Pictures have the power to reflect everyday life experiences and are a valuable tool for storytelling. They capture a moment in time in history and also have the power to transport one to faraway places.
The African Union and GIZ have joined forces to launch The Agenda 2063 Africa Photojournalism Project for African Female Journalists.
The agenda 2063 Africa Photojournalism Project aims to inspire photojournalists from all across the continent to share powerful images telling Africa’s story from an African perspective. The Project also aims to capacitate journalist by providing them with training that will enhance their
craft and storytelling ability through the use of imagery.
The Project is in line with Africa’s Development Strategy Agenda 2063 which provides the framework for Africa’s socio-economic growth agenda through the implementation of key projects that will transform the continent into a global powerhouse. The key to this transformation is changing the narratives and stereotypes about Africa and Africans and inculcating the spirit of Pan Africanism as envisioned in Aspiration 5 of Agenda 2063.
The Project is also in line with the African Union Theme for the year 2021 “Art’s Culture and Heritage: Levers for Building Africa We Work as it aims to tap into the artistic and creative aspects of journalism to portray Africa’s diversity, rich heritage, and cultural diversity and the economic development and social transformation of the continent led by Africans.
The Project will be implemented by undertaking activities :
- Agenda 2063 Women’s Photojournalism Award: which will recognize and celebrate outstanding female journalists whose submission of African images will be defined by categories defined by the Goals and Aspirations of Agenda 2063. Photographers will submit their photographic work and individual perspective on these categories.
- Online training portal: Online learning modules on photojournalism will be made available for free to 100 women journalists. Certification will be awarded through the African Union Virtual University or the AU Pan-African University – Apply for the training here: http://bit.ly/apacourse
- Podcasts: A podcast series for citizenry and media engagement will be developed
- Research and research will be conducted regarding lived experiences of photojournalists documenting Mediation /Conflict resolution, peacekeeping, and peacebuilding initiatives in Africa championed in line with Aspiration 4 of Agenda 2063 and the Flagship Project of Silencing the Guns