Africa Asia Pacific Scholars Authoritative Newsletter

1. Volume 1, Issue 2 A F R I 1, Issue 2 S I A S CJune-August ‘11 S
Volume
CA A HOLAR
June-August ‘11 GLOBAL NETWORK akada
Re-writing Africa and Asia
akada
¢§ £ ¥£¢ §¢¥ ¤© ¨ ¥£§ ¦¥¤£¢ ¡
History within the Global Village
Special points of
interest:
Indonesia praises AASGON
not mere bystanders in dealing with
• Health Education
all those complex problems. Millions
• Economy Finance “We need to invest of our peoples do not have access to
more in our people, clean water, proper education,
• Academic Exchange our scholars and energy and healthcare. Environ-
• Heritage Diversity students. That is Why mental degradation is also pervasive.
AASGON’s work “With our effective partnership and
• Creative Arts H.E. Yuri Thamrin is so strategic and
with AASGON’s active participation,
• Governance vital in our endeavour to overcome
the massive difficulties that confront
I’m confident that AASGON can help “How To Change
foster the socio-economic develop-
• Civil Liberties our continents” says Mr. Yuri Octavia ments of the Asia and Africa” Mr.
The World is not a
• Sports, Travel Thamrin, the Indonesia Ambassador Thamrin concluded in his address. battle cry but an
Tours in UK.
academic
• Career Commending AASGON at its South exchange” - Marx
• Social Networking East Scholars Forum and celebration
of Africa Day on May 26th 2011 at the
Universities at Medway in Kent, the
We at the United Indonesian Ambassador made it clear
Nations understand that like AASGON, governments are
that poverty is not just
a lack of income, it is African Youths Poor and Discontent …
also a lack of choice, AASGON
The Arab spring marked by the groundswell that swept across
voice and security — Tunisia and Egypt has confirmed the imperious need to address Co-Organise
the legitimate concerns and worries of our youths who are
Dr. Noeleen Heyzer becoming increasingly poor discontented and more radical. This Bandung Conference.
growing worry was expressed by Dr. Jean Ping, Chairperson of
the African Union Commission at the Africa Day celebration in Watch Out!!!!
Inside this issue: Addis. In attendance as guest was the Indian Prime Minister.
Social Networks 2
Victory for the Poor 4
Emergence of a New Nation—South Sudan
In July leaders across Africa and the advanced nation which lacks year-old Salva Kiir Mayardit as the
infrastructure and the very basic firs head of state of the new nation
rest of the world will join the govern-
SOAS Inaugural Lecture 6 amenities in health and education,
ment and people of South Sudan to In reality, for South Sudan the
the willpower and determination of harder part of the journey to full
Why China in Africa? 7 celebrate the newest nation in Africa
the people of South Sudan to independence has just begun.
and usher in the independent of a
NUS Conference 2011 succeed is stronger than mere
8 new state.
rhetoric
Sbscribe for a free copy
Forerunner of Bandung 9 Going by the Comprehensive Peace
of Akada NOW!!.
Agreement South and North Sudan It Pays to
T. Tempah– Shinning Star 9
will share the oil revenues, but long Advertise in
after the South becomes an
Best On Line Job Sites 10 independent state it will need the
•
co-operation of Khartoum to sell its AKADA
ASEAN Rises With China 14 .AASGON joins scholars and lead-
oil. And Khartoum will still need oil
ers across Africa and Asia to com-
revenues from Juba. With apprehen- info@:aasgon.net
48th Africa Day 14 memorate with the people of South
sion of strange happenings and
Sudan on the inauguration of sixty-
likely divide in the world’s least

2. akada
Social Networks—
World’s major active social networking sites
Advogato, Academia.edu, AsianAvenue Bigadda
We provide here for you a list of some The domain was registered in
In October 2007, U.S. presidential
1999 and grandfathered in. It
major active social networking sites. is currently registered in candidate Barack
Salem, Oregon, USA. http:// Obama created
www.academia.edu/ profiles on
Because Advogato was AsianAve as well
Advogato: the first website to use a
Asian Avenue:
as sister sites
BlackPlanet,
robust, attack-resistant
trust metric and to release MiGente.com and
An online community site dedi- Glee.com.
the underlying code for This site was launched on
cated to free software develop-
that trust mechanism un- July 21, 1997 by co-founders
ment, created by Raph Levien. It Asian Avenue is a platform for Asian
der a free software license, Benjamin Sun, Peter Chen,
describes itself as the free soft- American community.
it has been the basis of Grace Chang, Michael Mon-
ware developer's advocate.
numerous research papers tero, and Calvin Wong. By
on trust metrics and social 1998, the New York Times, It is a social networking site. People
Advogato was an early pioneer of share music, photos and updates
networking (see the list described it as unusually
online diaries, which later be- there. People use this platform for
below for specific exam- successful despite being run
came known as blogs, and one of professional networking too. This site
ples). out of an apartment, having
the earliest social networking has tied up with Monster.com for job
hit five million page views
websites. search. Apart from individual network-
Advogato's early adoption from 50,000 users.
of an XML-RPC interface ing there is group networking. It al-
Advogato combined the most lows you to add blogs, videos and
led to its use as an exam- At its peak, there were over 2
recent entries from each user's photos. You can participate in groups
ple of how such interfaces million users with more than
diary together into a single con- and create your own.
could be used by web 5000 online at any time.
tinuous feed called the recentlog .
This directly inspired the creation programmers.
