Africa Writes 2015 – Call for Volunteers (deadline Monday!)

By Africa in Words on 29 April , 2015 • ( 0 )

The Royal African Society is looking for volunteers with a passion for African literature to help run Africa Writes, which returns for its fourth year running!

About us

Africa Writes is an annual festival organised by the Royal African Society, which aims to promote contemporary African writing and writers as well as to explore Africa’s long literary past and its future. Every year Africa Writes showcases established and emerging literary talent from Africa and the Diaspora. Africa Writes 2015 will include two headline events: African Books to Inspire, an evening of discussion led by a selection of writers and personalities as they share and discuss their favourite titles of African literature and Meditations on Greatness: Ben Okri in conversation in which the Booker prize-winning author will discuss his vast selection of literary work. There will also be an exciting programme of free book launches, readings, talks, panel discussions, performances, children and young people’s workshops, family activities, and an international book fair.

The Royal African Society is a membership organisation that fosters a better understanding of Africa in the UK and throughout the world. Our goal is to promote Africa globally in the spheres of business, politics, academia, arts and culture. We disseminate knowledge and insight to make a positive difference to Africa’s development and celebrate the diversity and depth of African cultures.

Volunteering for Africa Writes 2015

As an Africa Writes 2015 volunteer you will be required to take on the following tasks and responsibilities:

• Pre-festival publicity; flyering in locations around London
• Meeting and greeting Festival guests and attendees
• Point of contact for Festival queries from the public
• Event registration and ushering
• Distributing and collecting monitoring & evaluation forms
• Arrangement of Festival brochures and merchandise on the Africa Writes info stand
• Management of speakers’ refreshments
• Encourage sales of Africa Writes merchandise
• Mic running during Q&A sessions
• Live tweeting and updating social media
• Any other duties as required

Your availability: You will be required to commit to a minimum of 2 shifts throughout the Festival period, from 3 to 5 July, and requested to attend additional shifts to assist with flyering throughout June. Shifts will be approximately 6-8 hours in length during the weekend of the festival.

If you would like to volunteer please send a covering letter and CV to ras_events@soas.ac.uk, by Monday 4 May. If you have any questions please don’t hesitate to get in touch at the above email address or contact Shushan Tewolde-Berhan on 0203 073 8319.