Zoom magazine

Concert & Exhibition: Launch of Zoom Magazine, Jun. 25 2013 @ Goethe Institut

by with No Comment art exhibitsbooksevents

Zoom magazine
Date: June 25, 2013
Venue: Goethe Institut Auditorium
Time: 6 pm
Entry: Free

Zoom Magazine is a platform for the young people of Nairobi. It is designed, written and founded by Usanii Lab, a collective of young creatives from Nairobi Eastlands. The magazine, which is both in English and Sheng, offers a stage for new talents and speaks with a fresh, bold voice about social issues faced by young adults as well as it entertains. Its first issue will be available on this evening.

New upcoming artists who are featured in Zoom Magazine will spice up the launch with their presence as well as with performances. The event will feature a well-known resident DJ, a live concert and a comedy act that will be sure to liven the crowd. Some artworks created by the Usanii Lab creatives will be on display as well, in the form of a mini exhibition.

Usanii Lab is part of the well-known community based photography and film project Shootback from Mathare Youth Sports Association, founded in January 2013.
Updated information: www.usanii-lab.com

Public Lecture: Global Militarism & the Resilience of Women in Africa by Prof. Amina Mama, Jun. 24 2013 @ University of Nairobi

by with No Comment debateevents

Date: June 24, 2013
Venue: 8-4-4 Multi Purpose Hall
Time: from 02:30

The Institute for Development Studies (IDS) and the African Leadership Centre in Nairobi, in collaboration with the African Peace building Network of the Social Science Research Council, will hold a Simulation Seminar and Public Lecture at the University of Nairobi on Monday, June 24th 2013.

The event will from 2.30 pm in the 8-4-4 Multi Purpose Hall. The public Lecture, “Global Militarism and Resilience of Women in Africa”, will be presented by Prof Amina Mama, currently the Director of Women and Gender Studies Programme at the University of California, Davis. She is a widely published scholar-activist, and the founding Editor of Feminist Africa, published by the African Gender Institute in Cape Town.
Prof Mama’s Presentation explores the tension between global investments in militarism and commitments to gender equitable development.

The scholar spent 10 years (1999-2009) leading the establishment of the University of Cape Town’s African Gender Institute as a continental resource dedicated to developing transformative scholarship bringing feminist theory and activism together.

Her publications include Beyond the Masks: Race, Gender and Subjectivity (Routledge 1995), Women’s Studies and Studies of Women in Africa (CODESRIA 1996),Engendering African Social Sciences (co-edited, CODESRIA 1997) and numerous book chapters and journal articles.

Documentary on UoN
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5rIj2vqzoYU]

Event: What future for democracy in Somaliland? Jun. 27 2013 @ BIEA

by with No Comment eventslectures & readingsWorkshop

Date: Thursday 27 June 2013
Venue: BIEA
Time: 2 – 5 pm
Entry: Prior RSVP

Since it declared independence in 1991, Somaliland has worked to develop a system of multi-party democracy. The result is a relatively complex but home-grown set of political arrangements, providing concessions to and incorporating different interest groups.

The most recent test of Somaliland’s commitment to democratic development came on 28 November 2012, when Somalilanders went to the polls to elect local councillors. The elections were monitored by hundreds of local and international observers who described them as largely peaceful and fair.

There is much to be learned from the process to further strengthen the democratisation of Somaliland. The lack of voter registration led to confusion, voter education was rushed, and legal frameworks need to be updated and clarified. While women’s representation increased by 400%, they achieved only ten of the 375 councillor positions.

In April 2013, Saferworld and the Somaliland Non State Actors Forum (SONSAF) released a report by the local election observers – Somalilanders Speak: Lessons from the 2012 local elections. The report provides a synthesis and analysis of civil society organisations’ observations and highlights the ways in which the electoral procedures and democratisation of Somaliland can be further strengthened.

The Rift Valley Institute Nairobi Forum and Saferworld are pleased to invite you on 27 June to a discussion on the lessons learned from the electoral process and on future prospects for democracy in Somaliland.

Venice 2013

Discussion: Kenya’s Participation at the 2013 Venice Biennale, Jun. 20 2013 @ the NEST

by with No Comment debateevents

Venice 2013
Date: June 20, 2013
Venue: the Nest, Jabavu Maisonettes House No. 4
Location: Opposite Kilimani Police Station
Time: from 6 pm
Entry: free

Context
Kenya’s Chinese takeaway in Venice by Frank Whalley

Kenya’s delegation to Venice Biennale – Source venice biennale 2013 official website

Artists: Kivuthi Mbuno, Armando Tanzini, Chrispus Wangombe Wachira, Fan Bo, Luo Ling & Liu Ke, Lu Peng, Li Wei, He Weiming, Chen Wenling, Feng Zhengjie, César Meneghetti
Commissioner: Paola Poponi
Curators: Sandro Orlandi, Paola Poponi
Venue: Caserma Cornoldi, Castello 4142 and San Servolo island

For more information about this event please visit the Facebook event page