On October 31, 2005 the
of the Planet aggregator some-
Advogato is still used as a website re-launched the so-
Bigadda:
what later.
test bed for social network- cial network features. As of
April 2007, there were 1.4 A social networking website belonging
Many high profile members of the ing and semantic web to the internet and new media vertical
technologies. Tim Berners- million registered users with
free software and open source of Reliance Entertainment, part of the
Lee, who is an Advogato fewer than 100 online at any
software movements are or have Reliance Anil Dhirubhai Ambani
user himself, included given time.
been users of the site including Group. It claims to be the largest and
Richard M. Stallman, Eric Ray- Advogato in a short list of the fastest growing youth networking
sites that should be noted Partners include party pro-
mond, Alan Cox, Bruce Perens, site in India.
for their early adoption of moters (Synergy), film festi-
the FOAF as a method of vals (Toronto Reel Asian
International Film Festival, Though BIGADDA is not in the same
Africa is beyond exporting user RDF URIs league of popularity as its foreign
Asian American International
bemoaning the past for its F i l m F e s t i v a l ), m e d i a counterparts like Facebook, it still
problems. Academia.edu: (AngryAsianMan.com, AZN claims that top 20 cities account for
45% users from within India while
TV) and many more. Music
A free social networking artists, such as Notorious 40% of the users come from Tier III
The task of undoing that website and collaboration MSG, Far*East Movement, cities like Tuticorin, Bhilai, Amritsar,
past is on the shoulders of tool aimed at academics and Magnetic North have Guwahati, Surat, Nasik. Dataquest, a
popular IT journal also featured
African leaders and researches from all gained popularity from their
BIGADDA along with sites like
disciplines. exposure on AsianAve.com.
themselves, with the IndyaRocks BharatStudent as one
support of those willing to Launched in September of the top 25 web 2.0 start-ups in
India
join in a continental 2008, it became one of the
renewal. We have a new largest social networking
generation of leaders who
sites for academics in Wondering why you should be an
know that Africa must
2010. It has been called a
“Geni- portal for research-
exchange student?
take responsibility for its ers.
Here are a few reasons to go for it!
own destiny, that Africa Though the site bears a
will uplift itself only by its .edu domain, it does not • Make lifelong friends from around the world
own efforts in partnership qualify for this status under
Educause's existing poli- • Experience what it's really like to live in another country
with those who wish her cies allowing only U.S.
well. postsecondary institutions
that are institutionally ac- • Stand out on college and job applications
- Nelson Mandela credited by an agency on
the U.S. Department of • Become fluent in another language
Elder Statesman Education's list of Nation-
ally Recognized Accredit- • Gain maturity, independence and a global perspective
ing Agencies.
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3. akada
IMF Spotlight: Sustained Growth Vital for Reducing Poverty Regional
Growth in Africa has to be sustained, and there are ways to work
towards producing more jobs, the head of the IMF's Africa Department,
Antoinette Sayeh, tells AllAfrica. There are also things that can be done
to build up the skills of the young population to be able to then take on
some of the jobs that could be produced down the road, she says
Youth Jobs for Inclusive growth
Egyptian Internet activist Wael Ghonim,
who played a key role in pro-democracy
Former UN Secretary-General and President demonstrations in his country, at a panel
of the Global Humanitarian Forum Kofi An- discussion on Youth, Jobs and Inclusive
nan and Tanzania's President Jakaya Mrisho Growth in the Middle East and North
Kikwete at a joint press conference. Africa at a recent IMF/World Bank Meet-
ing, held at the IMF Headquarters in Wash-
- Africa should broaden its economic base
ington, DC. Photo credit: Stephen Jaffe
and not remain so dependent on commodity
exports for its growth, African finance minis-
ters said during the IMF-World Bank spring meet- Playing with Fire?
ings in Washington
The US and Europe might plunge the world into a new
financial crisis if they held off big cuts, says the IMF.
International Scholarships IMF Monetary Chief , John Vinals said the US currently
drowning under $14 trillion of debt needed as much
2202011/12
Looking for International Undergraduate Scholarships,
“homework” on its finances as GREECE. It is envisaged
Masters Scholarships, PhD Scholarships for that there will be a breakup of the EURO with struggling
George Osborne
Developing Countries 2011-2012. Scholarships for Greece, Portugal and Ireland all likely to ditch the Euro.
International Students? Here are some to contact: France and Germany have however resolved to find a
solution to the growing crisis.
DST Funded Postdoctoral Canon Collins Post-
Fellowships Program in graduate Scholarships Are you a
Cognitive Science, India for Africans
Oppenheimer
Professional?
Scholarship Provider: Ministry Canon Collins Trust MS/ Fund
of Science and Technology, PhD Degree Deadline: It’s Time to Join
India. Scholarships can be around August (annual) Harry Frederick Oppen-
taken in India Place of study: South Africa
heimer was a noted South
Next course starts 2012
DAAD Masters Scholar- African businessman, phi-
ships in Public Policy and Malaysian Government lanthropist, and opponent of
Good Governance Scholarships for Inter- apartheid. In 1993 he en-
national Students dowed the Oppen-
DAAD Masters (MA/MS)
Degree Deadline: 15 August ‘11 Government of Malaysia heimer Fund at Oxford Uni- League of
Place of study: Germany MS/PhD/Post Doc Deadline: versity. The Fund promotes
Next course start date: 2012 15 Dec 2011 links between the University Professionals
Place of study: Malaysia
International Water Leader Course starts in 2012 of Oxford and South African
Scholarships for Interna- Universities, and assist
tional Students Kofi Annan MBA South African students
Scholarships for De- wishing to pursue graduate
International Water Centre veloping Country Stu-
Masters (MS) Degree Deadline: dents studies at Oxford.
