The lecture series opens at 2 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 9, in Bentley Hall 233 with "Up from the Grassroots: How Community Based Orphan Care Becomes National Policy," a talk by Kristen Cheney, a Fulbright scholar and assistant professor of anthropology from the University of Dayton. Cheney has conducted fieldwork with children in Uganda, including child soldiers and AIDS orphans. Her book "Pillars of the Nation" looks broadly at the social intersections of childhood and nationhood. Cheney's lecture is co-sponsored by the Ohio University Anthropology Club.

"We are excited to highlight the impressive work of the IAC community by highlighting a best practices approach," said Andria Sherrow, assistant director of the Institute for the African Child. "We want to focus on what is actually working for children in Africa with Ohio University and the local and international community."

"What's Working for Kids in Africa" will feature one lecture per quarter. Winter quarter's theme will be sport and youth development, and during spring quarter the theme will be maternal-child health.

Each lecture provides an opportunity for students and faculty at Ohio University to network with other Africanists, learn about children and childhood issues in Africa and focus on the cutting edge practices that are making an impact in children's lives.

Visit the Insitute for the African Child Web site at www.afrchild.ohio.edu for series updates.