Perhaps you connect to the Internet using Nokia Siemens Networks (NSN), you own a Cisco Systems router, or Netfirms is your web hosting company. According to a new report by Reporters Without Borders (RSF), these companies and many other technology heavyweights are collaborating with dictatorships that jail bloggers and censor the Internet – and they deserve to be sanctioned. More from IFEX

Watch, Be Inspired and Learn: a series of short films to inspire and entertain

Kubatana.net has compiled a series of short clips and interviews with change makers from around the world. This DVD includes motivating ideas and stories that will encourage you to think, act and help shake things up!

Amongst others we bring you:

* Wael Ghonim on how Facebook helped the revolution in Egypt
* Patrick Awuah on educating a new generation of African leaders
* Chris Abani tells stories of shared humanity
* Joseph Lekuton tells a parable from Kenya

and … at home

* Comrade Fatso & Chakvondoka ft. Outspoken share their feelings about trying to make a living in MaStreets
* Amanda Atwood shaves her head illustrating a personal act of solidarity
* Women of Zimbabwe Arise (WOZA) show how street action can be necessary to draw attention to what’s wrong

ACTION: If you would like a copy of this free DVD email your name and postal address to products [at] kubatana [dot] net with Watch and Learn in the subject line.

Please note, if you’ve already requested this DVD via SMS, thank you for your request! We’ve made a note of your address and your DVD is on its way to you.

Either way, once you’ve received it, please remember to Share It.

Thanks

The Kubatana team

Chickenshed present …

The Rain That Washes

At Chickenshed

Tuesday 29th September 2011 – Saturday 8th October

An epic journey through Zimbabwe’s turbulent history. A true story that is poignant, political and personal, this beautifully realised one-man show brings to life the human drama behind the history and the headlines.

Following the dream of majority rule, one man sees Ian Smith’s Rhodesia become Robert Mugabe’s Zimbabwe.

From refugee camps in Botswana to air strikes in Zambia via Marxism in Bulgaria, he returns to Zimbabwe, only to witness the greatest betrayal of all.

Age Recommendation: 12 plus
Running Time: Approx. 60 minutes
Tickets: £8 (£6 concs)

Venue: Chickenshed Theatre (Studio)
Address: Chase Side, Southgate,London, N14 4PE

Box Office: 020 8292 9222

Nearest Tube: Oakwood/Cockfosters.

More here

Protection Intern  – United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR)
Deadline: 21 September 2011

Location: Harare, Zimbabwe with some travel within Zimbabwe.

Duration of assignment: 3-6 months, starting end of November 2011.

Compensation: PLEASE NOTE THIS IS AN UNPAID INTERNSHIP. There is no possibility of compensation or reimbursement of expenses. Interns are expected to cover all travel costs to and from Zimbabwe (if based abroad) as well accommodation, living, and other related costs once they are in the country. The Office will provide documentation of the Internship to educational institutions and other appropriate bodies, as needed.

Note Well: There should be no expectation of employment at the end of the Internship, and per UNHCR rules, an intern may not apply for a position with UNHCR until six months have elapsed from the end of their internship.

Supervision: The Intern will be supervised by an international staff member in UNHCR’s Protection Unit in the Branch Office Harare.

Duties and Responsibilities

To support the Office in implementing the UNHCR protection and durable solution activities in Zimbabwe for refugees, IDP’s and refugee returnees by:

* Assisting UNHCR staff with individual counseling of urban refugees and ensuring appropriate follow-up after counseling sessions;
* Assisting in updating files and profiles in UNHCR computerized database system;
* Drafting relevant communications with UNHCR partners and government counterparts under the direction of UNHCR staff;
* Conducting visits to Waterfalls Transit Center in Harare to follow-up on cases of refugees with special protection needs;
* Assisting with durable solutions reviews of and recommendations for refugees’ cases;
* Assisting with legal review of individual refugee claims;
* Assisting with identification of refugees with special needs and profiling exercises;
* Occasionally undertaking field missions to the Tongogara Refugee Camp;
* Assisting the office with training for beneficiaries, authorities and partners on Refugee Law, Human Rights, Resettlement and other related topics;
* Assisting with IDP issues as required and
* Performing other duties as may be required by the Office.

