In celebration of its 20th anniversary (Dubbed AU20), the African Union is hosting a residency programme under the AU20 project for established writers from across Africa to produce a piece of work that celebrates the unity and potential of the African continent.
The celebrations are taking place under the theme “Our Africa, Our Future” and will focus on the AU’s initiatives, successes, impact, challenges and the way forward.
Geeky Nigeria reports that The African Union (AU) is a continental body consisting of the 55 member states that make up the countries of the African Continent. It was officially launched in 2002 as a successor to the Organisation of African Unity (OAU, 1963-1999).
As part of events to mark 20 years commemoration, AU partnered with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), to host a residency programme under the AU20 project for established writers from across Africa to produce a piece of work that celebrates the unity and potential of the African continent.
According to AU, The writers residency will take the form of a hybrid programme, with two online meetings in November 2022 and a two-week physical residency at the Library of Africa and African Diaspora (LOATAD) in Accra, Ghana from 14 to 28 November 2022. The residency will culminate in a public event in Accra to showcase and discuss the written work.
Catering to the theme “Our Africa, Our Future”, five writers from the continent will be tasked to interpret the theme in a broad and expansive way across a selected genre, including fiction, narrative non-fiction and poetry. The work will be published in an e-book anthology to be released in early 2023.
The AU20 project aims to elevate the profile of the AU in the minds of Africans, particularly the creative community, and better connect the AU to African citizens.
For the programme, writers must be willing to commit to the entirety of the residency programme i.e. both digital (3 & 7 November) and physical (14-28 November) sessions.
Writers must be able to Produce a piece of writing between 5,000 and 7,000 words (or five poems for poets) on the theme “Our Africa, Our Future” for publication in the e-book anthology; In addition, prepare a 500-word summary to promote the piece(s), for inclusion in the African Union’s flagship magazine, the AU ECHO.
They should also be able to Participate in the public event at the end of the residency, photography and videography of the creation process, and any publicity that may arise from the programme.
Note that application deadline is September 30, 2022.
For more information, and to learn of eligibility and application – Visit the official AU20 page
