African Technology Policy Studies Network

Essay Competition Topic: Tapping the Potential of Science, Technology and Innovation in Agri-food Chains in Africa - Creating Employment & Wealth for Youths in Africa.


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TOPIC: Tapping the Potential of Science, Technology and Innovation in Agri-food Chains in Africa - Creating Employment & Wealth for Youths in Africa
CTA and ATPS are happy to announce an essay competition based on the above topic. The essay should explore the following areas:
  • identify the critical obstacles facing the youth in the quest for employment and wealth creation in Africa
  • explore how agriculture, science, technology and innovation can be employed to overcome these obstacles
  • give practical proposals/suggestions on how to tap the potential of agriculture, science, technology and innovation in agri-food chains in Africa.
NB: this section should include concrete recommendations and steps to be taken to address the issues of unemployment.

Guidelines

  • The essay should be approximately 1,500 words in length, written in English and submitted in MS-Word (Font: Times New Roman, 12 points).
  • The essay together with full curriculum vitae (CV) must be submitted as MS-Word attachments.
  • Personal experiences/reflections: the use of personal experiences in creating employment opportunities using science, technology and innovation in agriculture is preferred giving details of the science/technology employed, description of the problem solved, and the results/impact (number of people employed or situations improved)
  • The essays could also focus on the activities of an organization that is engaged in creating wealth and employment opportunities by harnessing the powers of Science, Technology and Innovation (ST&I) in the agri-food chains.

Eligibility

Youth in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) aged between 18-30 years.

Judging Criteria

Essays will be evaluated on the basis of demonstrated understanding on the issues, quality of argument or analysis and writing style.

Prizes

  • Sponsorship to the CTA/ATPS youth congress on "Youth and Employment/Wealth Creation: Opportunities in Agriculture, Science and Technology" in June 2005 in Nairobi, Kenya. (Travel, accommodation, and sustenance paid)
  • Cash prize and certificates for the top 5 entrants
  • Essays to be published on the CTA/ATPS websites and other publications

Deadline

All essays and application materials must be sent through the following e-mail address youth@atpsnet.org no later than 10 May, 2005. News Releases Newsletter Success Stories.