7 Oct 2017

The social and economic roots of the attack on democratic rights

Eric London

A report published September 27 by the US Federal Reserve, the Survey of Consumer Finances, shows that the top 10 percent of Americans now own 77 percent of all wealth. The top 1 percent increased its share of wealth from 35.5 percent in 2013 to 38.5 in 2016. The share of the bottom 90 percent declined from 25 percent to 22.9 percent over the same period.
These percentages show a transfer of trillions of dollars from the working class to the rich and affluent in just three years.
The bottom three quarters of the population, some 240 million people, now own less than 10 percent of the wealth. That is, if the United States were a 10-storey apartment building with 100 people, the richest person would be living on the top four floors, the nine next wealthiest people on the next four floors, fifteen on the second floor, and 75 people cramped at the bottom level.
Wealth share by wealth decile, Credit: People’s Policy Project
The Federal Reserve data demonstrates, in empirical terms, profound changes in social relations that affect hundreds of millions of people, touching all aspects of political, cultural and intellectual life. The US is an oligarchy in which the government, trade unions, media, universities, and major political parties are instruments used by the ruling class to manipulate the population, mask its own wealth, and crush social opposition from below.
The figures expose the material basis for the emergence of a campaign in the ruling class to block access to the World Socialist Web Site and other left-wing sites in the guise of combatting “Russian aggression.”
In an oligarchy, social inequality is incompatible with democratic rights. Incapable of and unwilling to address the social needs of the masses of people, the government turns to censorship, surveillance, blacklisting, and violence as its preferred methods for defending unprecedented levels of wealth monopolized by the ruling class.
The data shows that the main dividing line is between the top 10 percent and the bottom 90 percent that comprise the working class. The Federal Reserve figures expose as lies the claims by politicians and media pundits that the bulk of the US population belongs to the “middle class.”
Below the aristocracy and the affluent—concentrated in certain neighborhoods of major centers like New York, the San Francisco Bay Area, Los Angeles, Chicago, Houston, and other cities—the United States is a country dominated by tremendous economic hardship. The data shows that while different strata of the population face economic insecurity at different levels of urgency, decades of social counterrevolutionary policies by both parties are bringing them closer together, marking all with the same scars of class exploitation.
The poorest ten percent of the population, some 32 million people, possess negative wealth. They include the homeless and the hopelessly in debt. For this section of the population, roughly equal to the populations of Texas and New York combined, life expectancy, disease rates, and living standards resemble third world conditions.
The next poorest ten percent have no wealth, between $0 and $5,000 per family, less than the value of a 10-year-old used car. The combined wealth possessed by this layer is not significant as a proportion of overall wealth.
Wealth share by wealth percentile, Federal Reserve
Roughly the lower-middle third of the population, from the 20th to 50th percentile, control just 1.6 percent of total wealth. A family of four with two parents working full-time at the minimum wage with one average-priced vehicle and no other assets would fall in the middle of this broad category of workers.
The 64 million people in the 50 to 70 percent range control just 5.1 percent of the wealth. A family with a below average-priced home worth $150,000, plus a vehicle and $0 in savings would be above the 60th percentile in wealth. A family with two working adults making between $40,000 and $50,000 each would find itself in the 70 to 80 percentile, perhaps possessing two cars, a home valued just above the national average of $175,000, a life insurance policy and $10,000 in savings.
The 80 to 90th percentile owns 11.2 percent of the wealth. Two skilled workers with incomes of $60,000 to $80,000 each, one pension, a $300,000 home, and two vehicles would find themselves in this decile. This section is slightly more comfortable, but by no means financially secure.
The chasm separating the top 10 percent from the working class has widened in recent years. From 2004 to 2016, the working class saw its wealth decline precipitously across all strata. The median family in the poorest fifth lost 29.5 percent of its wealth over this period, followed by 24.7 percent for the median family in the 20th-39th percentile, 10.8 percent in the 40th-59th percentile, 17.3 percent in the 60th-79th percentile, and 1.3 percent in the 80th-89th percentile. This wealth went to the top 10 percent, where median family wealth rose by 38.7 percent over the same period.
Median family net worth by percentile
As a result of this massive transfer of wealth, median family wealth in the top 10 percent is nearly triple that of the 80 to 90 percent, 20 times greater than a family in the 50th percentile, and 254 times more than the median family net worth in the poorest 20 percent.
The political establishment that has overseen this transfer systematically ignores and aggravates the urgent social problems confronting the vast majority of the population.
Footage of Trump flipping paper towel rolls to victims of the storm in Puerto Rico epitomizes the callous and insulting response of the oligarchy to the problems of the working class. But sanctimonious claims by Democrats that Trump’s actions were “insensitive” ignore the fact that the entire ruling class is responsible for the social catastrophe. After all, it was Barack Obama who travelled to Flint, Michigan and told a crowd of people to “drink the water.” Nobody in the Democratic or Republican parties has made any real effort to address the opioid crisis, homelessness, declining life expectancy, storm protection and disaster infrastructure, skyrocketing student debt and the health care crisis.
The three branches of government, largely comprised of millionaires and billionaires, focus exclusively on the interests and social demands of the top 1, and, more broadly, the top 10 percent of society. A key concern of the affluent 10 percent is blocking the growth of social opposition and protecting their own wealth and privileges. In recent years, the American ruling class has become more aware of the growth of social opposition within the population to war, inequality and poverty.
Wealth level by percentile, Credit: People’s Policy Project
Fearful that the technological advances of the Internet and social media platforms can increase access to alternative political viewpoints, the oligarchy has initiated a campaign to censor left-wing websites and crack down on social media platforms in the name of blocking “Russian interference” in the US political system. Without a shred of credible evidence to back their claims, newspaper editors, TV talking heads, Senate and House committee members, corporate executives, trade union leaders and academics are engaged in a mad rush to censor the Internet and protect the population from “fake news.”
The anti-fake news censorship and blacklisting initiative is an escalation of a years-long campaign by the ruling class to create the framework for police state methods of rule. At the same time, the growth of social inequality revealed in the Federal Reserve figures points to the inexorable intensification of social and class conflict in the United States, the objective foundation for socialist revolution.

