The Africa-China Reporting Project at Wits Journalism and Inkyfada based in Tunis invite all journalists from Tunisia, Morocco, Algeria and Libya to submit proposals to attend a journalism training workshop in Tunis during the week of 7 October 2019. The workshop will focus on practical investigative techniques and skills, as well as explore China’s role in Africa and specific North African countries.
The workshop will feature expert trainers assembled by the Africa-China Reporting Project and Inkyfada, and will include training sessions on North African countries’ relations with China, current trends and misunderstandings; multimedia journalism, online tools and resources; data journalism and data visualisation, visual storytelling and audience engagement; and cyber security, among other topics. The workshop will also include engagement with and supervision of specific China-North Africa investigations to be undertaken by the participating journalists after the workshop for which they will receive reporting grants.
Journalists are required to include a specific North Africa-China investigation in their applications; see how to apply and potential investigation topics below.
Background: North Africa and China
The North African region is of great geopolitical and economic importance to China, although cultural and people-to-people interactions are still limited. China’s trade and investment links with the Arab world are far larger than that with sub-Saharan Africa, and North Africa appears more closely connected to China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), a global trans-regional interconnectivity drive.
Similar to the rest of the African continent, China’s trade relations with North African countries are largely characterised by imports of resources and exports of low-value products, in particular manufactured goods but also various consumer goods, weapons and cars. This has prompted concerns about a negative impact on local industries, and in response China has in recent years encouraged investments in manufacturing in North Africa as well as free trade and industrial zones such as Morocco’s Mohamed VI Tangier Tech City and the China-Egypt Suez Economic and Trade Cooperation Zone.
Chinese foreign direct investment (FDI) in North Africa has expanded rapidly in recent years. North African countries have signed up to participate in the BRI, and this is expected to increase their economic links with Europe and sub-Saharan Africa. China has undertaken significant infrastructure projects in North Africa such as the Mohammed VI Bridge in Morocco, the East-West Highway and Africa’s longest railway tunnel in Algeria, and Egypt’s new administrative capital.
Good relations with Arab countries and the revival of Chinese-Muslim friendship via the BRI and nostalgia for the ancient Silk Road are of much value to China, yet cultural relations and public diplomacy are much less developed and elaborate than with Africa-China relations.
How to apply
Applications must be sent to training@inkyfada.com by September 11 2019, and should contain the following (only documents in PDF format will be accepted):
- Applicant CV
- Brief proposal outlining (a) story to be investigated with clear headline; story relevance, significance and expected outcomes, (b) proposed publication/platform, and (c) itemised budget for reporting investigation totalling no more than US$1,500
- List of previously published reporting
Potential investigation topics
- Chinese projects, investments and workers in North Africa and the impact on local communities
- China’s efforts to advance industrialisation and development in North Africa
- Chinese training programmes and skills transfers/job creation in North Africa
- Investigations on whether China’s investments in North Africa are implemented consistently with its commitments expressed in China Arab States Cooperation Forum (CASCF) documents
- The Belt & Road Initiative (BRI) in North Africa and how the region is set to benefit and participate in future
- Chinese anti-corruption and clean governance efforts in North Africa (for example via the Belt & Road Initiative), and any instances of corruption or unlawful activities by individual Chinese companies
- Cultural and people-to-people perceptions and exchanges
- North African students trained in China and application of their skills back in North Africa
- Chinese initiatives and activities to address wildlife poaching and trafficking in North Africa, and any instances of involvement of Chinese individuals
For any queries please contact training@inkyfada.com.
