I NFORMATION | C OMMUNICATION | C OLLABORATION F RAMEWORK
A FRICAN V IEWS ANNUAL ISSUE #3—D ECEMBER 31, 2012
Y EAR - END
NEWSLETTER
AFRICAN VIEWS ORGANIZATION
S PECIAL
We have reached the conclusion of another year and entering into an even more energizing year of work in communities at home and abroad. 2012 has been an exciting and fruitful year. Our main goal for 2012 was to achieve economic stability and sustainability of African Views Organization. I want to take this opportunity to thank all African Views associates for the terrific job being done to achieve this goal. I recognize the long hours you have been working, and I know how committed we all are. If we continue at our current pace we should be able achieve this goal with flying colors by 2013. That will give us time for a welldeserved pat the back, and perhaps that long awaited celebration you have all been asking for.
African Views Organization latest developments
Main Goals in 2013
Performance Review of our organization in 2012
Performance Ratings Scale
Most memorable friends & colleagues we love and admire event in 2012
Collaborative Opportunities
This newsletter provides a proper recap of African Views Picture: (Left) William A. Verdone, Chairachievements and shortcomings in 2012, as well as our man of the Board (right) Wale Idris Ajibade, plans and agenda for 2013. In picture on this column, Executive Director, Chairman Verdone and Executive Director Wale Idris receives award from board member Dr. Surendra Kaushik on June 8th, 2012 at Forest Hills, New York for their support on Women empowerment and Advancement at Helena Kaushik Women’s College in Jaipur, Rajasthan, India.
POINTS OF
INTEREST :
I NSIDE
THIS ISSUE :
O UR APPRECIATIONS
O UR G OALS
IN
2013
During the 2012 director’s meeting, the importance of reiterating the clarity of purpose and goals of African Views Organization was echoed and we rose to the occasion. The matter was discussed during our board meeting and we came up with firm statements as followed: African Views Organization is a non-profit organization focused on research, media, and development. The mission of our organization is to provide information, communication, and collaboration. We provide information, facilitate communication, and encourage worldwide collaboration for achieving sustained improvement on social development and cultural advancement parity. This statements captures what we do. In simple terms, We provide, communicate and implement information for social development and cultural advancement purposes.
This year we were able to provide 63 ID cards for African Views country directors (AVCDs) and associates in various parts of the world. We made clear that the role of AVCD and is to establish and manage a country charter on behalf of African Views Organization. AV will provide programs, New African Views logo intelligence, and incentives. AVCD shall perform localize and by Leni Charles, 2012 manage African Views Organization in host country. Our goal in 2013 is register and open new offices in countries that can demonstrate global standard capability — locally.
O UR A CHIEVEMENTS O UR CHALLENGES O UR PROJECTS O UR PROGRAMS MEMORIAL
O UR PROGAM FOR 2013
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A FRICAN V IEWS
AV annual board meeting was held on October 21, 2012 at the private home AV ANNUAL BOARD MEETING IN 2012 of Mrs. Agnieszka Grzybowska in South Orange, New Jersey. We were all able to meet her wonderful family and experienced their well noted hospitality. During this meeting we discussed that African Views has reached a point of maturity where a governing board is necessary. AV Board, October 21, 2012 From Left: Ernest Opong, Agnieszka Grzybowska, Wale Ajibade, Dr. Ada Okika, Bill Verdone, Christopher Campos, Regina Askia Williams, Karim Camara (Guest), Carmelo Garcia, Mel Brown, Oliver Mbamara and Sire Dione Conde Discussion Highlights
Media Programs: i. AVRadio ii. AVTV iii. AV Magazine iv. AV programs on DVD c. Research Programs: i. Volunteer Pro-
grams iii. Internship Programs iv. ACE Programs for Children d. Collaborative Projects: i. Institute of African Cultures and Traditions 1. African Cultural Art Book 2. World Cultural Cuisines ii. Women Affairs Programs iii. Women Empowerment Program iv. “Gift of Sight” Project v. Women’s Education – Helena Kaushik Women’s College vi. And more.
