Simuka Africa Briefing: June 5, 2026
Hello, All:
Welcome to the final month of your Q2 Volunteer Service with SimukaAfrica.org! This quarter has had its fair share of challenges, but we have continued to provide outstanding virtual engagement for those we serve. Thank you!!
Please note:
M. has been preparing to attend the The World Bank Fragility Forum 2026. She will respond to inquiries as she is able. We are also still scheduling all recently submitted content and closing 2 Open Calls. Thank you for your patience.
Date Correction: The last Simuka Africa Briefing for Q2 is scheduled for June 12th. The rest of June will consist of offboarding Q2 Staff and onboarding volunteers for Q3 Service.
The final Q2 Creative Career Focus Meeting is on June 13th, which will discuss Q3 Volunteer Service and UN Volunteers Platform Registration. Register for it here. After creating an account, click on “Organizations,” then “34 Gallery” to see our meeting list.
Questions or concerns? Simply reply to this email briefing to get a response through our new ButtonDown inbox.
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🚩 Humanitarian Crisis Notification 🚩
Be advised: Multiple regions continue to be impacted by the current geopolitical conflicts and inclement weather (severe storms and drought). Additional changes and restrictions have been implemented due to the Ebola Outbreak. If you are impacted, update us as you can.
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The July Social Media Calendar
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I. Special Promotion: Want to expand your art portfolio and reach? Explore our partner platform, WebbieSocial.com! Get a discount off Webbie+ with discount code: 34Gallery
II. Critical Notices:
It takes very little to help save a life. Some of the artists we feature on social media are in mental health crisis. One artist is by the bedside of a terminally ill relative. We also have two artists with a terminal health diagnosis. They need support. If you have connectivity, like the posts.
III. May Publication Stats:
Open Calls Closed: 2
Artwork Submissions: 102
Graphics: 63
Simuka Africa Journal Articles: 8
34 Gallery Interlude Articles: 8
Thank you!!
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Additional Needed Content
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Please note: If any Q2 staff member has time in their schedule to complete articles, social media graphics or video on any of the following, email us:
SDG 3: Self Doubt
SDG 3: Building Confidence
SDG 4: How Education shaped your career path
SDG 4: How Mentors shaped your career path
SDG 8: Future Planning (retirement, 2nd career)
SDG 8: Finance Planning & Advice for Youth
Can’t make the deadline? Things happen. Just notify us!
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The United Nations System: An Introduction
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Global Updates, I: The WTO organised the Trade and Environment Week 2026 from 1–5 June 2026 at the WTO Headquarters in Geneva and online.
Global Update, II: The 114th International Labour Conference convened in Geneva from 1–12 June 2026, bringing together governments, employers, and workers from ILO member states.
Global Update, III: Today is World Environment Day.
“Status Quo Untenable”: Secretary-General’s Update on UN80 Initiative
The UN General Assembly (UNGA) has elected Khalilur Rahman, Foreign Minister of Bangladesh, to serve as President of its 81st session.
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United Nations Employment
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The UNESCO-Al Fozan International Prize 2026 is now accepting applications and nominations for exceptional young STEM leaders worldwide.
IGAD Digital Trade Training & Mentorship Programme 2026 (Women & Youth Entrepreneurs) - DEADLINE June 13
The UNAOC Young Peacebuilders Programme 2026 is now accepting applications from youth in South Caucasus and Central Asia. This prestigious UN-backed programme equips young changemakers with the skills, networks, and mentorship needed to foster peace and strengthen their communities.
Applications are now open for the UNOPS Sustainable Energy for All (SEforALL) STEM Trainee Programme 2026 — an exciting opportunity for young women in Nigeria passionate about renewable energy, climate finance, STEM, and sustainable development.