Nepal: Climate Change and Human Mobility

Avasna Pandey

In 2016, Samjong village in Upper Mustang, Nepal, which is at an elevation of 4100 m, had to be relocated to Namashung village in the same region. This was necessitated by acute drought in Samjong that had persisted for almost a decade. While this might be a small case study of relocation, it merits closer analysis to understand the implications of climate change and human mobility. Should this happen on a larger scale, say, across Nepal, given the country’s vulnerability to climate change, climate change-induced migration will demand timely policy intervention.

Droughts: Does Samjong Reflect a Trend?
In Upper Mustang, which is a trans-Himalayan region receiving less than 200 mm of rain annually, erratic rain and snowfall has led to a deepening water crisis. The village of Dhey in the same region is a case-in-point. After facing an acute shortage of water supply for seven years and consequently decreased irrigated land size, a total of twenty three villages had to be relocated to Thangchung in 2009. Similarly, in 2016, eighteen households shifted from Samjong village to Namashung village in search of water. Upper Mustang, where people depend on agriculture and livestock rearing, has been reeling under acute water shortage due to prolonged spells of drought. With their main source of livelihood in jeopardy, the locals are faced with no option but to move.

Whether this is a trend or a standalone incident is hard to gauge as of now owing to the nature of droughts. Droughts occur slowly as compared to other natural hazards. They start without warning. Prolonged periods of no or acute rainfall can bring about crop failure, which in turn increases the vulnerability to food shortage. As a corollary, agrarian families that are directly dependent on the natural environment for their livelihood have to migrate. However, a single event of drought might not trigger migration. Due to this, the link between slow onsetting environmental changes like droughts and migration are not immediately apparent as sporadic droughts do not usually cause a large number of people to leave their living environment. Repeated droughts however can induce forced migration as without water for both drinking and irrigation purposes, people are compelled to move elsewhere as a means of survival.
Future Projections
Based on the National Adaptation Programme of Action (NAPA) 2010 report, due to effects of climate change, out of 75 districts in Nepal, 29 are highly vulnerable to natural hazards. Of the 29, 22 are drought-prone. Despite a paucity of data, it is safe to assume that these 22 districts will be the most vulnerable should the significant and consistent increase in temperature projected for Nepal over the coming years translate into drought conditions. In addition there are 12 districts vulnerable to Glacial Lake Outburst Floods (GLOFs).

Programmes like Local Adaptation Plan of Action (LAPA) have focused on the possibility of drought and have tried to mitigate the effects by encouraging ground water storage in communities, harvesting rain water, and so on. However, the enforced mobility of populations such as in Upper Mustang has not been given attention, despite the fact that it may become a necessity.

