Washington, D.C.-ONE and Malaria No More announced today they are accepting applications for the first-ever “Malaria Griots” program, a dynamic education course that will train and educate participants to become leaders in the fight against malaria.

“In the West African tradition, a Griot is a storyteller, a community spokesperson and an agent of cultural change,” said ONE President and CEO David Lane. “We want to empower people to become Malaria Griots to help tell political leaders and the public that we can beat this disease once and for all.”

“Malaria Griots will be on the front lines of the battle to end malaria, accessing the latest information direct from the field and the halls of government,” said Malaria No More CEO Scott Case. “As policy experts armed with advanced advocacy skills, Griots will be empowered to mobilize their communities to help make malaria no more.”

Selected participants in the Malaria Griot program will kick-off their experience with an exclusively designed online course. This intensive five-month course will include live discussions with leading malaria experts, access to cutting-edge articles and video, as well as the opportunity to participate in current malaria campaigns.  Participants will witness stories of Africans fighting to overcome the disease and speak directly with advocates on the ground in Africa. Beyond being immersed in the latest information on malaria policy and global health legislation, Griots will also learn how to be effective communicators with the media and be advocates in their communities.

The project has been undertaken by Malaria No More and ONE, with financial and expertise support from the Masie Center’s Learning CONSORTIUM (http://www.masie.com/) of Saratoga Springs, NY on methods of distance and online learning. Blackboard Inc. also donated their ProSites^TM platform, (http://www.blackboardprosites.com/). The ProSites will house curricula, modules, discussion boards and assignments for the program.

“We are honored to be working with ONE and Malaria No More on this groundbreaking approach to developing advocates and leaders on a key global issue,” said Elliott Masie from The MASIE Center. “This is a unique use of online learning and social media to educate, train and certify high-level volunteers. The in-depth content rigor and collaborative learning amongst our ‘Griot’ candidates will be an exciting step forward on the malaria issue.”

“Over the course of a year, we work with thousands of organizations to enhance their learning and development capabilities, yet rarely do we get the opportunity to partner in an effort to help impact the quality of life of millions of people,” said Tim Hill, President of Blackboard Professional Education. “We are honored to be a small part of the ONE and Malaria No More’s efforts leveraging education and technology to empower advocates to take a greater and more informed role in fighting malaria and saving lives.”

The course will run from February to June 2010. Successful applicants will have public speaking and persuasive communications skills, familiarity with social media, video and computer technology, and interest in global health and advocacy.

All interested candidates can learn more at www.ONE.org/griot. The deadline for applications is Jan. 22.

ONE is a global advocacy and campaigning organization backed by more than two million people from around the world dedicated to fighting extreme poverty and preventable disease, particularly in Africa. For more information please visit www.ONE.org.

Malaria No More is a non-profit, non-governmental organization making high-yield investments of time and capital to speed progress, unlock resources, mobilize new assets and spur the world toward reaching the goal of ending malaria deaths. Find out how you can help us reach our deadline and make malaria no more at www.MalariaNoMore.org.

Press Contacts

ONE:                        Stephen Wilson, [email protected], 202.495.2772      

Malaria No More:      Jonathan Shradar, [email protected], 202.654.2693