Monthly Archives: April 2014

Seminar, Friday, 2 May 2014 at 2.30 in Seminar Room A, Coombs, ANU

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Integrating work and family life in sub-Saharan Africa

Zitha Mokomane

Chief Research Specialist

Human and Social Development Programme

Human Sciences Research Council of South Africa

 

The challenges of integrating work and family life are part of everyday reality for the majority of working families across the world. However much of the research and policy dialogue in this area has been taking place in Western countries, resulting in paucity of cross-cultural and comparative work on the subject and limiting the extent to which generalisations can be made based on conclusions of Western studies. Drawing on one of the first systematic efforts to bridge this research gap—a book entitled Work-Family Interface in sub-Saharan Africa:  Challenges and Responses (Z. Mokomane (Ed.), Springer, 2014)—this seminar will present insights into the opportunities and constraints of workers with family responsibilities in sub-Saharan Africa. Specific focus will be on factors underlying work-family conflict in the region; impact of the conflict on families; and current coping strategies. . A plausible roadmap for future research and policymaking in the area of work-family interface in the region will also be discussed.

The Federal Republic of Nigeria becomes Africa’s biggest economy

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The Federal Republic of Nigeria has now become Africa’s biggest economy, surpassing the Republic of South Africa. GDP for 2013 in the Africa’s top oil producer was 80.22 trillion naira, or $509.9bn as disclosed by the Nigeria Bureau of Statistic on 6 April 2014. This is good news for  Africa in general, and the Federal Republic of Nigeria in particular. The challenge remains how this GDP growth translates into human development. Whatever the situation, Nigerians and Africans should be proud of this forward march. Hope to see Nigeria on the G20 and the BRICS sooner than later. Those are places well deserved.

For more details, please click the link below.

http://www.aljazeera.com/news/africa/2014/04/nigeria-becomes-africa-largest-economy-20144618190520102.html#.U0kNSfHDqHw.facebook

 

 

Happy Independence Anniversary to Zimbabwe

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The Australian National University African Students Association (ANUASA) congratulates the Government and People of the Republic of Zimbabwe on this auspicious occasion commemorating the 34th Independence Anniversary of that great country. We extend heartfelt felicitations and sincerest best wishes to the Government and gallant People of Zimbabwe. As Zimbabwe observes this historic event, we pray that its government will continue to work with all African states in furtherance of the principles of the African Union and the United Nations. May President Mugabe be endowed with abundant wisdom and strength as he leads his compatriots to greater prosperity.

Executive Producer, Half of a Yellow Sun

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YEWANDE SADIKU, is a Nigerian investment banker who was keynote speaker at the 2013 African Studies Association conference in Perth (see http://afsaap.org.au/conference/conference-2013 ) As Executive Producer of the film Half of a Yellow Sun, she helped to raise financing for the film adaptation of the best selling novel by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, directed by Nigerian Biyi Bandele. She described how rich Nigerians were reluctant to put money into the film while the cash flow was for the filming in Calabar was maintained by smaller investors, including admirers of the novel.

UNGA declares ‘International Decade for People of African Descent’

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The 72nd plenary meeting of the UN General Assembly, on 23 December 2013, adopted a Resolution proclaiming the ‘International Decade for People of African Descent’. This decade commences on 1 January 2015 and ends on 31 December 2024, under the theme “People of African descent: recognition, justice and development”. This decade will officially be launched immediately following the general debate of the sixty-ninth session of the UNGA.  There is reason to celebrate this long awaited proclamation. Indeed recognition, justice and development are quintessential elements to the continent’s transformation, growth and development. The time is now for Africa’s forward march. Forward ever, backward never. Africa must unite.

Click http://www.un.org/en/ga/search/view_doc.asp?symbol=A/RES/68/237  for more details.