AfrIPI and ARIPO Launch IP Journalists Award Competition to Promote Intellectual Property Awareness in Africa

The African Regional Intellectual Property Organisation (ARIPO), in collaboration with the EU-funded Intellectual Property Rights & Innovation in Africa (AfrIPI) Project, is proud to announce the launch of the ARIPO Intellectual Property Journalists Award competition, in 2024. This initiative, the first of its kind in Africa, is designed to recognise and reward excellence in journalism that enhances public awareness and understanding of intellectual property rights (IPRs) across the 22 ARIPO Member States.

ARIPO and EU-funded AfrIPI project invite journalists to submit their entries. Applicants will need to demonstrate their past efforts in raising awareness about IPRs on various media. The competition recognises the crucial role of journalists in raising awareness about how important it is to protect intellectual property (IP) and the many advantages in doing so. By rewarding outstanding journalism, ARIPO and EU-funded AfrIPI project aim to encourage high-quality reporting that shapes positive attitudes towards IP and which addresses emerging issues related to IPRs in Africa.

Journalists from the ARIPO Member States are encouraged to submit their print, radio, television, and digital media coverage of IP-related topics through a specially designed online portal. A distinguished panel of experts will conduct the judging process, evaluating submissions based on several criteria. These criteria include the ability to simplify complex IP matters so that it can easily be understood by the public. Applicants also need to demonstrate that they know how to effectively explore the role of IP in everyday life, and that they are able to show how IP and current social and business trends are intrinsically linked.

Applicants should demonstrate a clear understanding of various aspects of IP and articulate them in a manner that is easy to understand. In fact, judges will be looking for entries that break down complex issues into easy-to-understand topics. Additionally, entries should depict how IP impacts individuals and communities, highlighting real-life applications and the benefits to be had.

IPRs play a crucial role in promoting development in Africa. They are key to protecting inventions, innovations, and creative works while boosting economic growth. The continent’s rich and diverse resources offer a vast potential for creativity, and scientific and technological innovation. However, the enforcement of IPRs in Africa faces several challenges, including the need for development agendas, and science, technology, and innovation frameworks. IPRs will help Africa achieve its Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and Agenda 2063.

ARIPO is an inter-governmental organisation that facilitates cooperation among Member States in IP matters. Its mission is to promote creativity and innovation for the socio-economic growth of its Member States through an effective IP system.

AfrIPI is a pan-African project funded and directed by the European Union and co-funded and implemented by the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO) that aims to support our African partners in administering, utilising, protecting and enforcing IPRs across Africa. AfrIPI is aligned with IPR best practices and supports the African Continental Free Trade Area and the African Union’s Agenda 2063.

ARIPO and AfrIPI encourage all eligible journalists to participate in this competition to help raise awareness of IP across Africa. This initiative not only recognises journalistic excellence but also promotes a deeper understanding of IPRs and their importance in driving progress and development.

Applications can be received until 14 September 2024.

For more information and to apply, please visit the ARIPO IP Journalists Award competition portal at https://www.aripo.org/browse/media/IP-Journalist-Awards.