1 August (annual)
Place of study: Australia Next
Course start date: Feb 2012. Deadline: 30 Sept 2011
(Annual) Study in Germany
For details log on:
http://www.ox.ac.uk/
Source link: http://www.scholars4dev.com/ feesandfunding/
oppenheimerfund/
See Pages 11, 12 13
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4. akada
Your Health Do
— Sickle Cell Disorder
Sickle Cell and Thalassaemia are
genetic conditions inherited from both
red blood cells from lungs to all If two carriers have off spring, one you
the parts of the body and also out of four of their children are
parents. This means that people are likely to be entirely normal, two
gives them their red colour.)
born with it just as they are born with
other characteristics such as eye
colour, hair texture and height.
can change from normal disc-
shape to Sickle or Crescent
may be carriers that is, they may
have Sickle Cell trait and the fourth
may have Sickle Cell Anaemia.
have ...
shaped cells which clumps
This type of together to block vessels,
condition mainly where its name derived from. It Sickle Cells obstruct the smooth medical concerns
is caused by an abnormal con- flow of blood through capillaries or
affects Africans, sm all blood vessels, thus questions or
Afro-Caribbean, stituent of the haemoglobin in
the blood, and is incurable. preventing blood from reaching the
Greeks, Cypriots
and other people
tissues. experiences you
Carriers usually lead normal
of Mediterranean
lives, but when they may This in turn, reduces, the concen- want an answer to
origin. tration of oxygen in the blood,
become ill demands on the
circulatory system increase. which may trigger more cells to or like to share?
In some parts of become sickled. The blood clots or
Africa and the At high attitudes where the air
thrombi, which result from block-
Caribbean, almost half the population ages in the capillaries, eventually Write to Augusta
are carriers of Sickle Cell Anaemia and cause the death of areas of the
are said to have Sickle cell trait. tissue.
“I’ll be delighted
This means that they are usually The problem is exacerbated by
unaffected by the condition, but may any infection that affects the body, to respond”
transmit to their children. In Britain, and is known as Sickle Cell Crisis.
sickle Cell disease is the most common When this occurs, pain may be-
in people of African and West Indian come extremely severe during the
For your
(Caribbean) descent. first 24 hours and there will be comments and
swelling and tenderness in the
It is a genetic blood disorder that has affected area of tissue. queries”
great disabling effects on sufferers. In
certain situations like severe cold The reduced blood flow may also
condition, stress, lack of fluid, infection cause damage to the organs, and
Email me at:
and pregnancy, the red blood cells death may result from heart or
containing haemoglobin (the substance is thin for example, or in the
kidney failure. info@aasgon.net
which carries oxygen in the case of an emergency surgery
without blood transfusions.
To be continued….
Send in your comments
Sierra Leone gives
Rota Vaccine Prices
Slashed…..
humanitarian award to
Mercy Ship founder.
ACU Titular fellowships 2011
Victory for the Opportunities for staff from member universities and
The Embassy of the Republic of employees working in industry, commerce or public service in a
Poor Sierra Leone in Washington, D.C.,
Commonwealth countries to spend periods of time in other
has announced that Don Stephens,
Bill Gates in May, member universities or relevant institutions outside their own
the president/founder of Mercy
while in Geneva laid country.
Ships, is the recipient of the
out his vision for the
Diamond Award for his contribution
impact that broadening
to the development of Sierra Leone Preference will be given to workers in the following priority
access to vaccines
– particularly, in the field of health subject areas: agriculture, forestry and food sciences,
can have on the world and few weeks
(source APA)
after his inspirational speech, biotechnology, development strategies, earth and marine
GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) promised to sciences, engineering, health and related social sciences,
cut a whopping 95% off its rotavirus information technology, management for change, professional
vaccine for sale to the globe's poorest
countries, while Merck has also said it education and training, social and cultural development and
would cut the price on its vaccine university development and management.
against the same illness.
Applications will be considered ONLY if the applicant is
Sanofi Pasteur and Johnson approved by the Executive Head (Vice-Chancellor, President
Johnson have also promised cuts
or Rector) of a university in ACU membership. The ACU will
Several major drugs companies are
announcing big cuts to the amounts also consider applications approved by the chief executive
they charge for their vaccines in the officer of a Commonwealth inter-university organisation.
developing world Fellowships will be tenable for up to a maximum of six months.
For information log on: http://www.acu.ac.uk/member_services/
fellowships_mobility/acu_titular_fellowships
Page 4

5. akada
Volunteering in Asia, Africa Summer Schools What makes
and South America? China unique ...
Willing to explore Europe, a conti-
nent of great diversity of place, cul- •The Great Wall of China.
ture and identity? Its divergent peo-
ple carry their own cultures, relig- A symbol of ancient
ions, traditions and languages. Chinese civilization, the
Great Wall of China has
Students taking summer courses in
Europe can begin to lay a solid foun-
stood for more than 2,000
dation for their future career. In a years.
world that has grown ever smaller in
the wake of globalisation, interna-
tional experience is needed more
than ever.
• There are about 370
By studying abroad students will million TVs in China and
develop their communication skills 457 million internet users.
Make a change to a life and yours too…. and team spirit. Gaining experience
in Europe will make them expand
If you are interested in volunteering but not sure how to get the their horizons and open up their
process started, AASGON recommends that you log on mind academically and culturally to
http://www.gvnfoundation.org/ to find out which program is the best meet the challenges of today’s • China aims to build
match for you and your country of choice. You can apply online and world. 50,000 skyscrapers in the
within 24 hours you will know if your application is successful. next two decades (that’s
For a directory of summer courses in
Over the past 8 years Global Volunteer Network (GVN) has built up Europe link up with Summer one New York every two
strong ties with grassroots organizations throughout the world, and Schools in Europe.eu, an initiative of years)
placed 13,500+ volunteers. Utrecht University in the Nether-
lands, by logging on http://
GVN will provide you with all the resources, support, and information www.summerschoolsineurope.eu/
you will need to take part in a successful and rewarding volunteer
program .
• The top 10 richest
It’s Now Time... people in China made
Bill Gates has personally recommended GVN and CNN listed the their fortunes from the
GVN as one of 10 organizations that can help you to make a positive to apply for country’s domestic
impact on the world around you.
