based in San Francisco, USA, that partners with grassroots organizations in Africa, Asia and Latin America
• Patron, St Oswald’s Primary School, Mhondoro, Zimbabwe. Am spearheading a two year development program 2004-2006 for the rural based school where 50% of school children are orphaned by HIV/AIDS
• Committee Member, NGO Directors’ Forum in Zimbabwe (2003) for Nango (National Association of Non Governmental Organizations )
• Head of English Department & Teacher (1996 to 1999)
A-level English and General Paper and Artistic Director of the school’s drama club at Zengeza 1 High School
• Gender and Development Practitioner, Musasa Project (1998 to 1999) Volunteer and focus group discussion facilitator
• Chief Adjudicator, Artists Against Poverty Campaign (1998 to 1999) A Joint Venture of United Nations Development Programme and National Arts Council
RESEARCH EXPERIENCE
2008: Collection and deposition of evidence for rape survivors during political Violence in Zimbabwe in partnership with AIDS FREE WORLD
2006: 1000 Worst Rape Cases – Rape cases in the 0-16 years age group in schools, churches, by high profile people, strangers and relatives
2004 – Gender Based Violence Desk Study (August 1998 to August 2004 in Retrospect)
2005 – Activism Around Violence Against Girls In Zimbabwe
2003 – Action Research on HIV/AIDS and Girls’ Reproductive Health And Effects of Shortage of Sanitary Towels on the Reproductive Health of the Girl Child In Zimbabwe- funded by the Pacific Institute for Women’s Health.
1996 – University of Zimbabwe Fourth Year Special Honors: Research Thesis on The Role of Theatre for Development in Development. Developed and Administered Women’s Performing Arts Groups and carried out a comparative analysis of grassroots communication mediums and Theatre for Development to determine the role played by theatre in participatory development at grassroots level. Thereafter incorporated findings in designing a grassroots development organization, Girl Child Network
Director
Zimbabwe Teachers Network
Zimbabwe Teachers Network is an organisation dedicated to enabling a productive education system in disadvantaged Zimbabwe schools, which through: teacher professional development, provision of essential education needs, and harnessing of human resources through interchange with other educators and students worldwide, produces a capable, innovative and self- reliant future generation.
Freedom to Create Prize announces finalists
October 28, 2009 by Webmaster · Leave a Comment
The shortlist for the 2009 Freedom to Create Prize has been announced. Winners for the Main, Youth and Imprisoned Artist Prize categories will be unveiled at an awards ceremony to be held at the Victoria and Albert Museum, London, on 25 November 2009.
Mohsen Makhmalbaf, the celebrated filmmaker and official overseas spokesman for 2009 Iranian presidential candidate Mir-Hossein Mousavi, is today revealed as one of the shortlisted finalists for the 2009 Freedom to Create Prize. He joins Western Saharan singer Aziza Brahim, imprisoned Burmese poet Saw Wei and Afghani installation artist Sheenkai Alam Stanikzai and other artists from around the globe shortlisted for the award, which carries US$125,000 in prize money.
Freedom to Create Prize founder Richard Chandler praised the bravery of this year’s 1,015 artists from 110 countries who entered the prize.
“The Freedom to Create Prize is the only award of its kind in the world. It celebrates the power of art to fight oppression, break down stereotypes and build trust in societies where the social fabric has been ripped apart by conflict, violence and misunderstanding,” said Mr Chandler. “Of most importance, the Prize also celebrates the bravery of artists who pursue their craft despite great danger to themselves.”
It will be judged by a panel of high profile artists, opinion formers, and human rights experts: Leading international human rights lawyer and jurist on the UN’s Internal Justice Council Geoffrey Robertson QC; composer and founder of West-Eastern Divan Orchestra Daniel Barenboim; co-founder, along with Koffi Annan, of global diplomatic group, The Elders, and founder of Indian women and micro-finance movements Dr Ela Bhatt; BBC arts correspondent Razia Iqbal; Time Out founder and chair of Human Rights Watch Tony Elliot; award-winning Anglo-Indian artist Sacha Jafri; New York-based arts lawyer Peter Stern; artist and philanthropist Ana Tzarev; and Zimbabwean playwright Cont Mhlanga, winner of the inaugural Freedom to Create Prize in 2008.
Freedom to Create is an initiative that seeks to improve lives by addressing society’s ability to support and sustain creativity. The initiative focuses on those societies in greatest need.
For more information please visit: www.freedomtocreateprize.com
For all media enquiries, images, full artist biographies, please contact:
Lisa Baker and Will Paget
PagetBaker Associates
Email: lisa@pagetbaker.com
will@pagetbaker.com
Telephone: +44 (0)207 323 6963
Amnesty International Media Awards winners in full
June 6, 2009 by Webmaster · Leave a Comment
By Judith Townend|journalism.co.uk
Here are the winners from 02 June 2009 Amnesty International Media Awards; nominees and judges were reported here. The awards, designed to recognise ‘excellence in human rights reporting’, feature ten categories spread across print, broadcast and online journalism.
Gaby Rado Memorial Award
Aleem Maqbool, BBC News
International Television & Radio
World’s Untold Stories: The Forgotten People, CNN, Dan Rivers and Mary Rogers
Nations & Regions
The Fight for Justice, The Herald Magazine by Lucy Adams
National newspapers
MI5 and the Torture Chambers of Pakistan, The Guardian by Ian Cobain
New media
Kenya: The Cry of Blood – Extra Judicial Killings and Disappearances, Wikileaks, Julian Assange
Periodicals – consumer magazines
The ‘No Place for Children’ campaign, New Statesman, Sir Al Aynsley Green, and Gillian Slovo
Periodicals – newspaper supplements
Why do the Italians Hate Us? The Observer Magazine, Dan McDougall and Robin Hammond
Photojournalism
No One Much Cares, Newsweek, Eugene Richards
Radio
Forgotten: The Central African Republic, BBC Radio 4 – Today Programme, Edward Main, Ceri Thomas, Mike Thomson
Television documentary and docu-drama
Dispatches: Saving Africa’s Witch Children, Channel 4 / Red Rebel Films / Southern Star Factual, Mags Gavan, Joost Van der Valk, Alice Keens-Soper, Paul Woolwich
Television news
Kiwanja Massacre: Congo, Channel 4 News / ITN, Ben De Pear, Jonathan Miller, Stuart Webb and Robert Chamwami
Special award
This year’s Special Award for Journalism Under Threat was awarded to Eynulla Fәtullayev, from Azerbaijan.