Qualifications

Required:

* A university degree in Law, Human Rights, Forced Migration/Refugee studies or other related field, including social sciences.
* A basic working knowledge of Refugee law;
* Fluency in spoken and written English, including excellent English-language writing skills;
* The adaptability to work in an international and multicultural environment;
* The ability to work with vulnerable and victimized individuals;
* The ability to act professionally and to deal with confidential and sensitive information; and
* The availability to work in Zimbabwe for a minimum of three (3) months.

Desired:

* Advanced degree in a relevant field;
* Work experience with refugees and/or IDPs;
* Knowledge of French, Swahili, or languages from the Great Lakes Region and local Zimbabwean languages.
* Female candidates are encouraged to apply

To Apply: Please send an updated CV, a current writing sample (maximum 5 pages), and a cover letter stating your reasons for applying for the internship to DAUN [at] unhcr [dot] org

Please note that only complete applications will be considered and only candidate(s) selected for interviews will be contacted.

Deadline: The deadline for applications is 21 September 2011. No applications after this date will be considered.

Call for Small Grant Applications: Zimbabwe Media Access and Professionalism Program

IREX is an international non-profit organization providing leadership and innovative programs to improve the quality of education, strengthen independent media, and foster pluralistic civil society development.

Founded in 1968, IREX has an annual portfolio of over $60 million and a staff of 500 professionals worldwide. IREX and its partner IREX Europe deliver crosscutting programs and consulting expertise in more than 100 countries.

IREX is re-opening a grant competition for small grants to projects supporting media access and professionalism in Zimbabwe. Projects and activities eligible for consideration should fall under one or more of the following categories:

-    Journalism Training: Supporting the professional development of independent journalists
-    Alternative Media: Developing or expanding alternative or new media approaches to gathering and distributing news and information to underserved audiences
-    Media Management: Improving the capacity of media professionals to manage small and medium traditional and alternative media operations
-    Content Production and Distribution: Development of relevant and informative news and information to audiences with limited access to professional media
-    Media Law, Rights and Advocacy: Efforts to reform media laws and regulations, improve implementation of laws or regulations, support journalists, educate journalists and citizens on media law.

IREX anticipates awards ranging from $2,500 to $20,000. Applicants interested in smaller or larger grants should contact IREX before completing an application. Applicants may request training or consulting from IREX or other sources as a component of the grant. Grants should run for up to six months.

This grants program employs a two-part process. First, interested applicants should submit a statement of interest and illustrative budget, according to the guidelines on the following pages. From the statement of interest, IREX will select a limited number of projects and request a completed application.

Grants will be awarded on a rolling basis until funds are expended. Questions regarding this grant application should be submitted to ZMAPPgrants [at] irex [dot] org

Eligibility Criteria:
-    Applicants must be legally registered entities.
-    Zimbabwean organizations are strongly encouraged to be the prime applicant. Partnerships with other organizations are acceptable.
-    Project activities must fall under the topics described above.

Evaluation Criteria for Applications
These criteria are intended to serve as the standard against which all applications will be evaluated. The following criteria are listed in descending order of importance:

-    Ability of project to improve the media environment in Zimbabwe
-    Capacity of applicant to carry out proposed project in personnel, equipment, and experience
-    Efficient use of sub grant resources
-    Ability to leverage other funds to multiply impact

This request for grant application does not commit IREX to pay any costs incurred in the preparation of a grant application not funded or contract for the services or supplies described herein. IREX reserves the right to reject any or all applications received.

Please return the grant application and address all inquiries to: ZMAPPgrants [at] irex [dot] org

In the office there are so many thing that we throw away everyday, without batting an eyelash. Lots of paper, boxes and other office waste are tossed in the trash without an attempt to reuse or recycle. I want to put an end to this mindless wastage and challenge you all!

Maybe you’re an environmental warrior, green artist, engineer or an artist in a creative rut, struggling for inspiration for you next masterpiece? Whoever you are I challenge you to find a creative, innovative and lasting use for these empty CD cases.

I have taken some of the plastic lids home in a bid to reduce the waste. I made a few small holes in the bottom of the lids, turned them over, and am now using them as seedbeds for my flower and vegetable seedlings in the garden. My 3-year-old son – with a little inspiration from his mum – has also started his own mini-garden using the lids. But this is just me … an “unartistic”, “uncreative” person. I’m sure all the colourful, creative-geniuses in our local artistic community will come up with something even better, and more interesting.

So go on … get creative … go green. I DARE YOU!