Feed items

Dear baby Seven [ Billion ] posted on October 31, 2011 - 9:28pm

Dear baby Seven,
Your first breath of life on Earth is being celebrated as a milestone. On this October 31, 2010, we welcomed you to this rock of blue azure, your new home. It is the 3rd planet from the sun, and the only one inhabited by life in the entire solar system. There are many species that live on this planet, but none quite as unique as the one you were born into today. You see, you are human, the seven-billionth being alive.
It took thousands of years for our population to reach one billion. Since then, our numbers have grown faster and faster. By the time you are 13, baby number 8 billion will join you on this planet.

To Diaspora, Reaspora or Remain Unaspora? posted on October 31, 2011 - 5:21pm

The word “diaspora” is fraught with contested connotations. It is a condition to which some of a country’s most wretched and disillusioned citizens have aspired to, consoled by the thought of escape, of healthier grass in greener territory.  And yet in analyses of the state of affairs in their country, many citizens are quick to mention the role the emigrating population has played in the “brain drain”. While the system is usually blamed for driving this skilled class away , many times, this group has been accused of contributing to the problem by leaving the system more and more bereft. To the people in question, the relationship with the homeland is always complex.  Life in the diaspora is often coloured by nostalgic memories of childhood, a conscious feeling of distinctness in a foreign territory and despite sometimes high levels of comfort, a constant yearning to connect with the homeland.

Promoting an Active Recycling Culture in Nigeria posted on October 28, 2011 - 3:34am


Trying to clean up Zambia


Connect4Climate is putting out a call for African and African Diaspora bloggers. Next week is AVCC week. This is the first of what we hope can be an annual event. We are looking to engage Africa’s online intellectual capacity to chime in on the global climate change conversation. We may all enjoy blogging about different issues regarding the continent, from politics to sports, to entertainment. But the one thing that we all need to pay attention to is climate change.

Fellow Ugandans,
As a creative consultant, it is not often that I get to work on a project that both pays me and also contributes to the development and well-being of Uganda. I would like to introduce you to such a project.
I met Pratheepan “Deep” Gulasekaram in DC at the Clinton Global Diaspora Forum. He, along with a crew of determined colleagues put their skills together in the wake of the Asian tsunami and built a fully functioning hospital in Sri Lanka. They successfully negotiated a public-private partnership with the Sri Lankan Ministry of Health to complete and ensure the long-term success of the newly constructed Matara Children’s Hospital.

My new gig at the World Bank posted on August 22, 2011 - 4:58pm


My new position at World Bank: Lead Social Media Strategist for Connect4Climate

I have been hoarding this news for a few weeks now. Earlier this month I accepted a consultancy at the World Bank to help launch and maintain their soon-to-launch ‘Connect4Climate’ campaign. Connect4Climate will be a campaign, a competition, and an community of individuals and global partners that care about climate change.

Why You Should Vote for Africa, Tech & Women SXSW Panel posted on August 22, 2011 - 2:00pm



Why You Should Vote for Africa, Tech & Women SXSW Panel

We got this notice for an exciting new web series that will be shot on the East Coast and in Ghana. If you have acting chops or think you fit the roles, then download the PDF with character breakdown. Prepare your strong monologues now, I have a feeling these are going to be very sought-after roles for African actors and entertainers.
The creators of ‘The Other City’ (a working title) are casting for a pilot for a web series to be shot this fall/winter.  ‘The Other City’ is the African version of ‘Sex and the City,’ based in Accra, Ghana.  We are looking for women from the African Diaspora between the ages of 20 and 35, as well as male models of African descent between the ages of 20 and 40.
Date:  Thursday, August 25
Time:  3pm – 7pm
Address:  420 W. 118th street – 118th and Amsterdam (Columbia University)

For our fellow Diasporans in the UK, you might be interested in checking this out. We got word that FELA! is coming to Sadler’s Wells for a few weeks (July 20 – Aug 28 to be exact). Here’s more information below:

FELA!
Sadler’s Wells
Wednesday 20 July – Sunday 28 August 2011
Performances: Tue – Sun at 7.30pm, Sat & Sun mats at 2.30pm
Tickets: £15 – £50
Ticket Office: 0844 412 4300
www.sadlerswells.com