UK Universities market – not from
exports.
Business Update wide range
India to help Ghana in
Chinese Rubada sign of courses
energy contract with
developing IT sector Tanzania starting in • The disposable
income (per head) of
China`s state-owned SINOHY- September. urban Chinese was 19,109
Inspired and aided by India, the DRO and Rufiji Basin Develop- For guidance email Yuan (US$ 2,911) in 2010
ment Authority (RUBADA)
Ghanaian government is taking – an increase of 82.1%
have signed a contract for the
measures to make information production of 165 megawatts
info@aasgon.net since 2005.
technology (IT) a key driver of its in the next two years, aimed at
solving the problem of
economy and transform the country intermittent power rationing Academic Exchanges
into the IT hub of West Africa. Tanzania.
The two bodies are expected Visiting Exchange Students at
To achieve its aim, the government to harness water in Mpanga
says it is determined to make IT River in Morogoro region for Westminster University
popular among y o u t h . generation of hydro-electric
For students wishing to study for one semester or one academic year on
power. Mpanga, a tributary of
Communications Minister Haruna the Kilombero River, originates
exchange at the University of Westminster, before returning to their home
Iddrisu said the government is from Kipengere Mountains,
spending $5 million on an ICT pro- enclosing catchments of some institution to complete their studies, you must be studying at one of the
ject to empower youth. Collabora- 2,546 km with a dam site University of Westminster's partner institutions to be eligible.
tions and alliances with Chinese encompassing a 2020 square- To check if your university is a partner, or to see which school / subject
financial institutions and businesses. kilometer watershed area.
areas are covered by the exchange agreement, log on to
http://www.westminster.ac.uk/study/international/exchanges/exchange-
partners
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6. akada
characteristics to encompass: “Inspired by the
Equality and Diversity Age; Disability; Gender increasing partnership
reassignment; Marriage and Civil
The Equality Act is the most among scholars, the
partnership;
significant piece of equality development of business
legislation to be introduced for Pregnancy and Maternity; Race; linkages and expanded
many years in the United trade between Africa
Kingdom. Religion or Belief; Sex and
Sexual orientation. and Asia, AASGON is
It is there to strengthen protection, established to promote
advance equality and simplify the The act also makes explicit the beneficial South-South
law. Ninety per cent of the act concept of ‘dual discrimination’,
came into force on 1 October business partnerships,
wh e re s om e o n e m a y b e
2010. as well as enhance
discriminated against or treated
unfairly on the basis of a
economic, cultural and
The rest of it includes Public
Sector Equality Duty (PSED),
existing pieces of legislation, combination of two or the pro- social development”
including race and disability. tected characteristics. For details
came into effect in April ‘11.
-Sajid Hashmi MBE
visit:http://www.idea.gov.uk/idk/
One of the key changes is that it AASGON 1st Vice President
The Equality Act brings together, core/page.do?pageId=5145524
ext ends the prot ected
and significantly adds to and
strengthens, a number of previous
AANPE- Advancing Political Economy
The China Africa Network Recent social, economic and political
dynamics at the global level will
China Africa Network (CAN) is an initiative of the Gordon influence the social, political and
Institute of Business Science (GIBS) in Johannesburg, South economic conditions in the Asia-Africa .
Africa. The Business School facilitates and promote the regions.
competitiveness of South
African and African private Most of Asia-Africa countries are still
sectors vis-a-vis their fighting with poverty alleviation issues
engagement with the Chi- and are left out on the periphery of the
n es e ec o nom y . global political and economic dynamics.
Considering the rising
There is lack of attention on institutional
investment and commercial
capacity building in the Asia-Africa
presence of China Inc. in
region.
Africa, GIBS believes that it 2). Knowledge Management Research
is imperative for local Group (KMRG) is an Information
companies to better understand these trends and improve AANPE Technology (IT) research organization
their ability to both compete and collaborate with the Chinese specialized in the area of knowledge
business sector. Founded in Bandung, Indonesia, 2002, management through a digital library
AANPE’s mission is to establish a technology development.
CAN will carry out teaching, research and business education network among scientists, policy makers
work within the context of the business school as well as to its and common citizens in the Asia/Africa
The mission in developing a knowledge-
clients and stakeholders says the Director of GIBS, Dr Martyn region to encourage constructive policy
based society, through an effective
Davies who is also full-time faculty member of the school. dialogue by supporting debates and
management of Intellectual Capital, and
discussions on alternative visions for a
using any low cost and appropriate
As the academic hub of China Africa research and teaching better living society.
information technology.
CAN produces a China Africa Business Weekly.
Three main supporters of the Asia Africa
(3). I3APS - Indonesian Institute for
Network on Political Economy (AAPE)
Integrated Assessment and Policy
SOAS host Bernhard are:
Studies, established in Bandung 1998
by the scholars who concern on public
Fuehrer Inaugural Lecture (1). The Society for Indonesian Political
Economy (SIPE), a new professional
policy, integrated assessment, environ-
mental economics and resource valua-
organization aim at developing the net-
tion, system dynamic modelling, envi-
At this year’s SOAS (School of Oriental and African works among scholars who concern on
ronmental information system, and
Studies) Inaugural Lecture ‘The Beard of the Master and recent Indonesian political-economic
spatial database infrastructure issues.
Other Suppositions’, Bernhard Fuehrer on June 20, 2011 transition processes.
discusses some conceptual issues regarding the
transmission of images and perceptions of Master Kong, Bernhard works on and Hokkien. He is a Distinguished
aka Confucius, based on various readings of his alleged the reception of the Adjunct Researcher at Renmin
utterances as handed down in written sources for over two traditional Chinese University, Beijing, and an Honorary
millennia. canon, traditional Research Fellow at the Chinese
Chinese hermeneu- De p a rt m e n t o f t h e Ch i ne s e
Bernhard Fuehrer is Professor of Sinology at the tics, the history of University, Hong Kong.
