In the wake of the Zimbabwe International Book Fair, Chris Kabwato asks how one can speak of book publishing in an environment where a crumbling regime is beating up the opposition and creating a situation where only the banking and financial sectors can thrive.

Two Zimbabwean sculptors, Clifford Guwu and Tanyanyiwa Chipfunde, believe imparting their knowledge to youngsters is the only way they can help build a vibrant arts industry in their country.

During Mobutu Sese Seko's 30 years as president of Zaire (now the Congo), he managed to plunder his nation's economy and live a life of excess unparalleled in modern history. Wrong's aim is to understand all of the reasons behind the economic disintegration of the most mineral-rich country on the African continent; in so doing, she turns over the mammoth rock that was Mobutu and finds a seething underworld of parasites with names like the CIA, the World Bank and the IMF, the French and Belgian governments, mercenaries, and a host of fat cats who benefited from Mobutu's largesse and even exceeded his rapaciousness. HarperCollins; ISBN: 0060188804, 2001.

"This is a book about evil." With these words, Berkeley launches into a gripping exploration of some of the worst African atrocities of the past 20 years, which he has covered as a journalist for the Atlantic Monthly and other publications. Berkeley argues that the violence that has permeated these societies is born of the same evil that motivated Hitler to kill six million Jews: racially and ethnically based tyranny, which, he says, is the result of Western colonization, not "age-old" hatreds. Basic Books ISBN: 0465006418, 2001.

While diamonds are promoted as the latest 'must have' in the world of high fashion, the international diamond industry meet with governments and civil society groups in London next week to discuss the trade in conflict diamonds - diamond sales that fuel war and atrocity in Africa but adorn the bodies of the rich and beautiful in the western world.

A new volunteer organization promoting a spectacular Music and Arts Festival of the black people that will benefit needy children, has been launched. The touring festival, which will travel to various places annually, benefits nonprofit and non-governmental organizations active in providing residential services and therapeutic foster care for abandoned, abused and neglected children in black communities.

The Durban-based Artists for Human Rights is exhibiting a selection of works by its South African and international artists in 'Denial and Revelation'. The exhibition will be at the Menzi Gallery, BAT Centre, from 27 August - 8 September to coincide with the World Conference on Racism. The public is invited to the official opening of the exhibition on the 29 August at 6.30 pm for 7.00 pm.

Can NGOs benefit from talking to the 'enemy' or private corporations? What could they achieve by engaging with the private sector? Would it benefit their cause or is it a waste of time pursuing their agendas through the market?

Globalvision announces a new video tribute to a young hero of the AIDS crisis, 12 year old Nkosi Johnson, a voice of Africa's Aids orphans who died tragically last month. This impactful video is ideal for aids education outreach and building public awareness and links Nkosi's struggle to the still largely under-exposed AIDS orphans crisis. Globalvision urges everyone working against AIDS including educators, doctors, community groups, and NGO’s to arrange screenings to inspire hope, mobilize awareness and promote active concern. Contact: Danny Schechter

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Titled "Planning for Leadership Transition," this edition of Management Sciences for Health (MSH)'s award-winning publication - The Manager -considers strategy and process for managing a leadership transition and developing leadership capacity among staff at all levels.

Afework Tekle and Tebebe Yemane Brehan, received the most prestigious awards at St. John's College Cambridge University from the President of the American Biographical Institute (ABI) and from the Director General of International Biographical Center (IBC) at the 28th International Congress on Arts and communications, England held from 15th - 22nd July 2001.

Lettre d'information 30/2001
semaine du 28.07.01 au 05.08.01

This wall promotes children's rights. It was created by children in South Africa. If you want to know how they did it, or how you might do something similar in your community, follow this link.

This book is one of the few Arabic publications that deals exclusively with the International Criminal Court (ICC) and its legal system. It addresses many sensitive legal issues relating to the ratification process of the ICC Statute, as well as the implementation of international criminal law norms throughout the Arab world.

Lettre d'information 29/2001
semaine du 20.07.01 au 29.07.01

Development, State and Society is a nuanced overview of economic thought, political formations and social issues applied to Africa. In this thought-provoking book, Seyoum Hameso argues that the promise of development was taken to heart by millions throughout the world. After half a century of "development," it remains unfulfilled for millions in Africa. The swollen bodies of children, emaciated faces of women, a relentless scourge of conflicts that have become a way of life, all point to a continent ill at ease with itself and less at ease with its external engagement. All this indicate that there is a pressing need for the redefinition of the existing approaches and practices with a view to help chart alternative development. Our price: $25.95. Format: Paperback. Size: 6 x 9. Pages: 448. ISBN: 0-595-18810-9. Publication Date: Jun-2001

Here's the debut issue of "Echoes of Africa" - your new monthly magazine from the Life in Africa Foundation. We hope you enjoy your first adventure through Africa with us.

The 10th session of the "Journées Théâtrales de Carthage" will take place from the 18th to the 27th October 2001. With a focus on contemporary creation, this new session whose theme is Mythologies will be an opportunity to discover international mainstream theatre works and modern authors representing new trends in melting arts and cultures. Through its different performances and activities, this new session aims to underline the importance of theatre as a witness for the times.