Human Mobility
Human mobility in the context of climate change and livelihood choices is based on individual capacities to access social and natural resources. Human mobility could manifest itself in the form of evacuation, temporary displacement, cross-border movement, planned relocation and so on. This has consequences of its own. High population density in one area can cause land stress as a disproportionate number of people will be dependent on a small amount of land for cultivation and agricultural purposes. Population stress on resources as a result of migration increases the chances of social conflict. This could manifest in the form increased competition over resources between local inhabitants and newly relocated populations. The relocation of people will influence the ecosystem at their destination by driving up demand for local and natural resources such as land, food, water, and fuel. Also, the relocation destination could already be under some water stress. Thus, more people will only add to the problem, making the site selection imperative.

Although this has so far been seen only in the two above-mentioned villages in Upper Mustang,  should relocation become inevitable, government policy must consider factors like potential social tensions, availability of cultivable land, and population density of the area to be relocated. Having key infrastructure in the place of relocation is important; this would include access to clean and drinkable water and water for other purposes, such as irrigation. Unless these factors are considered, arbitrary relocation could potentially cause  a backlash – usually in the form marginalisation - instead of providing relief to those relocating.

Conclusion
According to Nepal's Department of Meteorology and Hydrology, the country's average temperature is  increasing at an average rate of 0.04 degree celsius per year with the trend being much higher in the mountain region. Yet, the relationship between human mobility and climate change remains in the fringe of Nepal's policy discourse. 

5 Oct 2017

Community Solutions Programme for Community Activists (Fully-funded to the US) 2018

Application Deadline: 31st October 2017, at 12 p.m. EST.
Eligible Countries: See below
To be taken at (country): The United States
About the Award: The Community Solutions Program (CSP) is a year-long professional development program for people who are working to improve their communities by addressing issues related to the environment, tolerance and conflict resolution, transparency and accountability, and women and gender.
For 2018–2019, up to 100 community activists will be selected to participate in the program, which includes:
  • Four-month Fellowship in the United States: Community Solutions fellows are matched to host organizations throughout the US where they complete a four-month, hands-on professional experience.
  • Community Leadership Institute: Community Solutions fellows participate in the Community Leadership Institute, a leadership training program designed to strengthen their leadership and management skills. The Institute includes face-to-face trainings, online courses, professional coaching, and networking.
  • Community-based initiatives: While in the US and with the help of their US host organization, Community Solutions fellows design and plan a community development initiative or project to carry out after they return home. Once the fellows depart the US, they put these projects into action in their home communities.
Community Solutions Program application information
Type: Training, Fellowship
Eligibility: To be eligible for the Community Solutions Programme, applicants must meet the requirements listed below. Applications that do not meet these eligibility requirements will be disqualified and will not be reviewed by the selection committee.
  • You are between the ages of 25 and 38 as of January 1, 2018;
  • You are a citizen of one of the eligible countries listed below;
  • You are living and working in your home country;
    • Individuals with refugee status working on behalf of their home community may be given special consideration.
  • You have at least two years of experience working on community development, either as a full-time or part-time employee or volunteer;
  • You are not currently participating in an academic, training, or research program in the US;
  • You have a high level of proficiency in spoken and written English at the time of application;
    • Semifinalists will be required to take or submit recent scores for a TOEFL or IELTS English language test.
  • You are available to travel to the US for four months from August to December 2018;
  • You are not a citizen or permanent resident of the US and have not applied for US permanent residency within the past three years;
  • You are eligible to receive a US J-1 visa;
    • Applicants who have participated in an exchange program sponsored by the US Government must have fulfilled their two-year home residency requirement.
  • You are committed to returning to your home country for a minimum of two years after completing the program; and
  • You are not a current IREX employee or consultant, or their immediate family member.
Number of Awardees: Not specified
Value of Programme: The Community Solutions Programme covers the cost of most expenses associated with:
  • J-1 visa support;
  • Round-trip travel from participants’ home city to the US;
  • Monthly allowance to cover housing, meals and other living expenses while in the US;
  • Accident and sickness insurance.
Duration of Programme: 1 year
Eligible Countries:  
  • Africa: Botswana, Cameroon, Democratic Republic of Congo, Ethiopia, Kenya, Ghana, Guinea, Liberia, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Rwanda, Sierra Leone, South Sudan, Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.
  • East Asia and the Pacific: Burma, Cambodia, Federated States of Micronesia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Mongolia, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Republic of the Marshall Islands, Singapore, Thailand, Timor-Leste, and Vietnam.
  • Europe: Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Macedonia, Moldova, Montenegro, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Turkey, and Ukraine.
  • Middle East and North Africa: Algeria, Egypt, Iraq, Israel, Jordan, Lebanon, Libya, Morocco, Syria, Tunisia, and West Bank/Palestinian Territories.
  • South and Central Asia: Bangladesh, Bhutan, Maldives, Nepal, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan.
  • Western Hemisphere: Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Haiti, Jamaica, Paraguay, Peru, Trinidad and Tobago, and Uruguay.
How to Apply: Applications must be submitted online at https://oas.irex.org/csp by October 31, 2017, at 11:59 p.m. EDT. Applications that are mailed, faxed, or e-mailed to IREX will not be accepted.
Award Provider: International Research and Exchanges Board Inc. (IREX)

