Award Presentation Ceremony (2003)
Paris, France, 2 October 2003 – The Association for the Development of Education in Africa (ADEA) held a ceremony today to present the prizes for the 2003 edition of the African Education Journalism award.
The ceremony was attended by close to one hundred people, including the ADEA President, Ahlin Byll Cataria, the ADEA Executive-Secretary, Mamadou Ndoye, ministers from the ADEA Bureau of Ministers and most of the members of the ADEA Steering Committee. Also invited to the ceremony were the ambassadors of the prizewinners’ native countries (South Africa, Malawi, Mauritius, Senegal), CELTEL the sponsor of the award, and various partners such as the International Institute for Educational Planning of UNESCO, Radio France International, and the Times Education Supplement.
Professor Alfred Opubor, master of the awards ceremony and coordinator of the COMED Working Group, first held a minute of silence in memory of Akin Fatoyinbo, the founder of the awards, who died on 1 December 2002 in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. He then delivered a vibrant homage to this tireless worker for his commitment to the cause of training journalists and his constant concern for a high-quality African press.
The ADEA President, Ahlin Byll Cataria, after having congratulated the award winners and encouraged them to spend more time covering issues related to education, which he pointed out was the basis of all development, then thanked the partners, the members of the jury, and the awards sponsor for their support to this important undertaking.
The ADEA Executive-Secretary, Mamadou Ndoye, then emphasized the decisive role of the press for the success of educational reform in Africa. He also reiterated that the ADEA “was convinced that, despite politicians’ and journalists’ different agendas, it was not only desirable but also possible to create space for dialogue and partnership once it was understood that education is a national cause”.
Mrs. Thanh Hoa Desruelles, head of communications for the ADEA, welcomed a growing enthusiasm for the competition and noted that for this second edition 253 journalists, representing almost every country in Africa, had presented a total of 419 articles.
Hon. Archibald Lasao Lehohla, the Minister of Education of Lesotho and President of the ADEA Bureau of Ministers, thanked all the guests before making way for the presentation of the awards.
The prize winners in 2003 are:
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Sabrina Quirin, Week-end, Mauritius (Second Prize – Articles in French). Prize presented by Françoise Caillods, Assistant Director of the IIEP.
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Pilirani Semu-Banda, The Nation, Malawi (Second Prize – Articles in English). Prize presented by Sissel Volan, Senior Educational Advisor, NORAD.
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Daouda Mané, Le Soleil, Senegal (First Prize - Articles in French). Prize presented by Birger Fredriksen, Senior Educational Advisor, World Bank.
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Mamadou Lamine Badji, Le Soleil, Senegal (First Prize - Articles in French). Prize presented by Hon. Daniel Ona Ondo, Minister of Education, Gabon.
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Cornia Pretorius, Sunday Times, South Africa (First Prize - Articles in English). Prize presented by Hon. Archibald Lesao Lehohla, Minister of Education, Lesotho.
The winners of the First Prize each received the sum
of 2000 euros, while the Second Prize winners received 1000 euros.
In addition to the cash award, the winners were also invited along
with their editors-in-chief to take part in a study trip to Paris
and London.
The Africa Education Journalism Award was initiated by the ADEA in connection with its Working Group on Communication for Education and Development (COMED).
It rewards the best articles on education that have appeared in the African press. The main goals of the competition include:
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To promote communication about education and encourage the production of high-quality articles in the press;
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To encourage the development of a network of African journalists who specialize in educational matters.
About COMED
ADEA’s Working Group on Communication for Education and Development (COMED) was set up with the support of the World Bank and the Norwegian Education Trust Fund. The key premise underlying COMED is that the exchange of information and communication between partners is essential to establishing efficient educational systems and achieving quality education for all.
Having recognized the key role of the mass media in disseminating information, COMED gives special emphasis to training journalists as well as communications officers from the African ministries of education.
About ADEA
agencies working in the field of education in Africa. Since then,
the ADEA has become an instrument designed to reinforce African
ministries’ leadership capacities as they work with funding
agencies and to develop a consensus between ministries and agencies
on approaches to the major issues facing education in Africa.
ADEA’s activities focus on strengthening policy dialogue between the development partners. It also strives to build institutional capacities within Africa through developing technical skills, setting up networks to exchange information and encouraging the sharing of successful strategies, innovations and experiences.
Paris, France, October 2, 2003
For further information, you may contact:
Thanh-Hoa Desruelles, Communication and Publications
Officer, ADEA.
in Paris: Tel: +33/ (0)145 03 7769; e-mail: th.desruelles@iiep.unesco.org
Pascal Hoba, Communication Consultant, ADEA
in Paris: Tel: +33/ (0)145 03 7768; e-mail: p.hoba@iiep.unesco.org