Department of the Languages and Cultures of China and Sinology and a
Inner Asia and Associate Dean (Research) in the Faculty of number of other Payal Gaglani is the lecture organiser
Languages and Cultures. fields including tradi- and to register your attendance email
tional philology soasevents@soas.ac.uk
Page 6

7. akada
COMMENT
What is China Doing in Africa?
I was at the 48th Africa Day 2011 practically nil. Austin Mac-Anabraba
Unarguably, the continents of
celebration organised by the Africa Africa and Asia had suffered
Asia Scholars Global Network In my opinion the political class of Asians, are loosing out as a
greatly from the actions of the of these countries have done far
(AASGON) at the Universities at West which had contributed im- result of not being competitive
Medway, Kent on 26th May 2011. more since independence to
mensely to the predicaments of impoverish their countries, con- enough; we are still in the
Africa and much of Asia today. It demning countless souls to shadows of competitors who are
AASGON is a social and economic is also true that Western trade
movement which aims to work to deprivation and poverty than fittest. During slavery and colonial
and foreign policies continues to can be attributed to any third
strengthen economic, social and epochs the West held sway in the
mount obstacles to the develop- hand. African leaders (and some
cultural ties that exists between the ment of Africa and much of Asia exploitation of Africa. The baton
peoples of Africa and Asia using the Asian leaders) have not shown
today. In my opinion, it is far more any desire to develop the conti- of economic exploitation seem to
vision of the 1955 Bandung Spirit important to focus on the part nent by any stride. They are be changing hands from the West
Network of countries of Africa and Africans, Asians and their govern-
Asia as a model without focus, completely to China and India.
ments had played and continue to unaccountable and notorious for
play in their own underdevelop- using their positions to corruptly
Talks centred mainly around under- ment According to the affable guest
development and poverty in Asia and enrich themselves, their families
and close associates with speaker at the recent AASGON
Africa and how much the west had For example, Nigeria just cele-
contributed to the underdevelopment impunity. They have failed to event, Marika Sherwood, Senior
brated 50 years of independence adopt policies and strategies
of these regions of the world. Research Fellow at the Institute
and Ghana had been independ- that will heal Africa of the scares
ent for more than 50 years with- of Commonwealth studies, what
In settings such as this it was not o f s l a v e r y, c o l o n i a l i s m ,
out much to show for it. In these imperialism and servitude. is China doing in Africa?
surprising that the European trade in countries corruption and inepti-
African slaves, colonialism, Africa has no coherent strategy
tude is rife which had contributed for taping the benefits of global- Please send your
imperialism, trade imbalance, to unstable and chaotic political
racism, are the usual words and ization or deal with its negative
and social environments in which effects. The reality is simply that
comments to
phrases that gets thrown around. ec o nom ic de vel opm ent i s Africans and a significant chunk info@aasgon.net
ASEAN goodwill caravan comforts disaster victims
A ‘‘goodwill caravan’’ consisting of about 70 members from 10
Southeast Asian nations on Saturday comforted survivors of the
March 11 devastating earthquake and tsunami in Ishinomaki, It pays to
Miyagi Prefecture, as they served ethnic foods, gave music and
dance performances and engaged in clean-up activities. advertise in
The volunteer workers served Thai noodles, Vietnamese coffee
and ‘‘satay’’ skewered meat eaten widely in ASEAN countries to AKADA
local residents and entertained them with music and dance
performances by students and artists.
Email:
The group led by Surin Pitsuwan, secretary general of the info@:aasgon.net
10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations, also included Indonesian and Thai survivors of the 2004
Indian Ocean earthquake and tsunami and tried to share the pain and loss of people in the city on the Pacific
coast, which was among the areas worst affected by the calamity.
Mr. Lazarus Congrats from AASGON
Have you received Kapambwe was
elected 67th Li Yuanchao is
your President of the currently the Head
Economic and of China’s Commu-
Social Council on nist Party (CPC)
FREE Membership 18 January 2011. Central Organisa-
tion Department
of AASGON? Ambassador and an increasingly
Kapambwe is currently the influential figure
Ambassador and Permanent among China’s fifth
visit us at http:// Representative of Zambia to the generation of politi-
United Nations in New York. cal leaders, ex-
aasgon.net pected to come to
Mr. Kapambwe served as power in 2012.
co-facilitator of the Ad-Hoc Open Dr. Noeleen Heyzer (Singapore)
Or Email: Ended Working Group of the General is the ninth and the first woman
assembly on the Implementation of Age 61, Li introduced the now nation-
info@aasgon.net to be appointed Executive
the Outcome of the Conference on wide popular practice of making lead-
Secretary of the Economic and
the World Financial and Economic ing politicians spend the Chinese
Social Commission for Asia and
Crisis in 2009-2010. Spring Festival Eve with the less
the Pacific (ESCAP) since 1947.
privileged.
Page 7

8. akada
“I see AASGON
not only as the NUS National Conference 2011
awakening of
Bandung spirit
intellectually, but
also as an
opportunity for
increasing
contact between
African and Asian Education funding dominated the a confederation of 600 students'
debate with seven amendments unions, amounting to more than
scholars in submitted to the main motion on 95 per cent of all higher and
respond to the higher education funding from 16
institutions.
further education unions in the
UK. Through its member
challenges in the students' unions, NUS represent
Focus of discussion were how cuts the interests of more than seven
global village” in university funding should be million students.
handled, the cancellation of Educa-
tion Maintenance Allowance, the NUS Services is owned by
- Puguh Sadadi needs for liberation groups and the Liam Burns, NUS 55th
Second Secretary impact of the rate of interest on elected President
Indonesian Embassy student loans on Muslim students
NUS is mandated to explore post-
graduate funding further and
In Search of Jobs develop a credible alternative to the
current upfront system, supporting
unions to campaign on
Or a Career postgraduate fees and funding
“We now have policy in favour of
Subscribe Now equipping unions to explore on Toni Pearce newly elected Vice
access and retention and to President (Further Education).
