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Updated: Tuesday, November 1, 2005
Published: Friday, September 23, 2005 |
Contact:
NABJ Communications
(866) 479-NABJ
NABJ Media Institute Offers Weeklong, Expense-paid Africa Fellowships to Cover Pivotal Elections in Liberia
Download application
WASHINGTON - The National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ) Media Institute and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) are joining forces to provide fellowships to NABJ members to travel to Liberia on the eve of the West African country's historic national elections on October 11, 2005.
Six current NABJ members with at least five years of experience will be selected for this unique foreign-reporting opportunity by a panel of NABJ members. The fellowship will cover transportation to Liberia, accommodations and meals. Applications are due September 28, 2005.
Almost two years have passed since a comprehensive peace accord ended the conflict that devastated Liberias people and razed to the ground its institutions. Since the end of its 14-year civil war, the country, with the help of the international community, has embarked on a transition aimed at setting it on a course to lasting peace. Liberia is the African nation with the closest historical ties to the U.S., which has played a lead role in peacekeeping and donor contribution efforts there. Some experts believe that Liberia may be the key to stability in the conflict-plagued West Africa region.
The NABJ/UNDP media trip in Liberia will provide participating journalists access to Liberias people and the organizations helping the country through its pivotal elections and transition process. The itinerary will feature visits to project sites managed by a wide range of UN partners, briefings from various officials and interviews with individuals whose personal stories may be of interest to the media. Participants will be able to propose changes to the itinerary and will have the freedom to interview a variety of subjects while on the ground.
Participants will leave the U.S. on Oct. 6. This will allow participating journalists to arrive in Monrovia a few days ahead of the polls and observe voting day and its aftermath. The application deadline is Wednesday, September 28, 2005. Recipients will be notified by Friday, September 30, 2005. If you are interested in this opportunity, please submit the following:
In 300 words or less, explain why you would like to travel to Liberia to cover the elections and what stories you would pursue
A current resume
Letter from a supervisor supporting your application and indicating willingness to use your reports from Liberia
Proof that you hold a valid passport (copy must accompany application)
Proof of health insurance (copy must accompany application)
Complete application
Current NABJ membership
The fellowship to Liberia is made possible through grants to NABJ from the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation and the United Nations Foundation.
An advocacy group established in 1975 in Washington, D.C., NABJ is the largest organization of journalists of color in the nation, with more than 4,100 members, and provides educational, career development and support to black journalists worldwide.
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