F RIENDS
AND COLLEAGUES WE LOVE AND ADMIRE IN
2012
To promote women's empowerment through education, Dr. Kaushik founded the Mrs. Helena Kaushik Women's Post Graduate College in Rajasthan, India in 1999. He received the prestigious Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Award for his achievements in economics, promoting the honor and prestige of India, and the interests of overseas Indians. On June 8, 2012 Dr. Kaushik was joined by friends and colleagues to celebrate the First Annual Helena Kaushik Education Foundation Recognition Dinner. T HROUGH
2012 Pravasi award winners (Dr. Surendra Kaushik Standing by the Indian PM
COLLABORATION , WE LEVERAGE THE COMPLEMENTARY EXPERTISE OF OUR PARTNERS TO ACHIEVE MUTUAL OBJECTIVES AND CREATE VALUE FOR THE COMMUNITIES WE SERVE .
The fundraiser was followed by the PBD Award celebration on June 15th at Indian consulate in NYC. During this event we put string instruments from three continents together, a Most memorable friends & colleagues program that is an initiative of African Views’. we love and admire event in 2012: The world came together in harmony when Violin, Cello, Sarod, Tabla, and Kora players we combined to give an improvised spectacular performance to with the world. The audience appreciated it so much that they gave 10 minutes standing ovation after the performance. Dr. Kaushik gave each of the musicians flower bouquet and the consul general said there would be no wars if musicians ruled the world. This event marks Dr. Kaushik’s interest to Dr. Uchenna Ekwo CMPI take Indian Virtue beyond India with the hope that young women who want to study and teachers who want to teach are given the opportunity wherever they may be. The HK Women’s College recognizes the importance of preparing students to be successful citizens in the global society of the 21st century, and it prioritizes His Excellency Mr. Prabhu Dayal, (left) reading a poem that he had written for Dr. Kaushik (Right) comprehensive and value based education programs that intentionally prepare students to be active and engaged participants in an interconnected world. at the Fundraising Gala
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PROGRAM PERFORMANCE REPORT
AFRICAN VIEWS RADIO PROGRAMS Since its inception in 2010, AV Radio has produced 38 programs on the empowerment of women, 22 programs on MDGs, 43 programs on health, 16 youth programs, and 26 programs on the environment with listenership extending into even more countries. AV radio is unique in a sense that it can also be accessed and listened to on the phone or Skype. This is particularly useful because cell phones are ubiquitous in Africa and is currently the most reliable access to digital life. AV Media advocacy program is one of the core capabilities of our organization. We use strategic and innovative approaches to inform, communicate and promote public debate, and generate community consensus through media advocacy. The current AV Radio programs were rated as follows:
The Youth initiatives program provides a platform where young people can connect and communicate across cultural, national, institutional, and disciplinary boundaries in order to discuss issues that are specific to the youth, to share ideas, learn from the world, collaborate, and fulfill mitzvahs, desires, and dreams. Topics are carefully selected and designed to generate spontaneous and cumulative repository of research information. The program provides a unique opportunity for students, faculty, young people, and mentors to make a lasting difference by participating in this exciting movement of fact finding, changing bias perspectives and stimulating innovation. Youth Initiatives takes place at 12 Noon EST on Fridays, and is hosted by Tully McLoughlin and Sharon Benzoni. 2012 Rating: MOST DYNAMIC African Health Dialogues is a discussion about awareness, progress and gaps, costs and accessibility of medical /pharmaceutical products and services within the African and African Diaspora communities Worldwide. Objective of the program is to provide health literacy, advocacy, and inspire consensus and leadership roles in improving public health care status in underserved communities. The is conducted by health professionals who believe that only through value-based information exchange system can effective functioning health service, reliable supply chains for medicines, equipment and quality of life be improved. African Health Dialogues takes place 12 Noon EST on Sundays, and is hosted by: Regina Askia Williams (RN), Dr. Ladi Owolabi, Dr. Biodun Awosusi, Mr. Folusho Obe, and Mrs. Raolat Nike Agunbiade Erin. 2012 Rating: MOST VALUABLE Millennium Development Goals is a discussion about the Millennium Declaration, adopted by all 189 United Nations Member States in 2000, promised a better world with less poverty, hunger and disease; a world in which mothers and children have a greater chance of surviving and of receiving an education, and where women and girls have the same opportunities as men and boys. The MDGs break down into 21 quantifiable targets that are measured by 60 indicators. The goal of this program is to examine the progress made since the year 2000 to the present in the various regions with reference to the 8 MDG goals. Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) takes place at 12 Noon EST on Thursdays, and is hosted by: Dr. Padmini (Mini) Murthy, MD, MPH and Dr Elvira Beracochea, MD, MPH. 2012 Rating: MOST EFFECTIVE The Future Women Want is a women’s education and empowerment discussion program focused on coordinating international and intercultural efforts to integrate gender equality and women’s empowerment into poverty reduction, democratic governance, crisis prevention and recovery, and environment and sustainable development through our global network of university students, scholars and friends and colleagues who work to ensure that women have a real voice in all governance institutions, from the judiciary to the civil service, as well as in the private sector and civil society. The Future Women Want takes place 1at 2 Noon EST on Wednesdays, and is hosted by: Dr. Ada Okika Mrs. Chi Ezekwueche, Dr. Ifechukwu Anikpe and Ms. Amara Nwosu. 2012 Rating: MOST IMPROVED AND MOST EFFICIENT In addition to our radio panel discussion programs, we are proud to say that AVTV has completed collating its video presentation for every single country in the world. Audience can now see videos of about socio -cultural development of each country on AV. You can also see African experiences in all countries. See the AV framework for more information.
ANNUAL ISSUE #3—D ECEMBER 31,
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REPORT BY ANYADIKE, ONYINYE STEPHANIE (DIRECTOR AFRICAN VIEWS UKRAINE).
tended progress.
I was on such an assignment in Onitsha- Anambra state, during this long summer As many of you are aware, in break between June and Auaddition to African Views gust 2012. My name is Onycontributions to solve basic inye Anyadike; I am currently human problems, we also a medical student at the Terattempt to observe and pronopil State Medical Univervide the most objective report sity in Ukraine and the Afrion how relevant and effective can Views Country Director the resources extended to (AVCD) of the Ukraine. I was grantees are maximized and sent to Nursery and Primary how well they perform comschool to observe and give pared to expectations from report on the implementation grantors, the community they of the distribution of over 200 serve, and within their our medical recommended glasses capacity or agenda. Our purdonated to them by the Gift pose is not necessarily to auof Sight Project dit the entity but rather to (Collaboration between Afrimake sure that all concerned can Views, Sidewalk Univerare fairly represented and that sity and the Lion’s Club of accountability and integrity NJ) and in addition, identify are upheld towards the inOctober 1, 2012
Stephanie Onyinye Anyadike (DIRECTOR AFRICAN VIEWS UKRAINE).
AV PERFORMANCE RATING SCALE: T HE GOOD THING ABOUT SCIENCE IS THAT IT ’ S TRUE WHETHER OR NOT YOU BELIEVE IN IT . – N EIL DE G RASSE T YSON
There are two types of criticisms, Objective and Subjective criticisms. Objective criticism is when you can form an opinion about something without feelings or prejudices getting in the way. It would be subjective, however if you state it based on your own personal relationship with the person.
Peter Joseph McKenna and Alhaji Papa Susso teaching a special music class to 3rd graders at PS 107, Brooklyn, NY on December 3, 2012
the areas where the school would need improvements and necessary developments. Many African Schools are not familiar with analyst rating systems. Some schools’ proprietors and principals still think that the rating systems are devised to expose their weaknesses or out to get them. In order to determine the true value of a product, service, or a security -- analysts must research public information, talk to managers and producers, and maintain professional standard measures and ethics. This approach works in sophisticated and developed market systems. It is similar to making a statement on a movie that you have seen except with standard measures.