explore how we can ensure our Students’ Unions and the
For your FREE movement is representative and National Union of Students. The
engaging to a wide diversity of mission statement is to; ‘Create,
friends” says Usman Ali the re develop and sustain competitive
Copies of -elected vice president (Higher Edu- a d va n t a g e s f o r m em b e r
cation) at the April NUS National Students’ Unions–reducing
Conference. costs and maximising
akada commercial revenues’
NUS (National Union of
Students) is a voluntary To this end it provides three
membership organisation which core services: Purchasing;
makes a real difference to the Commercial Development;
Usman Ali re-elected Vice
lives of students and its Marketing Services.
President (Higher Education )
member students' unions. It is
Become a
proud
Felicitation with Africa Asian Peoples
member of
AASGON
Log on Big Congratulations
http://www. The Board, Management and Members of AASGON join millions of Africa and
aasgon.net Asian peoples whose countries independence anniversary celebration falls on
the months of July, August September 2011. Economic Independence of devel-
oping nations in the 21st Century has become paramount for world peace.
Page 8

9. akada
Marika Sherwood
The forerunner of Bandung:
Subject People’s Conference June 1945
I had agreed to speak about the Those involved were: Federation of
Bandung Conference at AASGON and for the first time in history, Indian Associations in GB; Kikuyu
Consultative Forum: Africa Day that traditional respect Association of East Africa; Interna-
Celebration – but, with apologies, for the spiritual values of life and tional African Service Bureau
I changed my mind. for the dignity of the (IASB); Federation of Indian
human personality which is the Associations in GB; Negro Welfare
Why? Because most accounts of distinguishing feature of Association (London); Negro
that conference state that it was all their great religions.' Welfare Centre Liverpool; Coloured
President Soekarno (Sukarno) Men’s Institute East London;
who had conceived the necessity Late Sir John Kotewala Gamal Abdel Nasser of Egypt, then United Colonial and Coloured Sea-
for such an event. only a Lieutenant-Colonel, also men’s Association of Cardiff; West
Centuries of servitude and African Students’ Union (WASU)
stressed ‘the common feeling of
However, as a historian of Black stagnation have left their mark, identity born of a common heritage and ‘several other progressive
and Asian activists in Britain, I imposed by Western domination': In associations’.
a dire heritage of poverty and.
want to question that. this conference, we are meeting as
ignorance, upon the masses of representatives of the Asiatic and Padmore goes on to report that
our peoples . . . African countries. ‘the movement to bring about world
Before I outline what I think was -wide unity among the coloured
the forerunner of Bandung, I want Where the wisdom of the West
There is a striking similarity between communities has also been en-
to quote from two of the has failed, is it possible that the the conditions prevailing in our coun- dorsed by the Burmese and the
nations of Asia and Africa can tries, a similarity that operates as a Ceylon Students’ associations, the
speeches, as I think they are as
unifying force; we have emerged Malaya and East Indies Peoples’
relevant today as they were in hope to succeed? I think it is. from a long period of foreign influ- League, West Indian Federation
1955. Sir John Kotewala the Have the nations of this region ence, political as well as eco- Committee and a number of colo-
nomic ... It is not surprising therefore nial trade unions in Africa and the
Prime Minister of Ceylon said: i n f act a n y t h i n g that we should feel close together. ..' Caribbean.’
We, the nations of the new Asia to offer? I think they have. Has
the time come to offer it? As George Padmore explained in
Read the concluding part of
and Africa, whatever our the Chicago Defender (28/5/1945, Marika’s address in your
language, whatever our faiths, I think it has. I say, then, in all p.5), it was the first meeting of the
next edition of akada.
whatever our form of govern- s er iousn ess and in all United Nations that galvanised ac-
tion by ‘the coloured races living
ment, whatever the colour of humility, that the peoples of this under the sovereignty of various Please send us your
our skins-black, brown or region have it in their European powers’. Meetings were comments on Marika’s
held to draft a manifesto and to call
yellow-have one thing in power to apply to the problems
a conference. key note address
common: we are all poor and of the present-day world,
under-developed.
Tinie Tempah—The Shinning Star
Tinie on to double and treble platinum…
22 year old Tinie Tempah Tinie joined Usher on the European
(Patrick Chukwuemeka leg of his OMG Tour in January 2011.
Okogwu) released his debut Tinie was also nominated for 4 Brit
single Pass Out with Parlo- Awards making him the most nomi-
phone on 28 February 2010. nated artist for the awards. Tinie's
This it hit the UK Singles Chart single Written in the Stars was used
at number 1. Selling just over for a WrestleMania XXVII countdown
92,000 copies, making this his promo during the WWE PPV Royal
first number 1 which it remained Rumble on 30 January 2011.
for two consecutive weeks. He
went on to win his first 2 MOBO It was later confirmed by WWE that it
Awards in October’10 will be the official theme for Wrestle-
mania XXVII. On 15 February 2011, he
Written in the Stars his third won his first ever Brit Award, for Best
single released on 19 Septem- British Breakthrough Act. He later won
ber 2010 charted at number 1 in a Brit for Best British Single.
the UK Singles Chart selling
over 115,000 copies in its first The British rapper performed brilliantly
week and making it his biggest- as guest star at the Miss USA pageant Helen— unusual perform-
Tinie Tempah selling single to date. in Las Vegas on June 19, 2011 ance at AASGON Africa Day
Page 9

10. akada
Careers Jobs . BilingualCareer.com --
where bilingual job-seekers Job Sites
YAHOO! HotJobs
Best Online Sites Here job postingfirst seven (English and at least job listings
best
are our
sites (job language) can search
one other
for Jobs boards) for job-seekers. nation's leading newspapers and JobCentral.com
job listings from the Web sites of
Job portal where one can post leading employers CollegeRecruiter
and apply for jobs for free as well After College -- a job
as review companies on various and internship site for CareerBuilder
parameters such as pay, growth college students and re- CareerBuilder – provides a
combination of help wanted ads
prospects, working conditions cent college grads. Monster.com
and more. of the nation's leading news-
papers and job listings from
JobFox.com
There are thousands of job sites Best Jobs in the USA W eb sites of leading
(job boards) on the Web for job- Today -- a comprehen- employers.
