Applicants must reside in a developing region (Africa, Asia, Eastern Europe, Latin America, the Caribbean, or the Middle East).
The Population Reference Bureau is once again inviting applications to its Women's Edition program. Launched in 1993, Women's Edition brings together senior-level women journalists—editors, reporters, and producers—from developing countries to examine important topics related to women's reproductive health and development.
Women's Edition offers a unique opportunity to become part of an international network of leading women journalists interested in women's health and development. Up to 15 women journalists will be selected to participate for two years in the program. During that time, PRB will organize four weeklong seminars and study tours in venues around the world. Journalists will engage in sessions with health and development experts, editorial meetings to develop strategies for covering these issues, Internet research training, and study tours to see innovative programs in action. Women's Edition is funded by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID).
Seminars and Study Tours
PRB will host the first seminar in Washington, D.C., December 6-10, 2010. It will cover basic population and reproductive health issues, including family planning and obstacles to women's reproductive health. The three other seminars, spaced about six months apart, will be held in different locations, depending on the topic being explored. The purpose of these seminars and study tours is to provide journalists with information on reproductive health issues as well as to let them explore how other countries are dealing with the challenges these issues present.
What Is Required?
After each seminar, Women's Edition journalists must produce an in-depth special report, series of stories, or broadcast program on the seminar topic for their own media house. As part of their application, journalists must propose a reporting project that they will complete (through their own reporting or supervising other reporters) between the first and second seminars.
Who Should Apply?
Intrepid women journalists who:
* Hold influential editorial positions—senior-level editors, reporters, and producers—with leading media outlets that have large audiences, such as national and regional newspapers, magazines, and television and radio stations; freelancers can apply but must provide a letter of support from a news organization indicating that it will publish or broadcast the freelancer's work.
* Reside in a developing region (Africa, Asia, Eastern Europe, Latin America, the Caribbean, or the Middle East).
* Demonstrate interest in women's health, development, and population issues and a commitment to covering these topics.
* Can communicate comfortably and effectively in English during the seminars, though they may write or broadcast in any language.
Funding
PRB can cover travel and seminar expenses for participants from countries where USAID has family planning programs. For a list of those countries, go to: www.usaid.gov/our_work/global_health/pop/countries/index.html. Interested journalists from developing countries where USAID does not have family planning programs must seek full funding from other sources for all network-related expenses, including travel and accommodation. Funding can come from their home organizations or from national or international agencies.
Deadline
Applications must be received at PRB by Oct. 11, 2010. Participants will be notified by Oct. 15, 2010. Those selected will be asked to submit a letter from their managing editor or director in support of their participation in Women's Edition and the reporting project they propose. Participation includes commitments to:
* Participate in the seminars.
* Publish or produce at least one special report, series of articles, or broadcast program after each seminar on the issues explored in the seminar.
* Send to PRB copies of each supplement, series of articles, or broadcast program immediately after its publication or broadcast.
How to Apply
Click here for the application form. To be considered, applicants must submit all of the information requested. Applications can be mailed to: Deborah Mesce, Women's Edition Coordinator, Population Reference Bureau, 1875 Connecticut Ave., NW, Suite 520, Washington, DC, 20009, USA, or faxed to 202-328-3937, or sent by e-mail to dmesce@prb.org, with Women's Edition in the subject line.
More information here.
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