WHAT MAKES A SCHOOL STANDARD ARE THE FOLLOWING FACTORS:
Accessibility: For any boarding-system institution, it’s more of an advantage if it is located in a residential area or an area populated by residents. This makes parents and children alike reach the school with ease.
is such an institution in a very sensitive level, because it deals with children with average or low immunity, hence if environmental hygiene is not in place, schools would be perfect avenues for the spread of infection and diseases.
Teachers to Pupils relationship: several theories have proven that pupils and students alike enjoy, assimilate and even know any subject better if they like the teacher involved.
Simple basic amenities and required structures, a primary institution should have: a school should at least have good classes with proper ventilation, chairs and tables for the students, computer rooms with computers ratio to pupils at 1: 5. So, if there are 200 pupils in a school, there should be about 40 computers which are working and well equipped. Also, the administrative building should have
Environmental factors, such as hygiene and adequate ventilation around the school: are institutions which consist or accommodate a multitude of individuals. A primary school
some facilities such as the photocopying, scanning machines and any other stationary equipment. Good Teachers/admin staff/ parents interaction: Teachers who are not in good terms with the school administrators will definitely affect their knowledge impacting skills on their pupils. Qualification of staff. Quantity is not enough, quality is the key: Having a good ratio of teachers to pupils is one thing, but having more than 90% if not 100% of these same teachers as qualified is another thing. If non-qualified staffs are accumulated, the aim of having such an institution is defeated.
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AV PERFORMANCE RATINGS COUNTRY PERFORMANCE INDICATORS The African Views country performance indicators are based on a host of relative performance statistics that are offered on its country profile page. It uses scores attributed to each of these indicators to gauge and compare favorable conditions for sustainable development in all countries. Thanks to Pradeep Sapkota, we were able to complete this section of the AV framework in 2012. http://www.africanviews.org/country-profiles LEADERSHIP PERFORMANCE MEASUREMENT African issues stakeholders are individuals, institutions, businesses, governments, organizations, and associations in the cause of advancing peace and well being in African communities worldwide. African Views provides an open access platform for much needed education about all forms of contributions they are making to solve basic human problems. We also facilitate the opinion polls from the people and community they serve in order to get a balance effectiveness and relevance. PERFORMANCE RATINGS AND REVIEWS OF AFRICAN LEADERS Performance ratings and review of African leaders, and other influential entities such as civil societies, nonprofit organizations… Go to site click here COMMUNITY PROGRAMS DIRECTORY AFRICAN VIEWS WEBSITE OFFERS FREE LISTING FOR YOUR CAUSE: if you have a nonprofit program or project geared towards improving conditions of lives in African or developing communities from anywhere please list your organization or program in our directory. This will help avoid effort-redundancies, strengthen capacities, improve collaboration with many people who need to know what you do and find you here. AV listing is provided to you for free. We are serious about connecting African programs worldwide to improve efficiency and effectiveness. This service is available to all organizations anywhere in the world that operates any form of African related non profit program or project. Your listing will help us help you in many ways as well as provide you with eve great outreach being part of a wider network of international African nonprofit related framework. This is also a good opportunity for organizations that do not currently have an existing webpage. Listing your services here will give you broader connection. Visit site AV STUDENT CHAPTER African Views provides a unique opportunity for students, faculty and staff to harness the vitality and passion on their school campus to make a lasting difference by participating in this exciting movement of changing bias perspectives and stimulating innovation. We believe that, by connecting African Views Students Chapters from different institutes in all countries, we may bring about a unique intelligence for innovations and performance in many aspect of modern civilization. People from all professional, scholastic and cultural backgrounds are welcome to join all departments of African Views.
TO THE MOST HONEST MAN I HAVE KNOWN IN MY LIFE . Stephanie’s dad passed suddenly during her short visit to Nigeria. She wrote this memorial for him.
with seven children, He died on the 17th of June 2012 the day set aside for celebrating Fathers.