Indeed.com
seekers. sive job resource site that
includes jobs databases, Simply Hired
.You can search for jobs by job Careercast -- a cool job por-
type, industry or location, by corporate p r o f i l e s , tal offering job-seekers opportu-
metro area or employer. resume posting, and a nities from all U.S. and Canadian Jobing.com
career resources store. newspaper, magazine, niche and
You can post your resume and TV station. Net-Temps.com
confidential profile, create an
email job alert, and find great Careerjournal.com -- CareerSurf.com -- where job-
career resources. All Free to job- From The Wall Street seekers from a wide variety of
seekers. For support you can log Journal. links to other key industries across the U.S. and
on to http://quintcareers.com/ job sites. across the U.S. Canada can
and Canada. search for jobs . Apply Now for the BSEEN
Graduate Business Start-up
Top Jobs - Programme
Graduates in the West Midlands are invited to
Head of Gas Division—Abuja, Nigeria apply to the next round of the Graduate Business
Start-up Programme, which is due to commence
The Osprey Investments Group’s vision is to drive development in Nigeria and the West in October 2011.
African sub-region with investments and world-class consultancy services. Osprey In-
vestments Group is seeking a senior manager to head its Gas Division in Nigeria. BSEEN, the West Midlands Enterprise Link
organisation run by Aston University, Birmingham
The position is based in Abuja, Nigeria. The Manager will report directly to the Chair- City University and the University of Birmingham,
man of Osprey Investments Group and will be primarily responsible for developing, is seeking aspiring graduate entrepreneurs living
maintaining and expanding the company’s gas portfolio in Nigeria. For an application in Birmingham, Solihull, Redditch, Tamworth,
contact Teresa Petschl info@ospreyinvestmentsgroup.com Lichfield, Bromsgrove, Wyre Forest, East
Staffordshire and Cannock.
Project Manager (Engineering) - Ghana
The Programme aims to ensure that
Job Ref: PMGHWT entrepreneurs have the necessary skills and
knowledge to make their business succeed in the
Parcellis are currently looking for an experienced Project Manager with Water long term. For details log on http:// www.b-
Treatment and Waste Water Treatment knowledge or major building project in Africa. seen.org.uk/
As the Project Manager you will be responsible for the Engineers, HSE and Systems on AASGON reflects on social and
site of this new Waste Water Treatment Plant with a 10km slurry line and return water
line. This position is on a rotation basis of 9/3 and all travel and accommodation is paid economic challenges and
for. Previous experience as a Project Manager on a major building project along with
exposure to Africa is essential. promotes effective partnerships
Please contact daniel.joiner@parcellis.co.uk for more info among scholars and relevant
stakeholders to influence policy
Lecturer/Senior Lecturer in Mech. Engr. — Singapore
UON Singapore Pte Ltd - Faculty of Engineering Built Environment, University of and the delivery of far reaching
Newcastle Singapore (UON Singapore). Interested applicants are invited to email your positive outcomes for the
application including resume by 29 July 2011 to: UONSEnquiry@newcastle.edu.au
regeneration and sustainability of
For other top jobs in Africa and Asia log on: Is Afro-Asia Games poorer countries of Africa. Asia.
http://www.workcircle.com/jobs/africa/degree Dead or Alive?
http://wwwasia-employment.com
Find out in your - Dr Albert Barnes
next edition of akada AASGON 2nd Vice-President
Page 10

11. AASGON Africa Day Event in Pictures
Africa Day
celebrated globally.
Here is an account of
the celebration in
Kent by AASGON
May 26th 2011 Photos by:
KrystynaPhotos.mogggy.org
Universities @ Medway
“The strategic and complex nature of
AASGON’s mission is key to Africa and
Asia’s endeavour to overcome the
massive difficulties that confront
the two continents”.
- H.E. Yuri Thamrin, Indonesia Ambassador
“Where the wisdom of the
West has failed, is it possible
that the nations of Asia and
Africa can hope to succeed?”.
- Marika Sherwood
Page 11

12. Africa Day Celebrated
in Style by AASGON
It was a day for reflections and the
display of rich culture, arts food,
fashion, music and exotic dance of
Africa and the Middle East
Photos
by :mwankumi@yahoo.fr
Asia Europe
Africa
Page 12

13. Speech by Sajid Hashmi MBE, 1st Vice President of AASGON, at AASGON
1st Consultative Forum and Celebration of Africa Day 48th Anniversary 2011
Bismillah – I begin in
the name of Allah
Your excellencies, dis-
tinguished guests, la-
dies and Gentlemen,
thank you for taking time
out of your bust sched-
ules to be with us today.
Firstly I must congratu-
late our brother Abdul
Mohammed for perse-
vering in getting recog- AASGON is the
nition for professionals ideal vehicle to
of the East – From Af- help you de-
rica and Asia. It is im-
velop interna-
perative that our contri-
bution to improving the tionally and
quality of life for our take up issues
communities is recognised. Everything else we do is to sup- at a strategic
port this. level. With the
govern-
We professional from AASGON are a funny old lot. We are ment put-
not agents of the state but ting more
we work with them. We
and more
are not all social enter-
prises but we are all enter- emphasis
prising. We are not a on commu-
partnership but we work in nity in-
collaboration with each volvemen t
other. We are not a busi- you have
ness but business like in the oppor-
our work. We are inde- tunity here
pendent and owned by our to influence
members.
the decision mak-
We aim to bring
about s o c i a l
ing processes,
c hange opposing have a say in how
discrimi- nation and services are
oppres- sion. We are delivered. Do not
a move- ment not a waste this
n e t - work. opportu-
nity.