Eni Fully-funded Masters Scholarships for African Students at University of Oxford 2018/2019

Application Deadlines: 
  • Deadline to Apply to Oxford University 8th or 19th January 2018
  • Deadline to apply for Eni Scholarship – Friday 16th March 2018.
Offered annually? Yes
To be taken at: St Antony’s College, University of Oxford, UK
About the Award: These scholarships will allow St Antony’s to admit some of the best African students irrespective of means and will add immeasurably to the diverse and intellectual character of the College. This is part of a joint initiative between Eni & St Antony’s College to invest in and strengthen African leadership.
St Antony’s and Eni are equally keen to provide encouragement and where possible, structured incentives for Eni Scholars to continue their studies or find useful employment back in their home country after graduating from Oxford. Discussions about this are ongoing and scholars will be informed of relevant contacts and partnerships as they emerge.
Fields of Study: Applicants must apply for admission to one of the following eligible courses
1 year Master’s courses
  • MSc African Studies
  • MSc Economic & Social History
  • MSc Economics for Development
  • MSc Global Governance and Diplomacy
University of Oxford
Offered Since: 2011
Eligibility:
  • The scholarships are open to applicants who are ordinarily resident in Angola, Ghana, Mozambique, Nigeria, and the Republic of the Congo (Congo-Brazzaville). Preference will be given to applicants whose first degree is from an African university.
  • The scholarships will be awarded on the basis of both academic merit and potential and financial need. Preference will be given to applicants who have clear ambitions to use their accumulated learning to benefit their home country after graduation.
  • Please ensure you meet the requirements for entry to your course, including English language requirements. See the University’s course guide for more information.
Number of Scholarships: Three (3) scholarships will be awarded
Value of Scholarship
  • 100% of university and college fees, and an annual grant for living costs of £14,553 for 12 month courses and £10,915 for 9 month courses. The stipend for courses with different durations will be adjusted accordingly.
  • The scholarship also covers one economy return airfare from your home country to the UK at the start and end of your course.
Duration of Scholarship: 1 year
How to Apply: In order to be considered for the scholarship, please follow these three steps:
  1. Read the information on this webpage carefully.
  2. Apply online to the University of Oxford for one of the eligible courses as listed above. You must submit your application for graduate study to the University by the January deadline (8 or 19 January 2018 depending on the programme you apply to – please check the University’s guidance on application deadlines) and you must have secured a place on your chosen programme of study by the expected final decision date (16 March 2018). It would help if you select St Antony’s College in the college choice section of the application form, though this is not compulsory.
  3. Once you have applied to the University, please complete the online Eni Scholarship application form (available at: https://weblearn.ox.ac.uk/direct/eval-evaluation/16740)  The deadline for submission of the form is 12 noon, UK time, on Friday 16 March 2018.
Please note that incomplete and ineligible applications will not be considered for an Eni Scholarship. 
Sponsors: St Antony’s College, Oxford in partnership with the international integrated energy company Eni
Important Note: Successful candidates will be contacted by the end of May 2018

Nanyang President’s Graduate Scholarships (fully-funded) for International Students 2018/2019

