Africa Projects

Inter Press Service (IPS) seeks to provide independent news and editorial content with a Southern focus. In seeking partners for editorial projects, IPS Africa is driven by a need to put a spotlight on stories long ignored; to deepen understanding of issues critical to Africa and to support our strategy to strengthen the capacity of Africa’s journalists. During 2009 – 2010, IPS Africa administered the following regional projects:

Active Citizens

For most Africans, a shift towards elected government in recent decades has yet to translate into an effective voice in decision-making. Through its partnership with the Overseas Development Institute (ODI) and CIVICUS, IPS reporters across the continent define the extent and limits of state capability, government accountability and the responsiveness of leaders to the needs of citizens.

Africa: From Polls to Polls

With democratic elections a fact of life across Africa, the continent now faces a different challenge at the polls: ensuring that women have equal opportunities when running for office, representing their constituents, and casting ballots for future leaders. IPS writers examine challenges and successes in women’s participation in legislative politics.

Bitter Pill

Obstacles to Affordable Medicine: The right to access affordable medicines seems under renewed attack. In response, the Open Society Institute’s Public Health Program has awarded IPS Africa a grant to investigate and report on hindrances in the way of affordable generic medication and which harm citizens’ democratic right to health care.

Changing Lives, Making Research Real

Research findings may be widely published in scientific journals, peer-reviewed and academically admired — but are they filtering through to the public, and bringing about tangible improvements to everyday life? In partnership with www.research4development.info, IPS is seeking to answer these questions, enliven the debate about research, and help to ensure that it does indeed change lives.

Children on the Frontline

Sub-Saharan Africa continues to register high levels of HIV prevalence. By focusing on the most vulnerable and marginalized, “Children on the Frontline” seeks to ensure that it can help shape policies and inform Africa’s leadership on the specific needs and issues facing children effected and affected by HIV/AIDS. The project is supported by UNICEF.

Countdown to 2015

In 2000, 189 nations committed themselves to respond to the world’s main development challenges by 2015. They set eight Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). With five years left ahead of the deadline, there is renewed urgency to monitor progress and ensure that leaders are held accountable for the promises they made.

Farming the Future Africa

Sustaining Smallholder Farmers: Africa’s almost 80 million smallholder farmers supply about 80 percent of its food. Establishing a prosperous, sustainable economic future for the continent means placing a spotlight on agriculture – and giving a voice to Africa’s farmers. This project is supported by the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD).

Southern Africa Water Wire

Linking water to economic development, social well-being and environmental protection, IPS journalists from across the region explore challenges, failures and successes of managing this vital resource. The project is commissioned by Deutsche Gesellschaft für Technische Zusammenarbeit (GTZ).

Women in the News: The Gender Wire

IPS wants to redress a huge imbalance that exists today: only 22% of the voices you hear and read in the news today are women’s. Supported by the Dutch government’s MDG3 Fund, the project seeks to increase the voice and visibility of women in news.