It is a fact that
those of us from Af- F i n a ll y
rica and Asia have
prophet
n o t done our-
selves justice, as
Muhammed
we are peace be
not very good at market- upon him
ing. As an example said “ it is
Japan's second-largest i n c u mb en t
tourist agency was mysti- upon every
fied when it entered Eng- M u s l i m
lish-speaking markets and man and woman to seek knowledge even if you have
began receiving requests travel to China”. I hope that we can play a role in this.
for unusual sex tours.
Upon finding out why, the Today is not an end but the beginning of a strong net-
owners of “Kinki Nippon
work and the process of bringing us together for the
Tourist Company”
changed its name. benefit of our communities.
Basically we have to Once gain please can I ask you to show your apprecia-
sharpen up our image as we are now competing on the world tion to Abdul Mohammed for his time and effort in
stage. We may not be perfect nor do we claim to be. What setting this up
we are good as anyone in providing services and are innova-
tive in our approach to this. God bless
Page 13

14. NEWS FROM BRITISH COUNCIL AFRICA HEALTH CRISIS
WorldSkills London 2011 The first-ever African Presidents
FUNDING - ERASMUS
The world’s largest international skills competition PROGRAMM:
with young people from across the globe compet-
ing to be the best of the best in their chosen skill
from bricklaying to mobile robotics comes. Through the European Commission's
Erasmus programme, students can collabo-
This year the 41st WorldSkills Competition is be- rate with higher education providers from
ing hosted in London. across 30 countries in Europe and receive
funding to enable UK students to experi-
British Council, in partnership with WorldSkills ence living, studying and/or working, in a
London 2011 and WorldSkills International, is offer- foreign country. Summit On Health will be held in
ing the opportunity for senior international stake-
holders to participate in a high level conference Los Angeles, California February
UK Erasmus students normally receive an
which will have as a central theme the importance Erasmus grant provided by the European 13th—14th 2012 “We expect the
of skills and technical education in global economic Commission which contributes towards the
recovery. Summit to provide each leader with
extra costs arising from studying abroad.
Erasmus grants in the UK are paid through an opportunity to highlight their
The conference will be hosted during WorldSkills your home institution and are paid in
London 2011 and delegates will have the opportu- addition to the standard grants or loans to
successes and challenges, and to
nity of visiting the Competitions. which you are entitled. gain more international resources
England-Africa Partnerships (EAP) to better assist their efforts on the
Please remember that this is a supplemen-
tary, non-repayable grant intended to offset
ground says Mr. Ted Alemayhu,
EAP is a scheme for funding higher educa- any additional expenses you may incur Founder Executive Chairman of
tion partnerships between England and sub- while you are abroad. You should not de-
Saharan Africa pend on it to cover your essential living
the US Doctors For Africa
costs. (USDFA), a California based non
UK-India Education and Research -profit organisation.
Initiative (UKIERI) Bear this in mind when you are budgeting!
During your Erasmus study, you continue
to receive any student grant or loan to If you have comments or
UKIERI aims to substantially improve educa-
tional links between India and the UK so that which you are entitled. views as to how to achieve a
in the long term we become each other's more sustainable solution to
partner of choice in education. http://www.britishcouncil.org/erasmus-
funding.htm solving Africa’s healthcare
crisis please write to
info@aasgon.net
Globalisation betrayed…. Writes Gordon Brown
Billions of people across the world are in need of and demanding a better globalisation - one that puts the economy to
work for people and not the other way round. The financial crash exposed just how detached the global economy has be-
come from our values - a misalignment that is most pronounced in the world's response to the global epidemic of youth
unemployment.
The promise of globalisation is being betrayed as rates of joblessness climb to historic highs across the Middle East,
Europe, America and sub-Saharan Africa. The window of opportunity is closing on millions of young people - yet I see little
evidence that we have thought through how we can create the jobs that will deal with today's political instability and eco-
nomic stagnation. Failure to do so according to Gordon
Brown former British Prime Minister in his report Education
for All: Beating Poverty, Unlocking Prosperity is not
simply a political but also a moral failure, because it cannot be right that a genera-
tion's chances be stolen before their life's journey has really begun. Nor can it be
right that we should stand by and let that happen when such a result is so readily
avoidable.
In recent months, Gordon states, ”there have been stirrings of resistance as young
people the world over show that they are no longer prepared to tolerate a global
economic order that is failing them so badly. The uprisings in Egypt and elsewhere
in the Middle East show protest wearing a very youthful face. The reasons for this
are obvious when we consider the figures. Two-thirds of Egypt's population is
under 30 - and young people make up roughly 90 per cent of the country's jobless
total. Youth unemployment has hit 30 per cent in Tunisia. The number is even
higher - 45 per cent - in Algeria. By 2020 there will be an esti- mated 50 million
young Arab workers without jobs.
Across most of Africa, too, there is a youth unemployment catastrophe. The
continent will soon be home to one in every four of the world's young people - but already 80 per cent of them are either out of work or on a family
income of less than $1.25 a day. Yet these headline figures, however shocking, do not tell the human or societal cost of youth unemployment: the
tragic waste of potential, the damage to families and communities, and the colossal financial burden on societies” Gordon Brown was prime min-
ister from 2007 to 2010. Download his report Education for All: Beating Poverty, Unlocking Prosperity at gordonandsarahbrown.com
Page 14