Third Edition Emerging Technologies Media Award of Excellence: Call for Entries
Through the Platform for Dialogue and Action on Health Technologies in Africa (Health Tech Platform), the African Institute for Development Policy (AFIDEP) and the African Union Development Agency (AUDA-NEPAD) announce a call for entries for the third edition of the Emerging Technologies Media Award of Excellence. The Emerging Technologies Media Award (ETMA) is an annual recognition of journalists at the forefront of reporting of African-led technologies and innovations to achieve the continent’s socioeconomic transformation.
Objectives
Science, technology and innovation (STI) across critical sectors such as agriculture, energy, environment, health, infrastructure and water form the basis towards accelerating progress towards the realisation of 7 Aspirations of the African Union Agenda 2063 – The Africa We Want:
- A prosperous Africa, based on inclusive growth and sustainable development
- An integrated continent, politically united and based on the ideals of Pan-Africanism and the vision of Africa’s Renaissance
- An Africa of good governance, democracy, respect for human rights, justice and the rule of law
- A peaceful and secure Africa
- An Africa with a strong cultural identity, common heritage, shared values and ethics
- An Africa, whose development is people-driven, relying on the potential of African people, especially its women and youth, and caring for children.
- Africa as a strong, united, resilient and influential global player and partner.
The Emerging Technologies Media Award aims to promote reporting of technologies and innovations being developed by and for use towards the achievement of the continent’s aspirations, as well as to raise public awareness, understanding, participation, and local ownership of these technologies and innovations.
This edition will focus on innovations at the nexus of water, food and energy. Journalists are invited to submit stories focusing on one or more aspects of this nexus.
Eligibility
The Emerging Technologies Media Award is open to published and broadcasted works in print, radio, television, and online media.
Only African journalists publishing in African-led media houses are eligible for the competition. The competition is open to individual journalists and not media institutions or organisations. We will not accept institutionally commissioned pieces.
The period of publication/broadcast of entries is from 1 January 2024 to 31 December 2024.
The entries should address issues related to the development and use of emerging technologies in Africa for water, food and energy security, such as ongoing research, regulatory frameworks, community participation, public awareness and understanding, involvement of African scientists, equity and benefit sharing. The issues may be applicable to one African country or be regional in scope.
Languages
All entries are required to be in English or French. Stories done in local languages should be translated, and the original language indicated.
Categories
Individuals may submit only one entry to be eligible for the award.
The categories are as follows:
- Print journalism: Feature/article between 700 and 1,500 words published in a newspaper or magazine.
- Radio journalism: Reports between 3 and 6 minutes long. This can include podcasts and reports on online-only media platforms.
- Television journalism: Reports between 3 and 6 minutes long. This can include audiovisual content on online-only media platforms.
- Online media: Feature/article between 700 and 1,500 words on online-only media platforms.
Each submission should include a one-page summary on the impact of the story, including feedback from its intended audience.
Journalists are encouraged to submit entries by sharing:
- Link to the published article/programme for online entries
- PDF attachment for entries in the Print Category
- Copies of the TV or radio files, stating the date and time programme aired
- Copy of identification
- Submitted files should not exceed 15MB
- Entries should be submitted to the AFIDEP secretariat at htp@afidep.org. Please note that communication with the organisers is in English.
The closing date for entries is Friday, 10 January 2025.
Selection
An independent judging committee will select the best works based on the latest scientific evidence, initiative, originality, clarity of interpretation, and value in fostering a better public understanding of emerging technologies.
Respects for Copyrights
All works submitted must be original and in conformity with copyright requirements.
Prizes
- Grand Prize: USD5,000
- Print Category: USD2,500; Runner-up USD1, 000
- Radio Category: USD2,500; Runner-up USD1,000
- Television Category: USD2,500; Runner-up USD1,000
- Online Category: USD2,500; Runner-up USD1,000
The winners will be announced by May 2025.