Application Deadline: April 30 2013
The Programme provides journalists with an opportunity to gain first hand experience in the work of the United Nations. It is also an opportunity to meet journalists from other countries and exchange ideas with UN communication professionals.
Upon completion of the Programme, participants are expected to continue working in journalism or broadcasting and help promote better understanding of the United Nations in their home country.
“Reham AlFarra Memorial Journalists’ Fellowship Programme” to honour Ms. Reham Al-Farra, a young UN staff member killed in the bombing of the UN Headquarters in Baghdad. The Programme is sponsored annually since 1981 by the United Nations Department of Public Information as a fellowship programme for junior and mid-level broadcasters and journalists from developing countries and countries with economies in transition. It is held at UN Headquarters in New York and since 2012, its last week continues in Geneva. As of 2012, 510 journalists and broadcasters from 165 countries have taken part in the Programme.
The Programme is not intended to provide basic skills training to broadcasters and journalists as
all participants are already working as media professionals. The Programme also does not lead to employment by the UN.
This year, the Fellowship is open to journalists and broadcasters from 20 countries with the intention of selecting 11 candidates, each one from a different country.
Eligible candidates not selected will be invited to participate in new social media discussion
groups and receive training materials electronically. Qualified candidates from countries not selected will be encouraged to apply again in 2014.
ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS
Candidates must be nationals of one of the following countries and must meet all the following requirements:
Afghanistan, Azerbaijan, Brunei Darussalam, Central African Republic, Democratic Peoples Republic of Korea, Djibouti, Dominica, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Grenada, GuineaBissau, Iraq, Kuwait, Nicaragua, Paraguay, Poland, Qatar, Sierra Leone, Turkmenistan and The Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia
• Age between 22 and 35.
• Currently employed by a recognized media organization. Freelancers, translators and UN
employees are not eligible.
• Oral and written fluency in English.
• Several years of professional journalism experience and proven interest in the work of the United Nations.
WORK PROGRAMME
This year’s Programme will start on Tuesday, 3 September in New York and conclude on Friday,4 October 2013 in Geneva.
Participants are expected to:
• Familiarize themselves with the issues before the 68th Session of the UN General Assembly.
• Shadow UN media professionals and participate in hands on activities and workshops.
• Participate in a two-day academic workshop at a university in New York.
• Undertake professional work assignments. Each participant will be required to compile a dossier of news stories or scripts.
• Attend briefings by officials of the UN Secretariat, UN specialized agencies, programmes and funds as well as attend special events.
• Visit major media organizations and relevant NGOs in New York and in Geneva to observe their operations.
WHAT IS PROVIDED BY THE UN?
• Most direct economy single airline ticket from your country to New York, from New York to Geneva and from Geneva back to your country.
• A daily subsistence allowance (DSA) to cover your meals, local transportation and other expenses. The current daily rate for New York is US$ 378.00 and for Geneva is US$ 402.00
• A single-occupancy room for each participant in New York and double occupancy (same sex) room in Geneva. The accommodation cost is deducted from your DSA. In New York, participants may arrange their own accommodation and receive the full DSA. In Geneva, participants are required to spend the last week of the Programme in a hotel reserved by the Programme.
• Upon completion of the Programme requirements and assignments participants will receive a certificate of participation.
PARTICIPANT RESPONSIBILITY AND OTHER REQUIREMENTS
• Once selected, participants will need to obtain visitor visas to the United States and to Switzerland. The travel to the embassies and the cost of the visas are the participants’ responsibility.
• Acquire a health insurance to cover possible medical expenses in United States and in Switzerland.
• Provide a reference letter from current employer, granting leave of absence for the full duration of the Programme and allowing time to execute all assignments and requirements.
• In preparation for the Programme, participants are required to prepare two short Power Point presentations (5-7 minutes each) on topics to be assigned by the Programme Coordinator.
APPLICATION PROCESS
Complete the application form available online at: http://www.un.org/en/media/fellowship/docs/RAF_2
Please submit the application form together with all supporting documents (3 samples (or links) of your work, photocopy of your passport, photocopy of your diploma and a letter from your employer) scanned via e-mail to the contact in your country. A list of country contacts will be available on the Programme’s website.
The deadline for receipt of applications is Tuesday, 30 April 2013. All applicants will be notified of the results in June 2013.