Application Deadline: 30th November 2017.
Offered annually? Yes
Accepted Subject Areas: Courses offered at the university
About Scholarship: The Nanyang President’s Graduate Scholarship (NPGS) is a competitive and prestigious scholarship scheme designed to encourage outstanding graduates or final-year students to take their first step towards a leading research career by studying for a doctoral degree programme (PhD) at the Nanyang Technological University (NTU), one of Asia’s leading research universities. Funding will be provided for up to 4 years for NPGS awardees. Up to 30 NPGS awards will be made available in each Academic Year. Successful candidates will be known as Nanyang President’s Graduate Scholars
Type: Full PhD scholarship.
Who is qualified to apply?
  • There is no restriction as to the nationality of candidates but all things being equal, preference will be given to Singapore Citizens and Singapore Permanent Residents
  • You must have a First Class Honours degree or equivalent at Bachelor’s level. If you have not yet completed your undergraduate degree programme, you will need to furnish documentation from your university that you are on track to get a First Class Honours degree or equivalent.
Number of Awards: up to 30 NPGS awards to be offered
Value of Award: The NPGS award terms are:
  • Full tuition fees
  • Monthly stipend of $3,000
  • Conference allowance up to S$4,000 per financial year (April previous year to March current year).
  • One-time IT allowance of $1500
  • Annual grant of $500 for journal subscription or book purchase
  • Thesis preparation allowance
  • Priority will be given for subsidised campus accommodation
Duration of Program: Scholarship will last for 4 years
Eligible Countries: There is no restriction as to the nationality of candidates but, all things being equal preference will be given to Singapore Citizens and Singapore Permanent Residents.
To be taken at (country): Singapore
How to Apply:  Please apply at this link
Sponsor: Nanyang Technological University.

Google AI Residency Program for Young STEM Graduates 2018

Application Timeline:
  • Deadline: 8th January 2018
  • Interviews (phone, video, and/or on-site) will primarily take place from mid-January to March 2018.
  • Application results will be finalized by end of March 2018.
  • The program will start in summer 2018 and run for 12 months.
Eligible Countries: All
To Be Taken At (Country): USA. The Google AI Residency Program is primarily based in the Bay Area. Residents will also have the opportunity to be based in New York; Cambridge, Massachusetts; Montreal; and Toronto, depending on project fit and availability.
About the Award: The Google AI Residency Program (formerly known as the Google Brain Residency Program) is a 12-month role designed to advance your career in machine learning research. Residents will work alongside distinguished scientists from various Research teams. The goal of the residency is to help residents become productive and successful AI researchers.
We created the Google Brain Residency Program in 2015, and we are now expanding it into a broader program that involves not just the Google Brain team, but a broader group of research teams doing machine learning research. Residents will have the opportunity to do everything from conducting fundamental research to contributing to products and services used by millions of people. We encourage our Residents to publish their work externally. Take a look at what some have done in previous years.
We are looking for people who want to learn to conduct machine learning research in collaboration with our researchers. You may have research experience in another field (e.g., mathematics, physics, bioinformatics, etc.) and want to apply machine learning to this area, or you may have limited research experience but, a desire to do more. Of course having machine learning research experience is great.
Current students will need to graduate from their current degree program before the residency begins. We encourage candidates from all over the world to apply. If a candidate requires a work visa, Google will explore what options are available on a case by case basis.
The Google AI Residency Program is primarily based in the Bay Area and is expanding to new locations in 2018. Depending on resident interests, project fit, and team needs, accepted residents may be based in locations outside of the Bay Area, including New York; Cambridge (Massachusetts); Montreal; and Toronto. Residents are expected to work on site.
Type: Internships/Jobs
Eligibility: 
Minimum qualifications:
  • BA/BS degree in a STEM field such as Computer Science, Mathematics or Statistics, or equivalent practical experience.
  • Completed coursework in calculus, linear algebra, and probability, or their equivalent.
  • Experience with one or more general purpose programming languages, including but not limited to: C/C++ or Python
  • Experience with machine learning or deep learning, applications of machine learning to NLP, computer vision, speech, systems, robotics, algorithms, optimization, on-device learning, social networks, economics, information retrieval, journalism, or health care.
Preferred qualifications:
  • Research experience in machine learning or deep learning (e.g., links to open-source work or link to novel learning algorithms).
  • Strong open-source project experience that demonstrates programming, mathematical, and machine learning abilities and interest.
Selection Criteria: The research teams are looking for coding abilities in either Python or C++ and exposure to machine learning or deep learning; or applications of machine learning to NLP,  computer vision, speech, systems, robotics, algorithms, optimization, on-device learning, social networks, economics, information retrieval, journalism, or health care
Number of Awards: Not specified
Value of Award: All residents will be paid a competitive base salary and bonus.  If you need to relocate for the residency, Google will also provide a relocation bonus to assist you in the move to the Bay Area (or other location, if needed).
Duration of Program: 12 months
How to Apply: To apply, please read all instructions below and submit the following required materials:
  • Resume
  • Cover Letter
  • Transcript
Your application should show evidence of proficiency in programming and in prerequisite courses, notable performance in competitions, or links to an open-source project that demonstrates programming and mathematical ability. Your application should present a interest in the field. This can be demonstrated through links to publications and blog posts, or implementations of one or more (even slightly) learning algorithms, including an explanation for what makes it novel.
Step 1
Prepare the following documents to complete your application:
  • Current CV (including links to GitHub, papers and/or blogs if applicable).
  • Cover letter including a statement on why you think you’d be great for the Google AI Residency Program.
  • Transcripts from your most recent degree.
Step 2
Click on the “Apply Now” button on this page to provide the above required materials in the appropriate sections (PDFs preferred):
  • In the “Resume Section:” attach an updated resume.
  • In the “Optional Section:” attach your cover letter that includes a statement on why you think you’d be great for the Google AI Residency Program. This section is mandatory for the program even though it is optional, as noted on the website, for other jobs at Google.
  • In the “Education Section:” attach a current unofficial or official transcript in English. (Under “Degree Status,” select “Now attending” to upload a transcript.)
Note: We will ask you to provide a Letter of Recommendation once you have passed an initial review. If so, please have your recommender submit their letter to aires-app-external@google.com.
Award Providers: Google