Mr. Stephen Anyadike was born into a polygamous family in Ifite village of Nanka Anambra State Nigeria. He was single handedly raised by the mum together with the only brother and late sister. He got married to his heartthrob Mrs. Edna Anyadike and was blessed
Without missing words I can tell anyone that Mr. Stephen played a vital role in my life not just as a Father but also as a life coach. He was one of the major reasons for what and who I am. One of his legacies I will never allow to fade away is HONESTY. He was one
man I do not ever query a single word that falls from his lips not even his jokes. His quest for justice and peace which bore him a popular name ”Ezeudo” meaning “King of peace” which he lived with till death. Death has taken away one of the humans that make the world worth living but He will keep living in the hearts of those that love him.
“ADIEU DAD I WILL LIVE TO APPRECIATE AND CELEBRATE YOU .”
Stephanie Onyinye Anyadike Daughter. 2012.
O UR
CONDOLENCES
A FRICAN V IEWS P ROGRAMS FOR 2013 Media Programs:
Collaborative Projects:
AVRadio AVTV AV Magazine (Hard copy and Virtual) AV programs on DVD
Institute of African Cultures African Women Empowerand Traditions ment and Advancement Summit in Africa African Cultural Art Book Social Business: Women Affairs Programs in partnership with WIC Data brokerage service provides information about “Gift of Sight” Project with Active Bids, Upcoming OpSide Walk University portunities, and recent ConWomen’s Education – He- tract Awards. lena Kaushik Women’s ColAfrican Diaspora Federal lege. AV is an independent Credit Union nonprofit organization. We have applied for UNDPI Status. However, we always work in collaboration with other organizations.
Research Programs: Phone: 646-226-0262 E-mail: av@africanviews.org
Student Chapters Volunteer Programs Internship Programs
HOW CAN YOU HELP?
Workshops:
Www.africanviews.org
CONTACT US. FIND OUT HOW
ACE Programs for Children African World Cultural Cuisines
YOU CAN HELP
Conferences:
INFORMATION | COMMUNICATION | COLLABORATION FRAMEWORK
A FRICAN C ULTURAL E XCHANGE P ROGRAM African Cultural Exchange Program is one of our most popular programs at AV. On December 4th at PS 107, in Brooklyn we were able to connect 3rd graders with skids of the same age groups in Gaborone, Botswana and Dakar, Senegal. Thanks to Cheikhou Thiome and Sandra Augustine Nnebo. I’d like to start by divulging how grateful we are to all of you in helping to bring this special program to children. We believe that with the help of teachers, and schools with objective curriculum, we can begin to guide our children in the right path by cultivating a better understanding of future challenges on self-reliance and interdependency of cultural diversity. The kids at PS 107 experienced an improved- full version of the African Cultural Exchange (ACE) Program for Children on Tuesday. They experienced a firsthand presentation of Africa, which includes regional and climatic identification, cultural diversity, and national cuisine. They also had the opportunity to meet children their age group in Africa via Skype.
We are very happy that we were able to have the Ndebele Dolls again this year. This class was taught by our volunteers, Judy Kassima Hosein and Francesca Sciarra (College Students). The Ndebele dolls class is one of the children’s favorites.
FOR
C HILDREN
Taking turns to Skype with peers in Africa
It is however very important to share with you that we are also in the presence of royalty, as Alhaji Papa Susso (Suntu) will also join us to teach the cultural diversity class. One of our trademarks at African Views is the promotion of cultural diversity and we have been using traditional string instruments to teach this class. Alhaji Papa Susso is a Kids showing off their Ndebele Dolls griot or jeli, master kora player, and director of the Koriya Musa Center for Research in Oral Tradition. Suntu was accompanied by Mr. Joseph Peter Mckenna, a college tutor, and song writer. He helped to show the contrast of guitar as a traditional string instrument to the children. This class is beautiful. We expect that our programs will Kids learning to play Kora contribute to proper and value based development of young children world-
HAPPY NEW YEAR FROM US TO ALL