ADEA is pleased to announce that it has launched an award that will recognize the best articles on education published in the African press. This competition is organized within the activities the working group on the Communication for Education and Development (COMED) an initiative that promotes the use of communication in support of education in Africa.

Selections will be made once a year.

The major goal in creating this prize is to highlight the paramount importance of relevant and quality public information and communication for the development of education in Africa. Specific objectives include:

• To encourage African journalists to write quality articles on education;
• To encourage African newspapers to publish regular columns and supplements on education;
• To foster the development of a network of African journalists specialized in covering education topics;
• To strengthen ADEA and its Working groups ties with the African media, a major partner in the effort to promote and exchange information about education in Africa.

Who can apply?

Any article written in English, French or Portuguese on education in Africa by an African journalist and published in an African newspaper, weekly, or other periodical is eligible.

How will articles be selected?

Articles will be selected by a jury made up of senior education specialists and journalists. All members of the jury will be thoroughly acquainted with African issues. The following criteria will be taken into consideration in the selection process:

• The relevance of the topic addressed;
• The journalist's objectivity, critical analysis, and rigor in addressing the topic;
• The quality of the writing;
• The creativity of the work.

How many articles will be awarded?

Every year, two articles in English, two articles in French and two articles in Portuguese will be selected.

What will the award be?

• Winners and their editors-in-chief will be invited to Paris and London for a ten-day study visit that includes:
  

  1. Participation in a training seminar focused on topical education issues. The training will be provided by experts from ADEA and the International Institute for Educational Planning (IIEP) at UNESCO. Seminar topics might include education and poverty, community schools, education of the youth in the informal sector, HIV/AIDS and education, and management of universities in crisis situations.
  2. Visits to major media houses (partner organizations) that have education departments and exchanges of experiences with other journalists who specialize in education. Visits to the following media houses are planned: The Times Educational Supplement (TES) and the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) News in London, Le Monde Interactif (Le Monde on-line magazine), Radio France Internationale (RFI), and La cinquiËme (TV station) in Paris.
     
• Winners of the first place in each language category will receive the sum of 3,000 euros. Winners of the second place in each language category will receive the sum of 2,000 euros.