Wole Soyinka Award for Investigative Reporting 2017

Application Deadline: 24th October, 2017
Eligible Countries: Nigeria
To be taken at (country): Nigeria
About the Award: The Wole Soyinka Centre for Investigative Journalism (WSCIJ) is accepting entries for its competition. Nigerian journalists or team of journalists, full or part-time, with stories published between 4th October 2016 and 3rd October 2017, can apply for opportunity.
This award seeks to honour journalism works from the print, online, photo, editorial cartoon, television, and radio categories in general. The submitted reports must involve in-depth coverage of clandestine activities on public and or corporate corruption, human rights abuses, or on regulatory failures in Nigeria.
In addition to the broad categories, WSCIJ in collaboration with Oxfam, an organisation dedicated to working to end the injustices that cause poverty, has included a special prize for reporting agriculture and food security in this year’s edition. The prize, which is part of a larger programme, will serve as an encouragement to reporters who are dedicated to reporting the focus area.
Received entries will be collated using the award coding system and assessed by a panel of media experts and related professionals with good understanding of investigative reporting. Judges would broadly score stories based on quality of investigation, evidence, human rights elements, ethical reportage, courage, individual creativity, public interest, impact and quality of presentation.
2017 wole soyinka award for investigative reporting
Eligible Fields: 
  • Print
  • Radio
  • Television
  • Photography
  • Online
  • Editorial Cartoon
Type: Contest
Eligibility and Selection Criteria: 
The main criterion for eligibility is that the work (single work or single-subject serial) must involve reporting on public, and or corporate corruption, human rights violation, or on the failure of regulatory agencies. The story should reflect a high quality of investigation in terms of newsworthiness, capacity to expose or prevent clandestine activities, corruption in the public domain, an understanding of human rights implications enhanced by the quality of delivery/presentation/writing. Such works should have been first published or broadcast in a Nigerian media between 4 October 2016 and 3 October 2017.
An applicant may only submit a maximum of a total of two entries.
Print Entries – Newspaper and Magazine
  • Entrants are required to send the original and a CLEAN Photocopy
Broadcast Entries – Radio and Television
  • Transcripts should be written in English language
  • Audio entries should be sent in audio CD format, with accompanying script while video entries must be on CD, with accompanying script.
  • 2 copies of each entry is required
Photographic Entries
  • In addition to the broad criteria, photo entries will be scored on creativity, impact and technical quality.
  • Each entry must be well captioned in English
  • It must come with the original photo, a copy of the published work with a clean photocopy of the latter and a CD with the picture(s)
Online Entries
  • Clearly indicated URL (web link) for the published work is required as printouts are unacceptable.
  • Entry should be sent online to entries@wscij.org
Editorial Cartooning
  • In addition to the broad criteria, editorial cartooning will also be scored on impact, creativity and originality.
  • An original copy of the published work with clean photocopy are required
Special prize for reporting food security and agriculture
A special prize for reporting food security and agriculture has been introduced this year as a part of WSCIJ’s media engagement programme on food security and agriculture in collaboration with Oxfam’s Voices for Food Security. The programme plans to improve media and public awareness on issues surrounding agriculture generally and food security in particular in the country. The prize on its part will serve as an encouragement to reporters who have been dedicated to reporting the issues.
Generally
  • Entry is free.
  • Only a maximum of two entries across all categories of the competition will be allowed per entrant.
  • All submitted works must be in English language.
  • The reporter with the most outstanding work(s) amongst the finalists will be selected as the WSCIJ-Nigerian Investigative Reporter of the year.
  • Entering for this competition commits you to grant WSCIJ a worldwide, perpetual, royalty free licence to use your works for any purpose deemed appropriate for the development of the award initiative, the Centre and the Nigerian and global media.
  • To enhance the development of media in the country, reporters that have been winners in this competition on at least three occasions will be ineligible to enter.
  • Employees of the WSCIJ and/or their immediate families are ineligible to participate in the competition.
  • WSCIJ guarantees that there is no connection between any sponsor and the judging process despite possible sponsorship of some categories of the award.
  • The competition shall be covered and interpreted with the laws of Nigeria.
Selection: All entries will be collated using the entry coding system and judged by a panel of experts from the media and related professions who are keen on investigative journalism. Judges would score stories based on ethical reporting, courage, individual creativity and public interest slant.
How to Apply: The submitted package should include:
  • A brief synopsis of the story/series, picture, or portfolio.
In the synopsis,  the applicant is expected to:
  • Explain the background of the project, identifying the issues and key players.
  • Describe what led to the topic or caption, any unusual condition faced in developing the project and whether the investigation had any ramifications.
  • Describe challenges to the content of the story/series that were not reported in the original work.
  • Include up-to-date curriculum vitae for every reporter who bears the byline of the story with passport photograph(s).
  • Include any relevant background information on submitted work(s).
Kindly send entries to:
The Centre Coordinator,
18A, Abiodun Sobanjo Street, Off Lateef Jakande
Road, Agidingbi, Ikeja, Lagos, Nigeria.
Online entries must however, be sent via email to entries@wscij.org
Award Provider: Wole Soyinka Centre for Investigative Journalism (WSCIJ)
Important Notes: 
  • Synopsis should be in English and a maximum of 400 words
  • All submissions (apart from the online entry where submission is to be made by email) should be in hard copy for all categories.