UNU-WIDER & African Union Winter School 2026 - DEADLINE JUNE 7
UNU-WIDER is looking for research assistants to build and expand the tax administrative and other microdata available at the National Treasury – Secure Data Facility (NT-SDF) in Pretoria. - DEADLINE JUNE 9
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A.I. Policy, News & Jobs
I. Be Advised: Our expanded Simuka Africa A.I. Organizational Policy can be found here. The following listings consist of A.I. / Tech News, Training, Creative Jobs & Opportunities:
Wired: Welcome Valued Employee - the A.I. reality told with humor
Cybersecurity: The Himanshu Anandhu Blog
The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) has launched the AI Policy Toolkit, a practical guide intended to help governments translate AI principles into policy action.
AI for Good: Open mic consultation session to the AI Summit Geneva 2027
India and South Africa have agreed to strengthen bilateral cooperation in emerging technologies, with AI, digital infrastructure and advanced manufacturing identified as key areas for future collaboration.
Free Internet Safety Course: Digital Footprints by The Internet Society
Low Fee-Training: Coursera Course: AI For Good Certification
Low- Fee Training: Coursera Course: Google AI Professional Certificate
Applications are open for Horizon’s AI Policy Career Accelerator which is a 9-month, part-time remote program to support individuals seeking to build or transition into careers in AI policy.
Anthropic Fellows Program 2026 (Paid AI Fellowship + Mentorship)
MATS Research Fellowship 2026 (AI Alignment, Stipend, Housing & Mentorship) - DEADLINE JUNE 7
EleutherAI Summer of Open AI Research 2026 (Online AI Research Mentorship) - DEADLINE JUNE 8
IGAD Gender-Sensitive Digital Trade Training & Mentorship 2026
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Opportunities
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I. Career Tip: “Can Work Make You Happy? Should It?” by Harvard Business Review
II. Career Tip, II: “Fighting Workaholism: You Are Not a Success Machine” by Harvard Business Review
Conferences
World Water Week Registration (Attend as a Simuka Africa Representative & write about it - free virtual attendance)
Career Opportunities
Idealist.org: Remote Positions - updated
80000 Hours Job Board - updated
482 Jobs (Australia) - updated
The Earthna Prize honors and promotes the important role of the knowledge passed down through generations in addressing the pressing environmental issues of our time.
The Future Generation Art Prize is a biannual global contemporary art prize to discover, recognize and give long-term support to a future generation of artists.
The AXS Film Fund is inviting applications to support creators working on documentary films and nonfiction new media projects, with a particular focus on individuals who identify as living with a disability and those from underserved communities.
The International Vaccine Institute is inviting global participants to submit entries for the 4th International Photo Contest 2026, a photography competition aimed at showcasing visual stories related to vaccines and global health.
The Global Good Fund is inviting applications for its Fellowship 2027, a leadership development program designed to support social entrepreneurs and leaders working to address pressing social and environmental challenges around the world.
Future 100 Growth Fund Mentor Registration (Supporting Black Founders in the UK)
VentureWell Ocean Enterprise Accelerator 2026 (Funding, Mentorship & Commercialization Support)
The World Around Young Climate Prize 2026 (Mentorship, Fellowship & Global Summit)
The European Central Bank (ECB) is hiring Research Analysts in Germany, offering a prestigious opportunity to work at one of the world's most influential financial institutions while earning a competitive salary and gaining exposure to high-level policymaking.
Karolinska Institutet is recruiting 21 Assistant Professors in medicine, health sciences, public health, and biomedical research, offering outstanding early-career researchers the opportunity to build independent research careers at one of the world’s leading medical universities.
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Food For Thought
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Lastly, June is Men’s Mental Health Awareness Month. If you or someone you know is experiencing mental health distress, try the following resources to get started in addressing it:
This CBT triangle worksheet to breaks down an emotional experience into parts that can be understood.
This Cognitive Restructuring worksheet can help interrupt and change negative thought patterns that contribute to distressing feelings.
This Clarifying Priorities DBT Worksheet assists with clarify regarding goals, interpersonal problem, & effective skills.
Remember: Being the strong silent type only works until it doesn’t. Take time to reach out and connect with others for better mental health.
Take some time this weekend to explore something new. ❤️
-The Simuka Africa Team