Muslim Women Leaders Programme (Partially-funded) 2018 – Columbia University

Application Deadline: 1st November, 2017
Eligible Countries: All
To be taken at (country): Union Theological Seminary City of New York, USA
About the Award: This winter, from January 20-22, 2018, the Islam, Social Justice, and Interreligious Engagement Program (ISJIE) at Union Theological Seminary will host the second annual Muslim Women Leaders Program (MWLP).
The Muslim Women Leaders Program (MWLP) aims to nurture a community of dialogue among diverse Muslim women leaders. The program seeks to provide opportunities for networking; examination of relevant aspects of Islamic thought and practice; and development of practical skills in public engagement and communication. The program includes content sessions, practical trainings, dialogues with visiting Muslim women leaders, and group activities and discussions that draw upon the expertise and experiences of participants. Muslim women (18 years and older), who currently serve as leaders, are encouraged to apply.
Union Theological Seminary in the City of New York is an independent, ecumenical, Christian seminary. It is the oldest independent seminary in the United States and is located Columbia University.
Type: Training, Conference
Eligibility: 
  1. Every participant must identify as a Muslim woman, and must be 18 years of age or older.
  2. The online application will go live on October 1st.
  3. Applications (including reference) must be submitted by 11:59 PM on Tuesday, November 1st.
  4. Applicants will be notified of admission by or around December 1st.
  5. The quality of the MWLP depends on the full participation of all attendees. In order to build community and best ensure a productive time, participants are required to be present at and participate fully in all program activities.
  6. MWLP will strive to create as diverse of a cohort as possible.
Value of Programme: 
  1. Each participant will receive $500 stipend.
  2. A limited amount of travel stipends, in the maximum amount of $200, are available for accepted applicants traveling long distances to New York City.
Duration of Scholarship:  From January 20-22, 2018
How to Apply: 2018 Application
Award Provider:  Union Theological Seminary

(MMEG)/Trinity Washington University Scholarships for Women in Developing Countries 2018

Application Deadline: 15th January 2018
Eligible Countries: Developing Countries
To be taken at (country): Washington DC, USA
Field of Study: All
About the Award: The Margaret McNamara Educational Grants (MMEG) provides grants to women from developing countries to help further their education and strengthen their leadership skills to improve the lives of women and children in developing countries. About $15,000 Education grants are awarded to women from developing and middle-income countries who, upon obtainment of their degree, intend to return to or remain in their countries, or other developing countries, and work to improve the lives of women and/or children.
Offered Since: 2016
Eligibility: Applicants must meet the following eligibility criteria:
  • Be at least 25 years old at time of application deadline (see specific regional program application below);
  • Be a national of a country listed on the MMEG Country Eligibility List (listed below);
  • Be enrolled at an accredited academic institution when submitting application; and plan to be enrolled for a full academic term after award of the grant by the Board;
  • Not be related to a World Bank Group, International Monetary Fund or Inter-American Development Bank staff member or spouse;
Selection Criteria: In addition to the above criteria, an applicant must:
  • already be enrolled as a full time student, and plan to continue studying full time in the following academic year;
  • not be related to Trinity staff
Number of Awardees: 2
Value of Scholarship: The grant is awarded to last for the duration of study
How to Apply: Apply via Scholarship Webpage link below.
Remember to read the Application Checklist & FAQs before applying, and select “Trinity program” in the first question of the application. If the program name does  not appear, the program may be closed to new applications.
Award Provider: The Margaret McNamara Educational Grants (MMEG), Trinity Washington University
Important Notes:  Application opens from September 15 until January 15. Queries may be addressed to  <trinity@mmeg.org> during this period. Decisions will be announced by April.

Taiwan: a Pawn Yet to Pass the Use-By Date

GERRY BROWN

Taiwanese leader Tsai Ing-wen is nervous about the upcoming Trump’s visit to Mainland China. She’s concerned that Trump might sell Taiwan down the river in some sort of bargain between the two superpowers.
For all her long years as a crusader of Taiwan independence, Tsai is a babe in the woods in geopolitics. She fails to see what Taiwan really means to America : Not an ally or even a protectorate, but a mere tool to contain China. And America is prepared to abandon that tool if the cost of keeping it becomes unbearably high.
America forsook Taiwan in 1979 when Washington switched diplomatic recognition from Taiwan to Mainland China. The empire did so out of the geopolitical imperative of winning China over to its side in the Cold War. The Taiwan Relations Act was America’s way of having the best of both worlds : Getting Mainland China on board to counter the Soviets, while continuing to keep China divided.
The level of American military commitment to Taiwan’s defence in the abrogated Sino-America Mutual Defence Act was lowered by several notches in the Taiwan Relations Act. The Taiwan Relations Act potentially requires the U.S. to intervene militarily if the PRC attacks or invades Taiwan. The act states that “the United States will make available to Taiwan such defense articles and defense services in such quantity as may be necessary to enable Taiwan to maintain a sufficient self-defense capabilities”.
However, the decision about the nature and quantity of defense services that America will provide to Taiwan is to be determined by the President and Congress. America’s policy has been called “strategic ambiguity” and it is designed to dissuade Taiwan from a unilateral declaration of independence, and to dissuade the PRC from unilaterally unifying Taiwan with Mainland China.
Two key aspects of the Taiwan Relations Act are worth noting : Strategic ambiguity, and America’s desire to maintain the status quo. As typical of a master-servant relationship, Uncle Sam will come to Taiwan’s defence only when it suits the master. Hence the strategic ambiguity. Thus, in the 1996 Taiwan Strait Crisis, America sent two carrier groups and numerous warships into the Taiwan Strait and adjacent area to intimidate China. The Yankees were swaggering in the strait, knowing full well that China then had no missiles powerful enough to hit cripple the carrier battle groups.
Will America do the same again if another crisis erupts? One thing is certain, American carriers and warships won’t enter the Taiwan Strait again. They will be sunk by China’s new, powerful anti-carrier missiles, faster than the Yankee sailors can swear WTF!
On its part, China has countered America’s Taiwan Relations Act with its own anti-secession law which draws clear, unequivocal Red Lines against Taiwan independence. America knows the score : China means what it says. McArthur learnt it the hard way by ignoring China’s warning not to cross the 38th parallel in the Korean War.
That’s the reason every Taiwan politician aspiring to the highest office must pass the litmus test set by America : Keeping the status quo. As in the Korean peninsula, Taiwan is most useful to the empire when the status quo is maintained : No reunification, and no declaration of Taiwan independence. Truth is America has no desire nor stomach to come to Taiwan’s defence if a Taiwanese leader crosses the Red Line and provokes an attack by Mainland China.
Whatever bargain Trump and Xi may reach in Trump’s forthcoming visit to China, Tsai can rest assured that America won’t throw Taiwan under the bus, YET. Taiwan has yet to pass the Use-by-Date to America. In the same vein, Trump can be expected to mouth adherence to the One China policy for the umpteenth time, without an iota of meaning and sincerity. If Tsai expects Trump to persuade China to abandon the Red Line on Taiwan Independence or go soft on her party DPP’s crusade to break away from China, she’ll be sorely disappointed.