Deadline: May 22, 2019
Thomson Reuters Foundation works with journalists to show how rural development is a story that matters to everyone, spanning science, climate change, business, politics and social innovation.
Event Dates: 18 June — 21 June, 2019
We equip reporters with the skills to tell the story of rural development to news consumers in their own countries. It is in these countries that climate change impacts have been felt strongest, and yet most policy makers and ordinary people do not know about it.
But it is also in these countries where exciting and broad-ranging solutions are being developed. Areas such as access to credit or insurance, new collective farming initiatives and innovative crop enhancements are just some of the developments that often go under the radar of mainstream media.
Although an estimated 75 per cent of the world’s poorest people live outside urban centres, the story of rural poverty, and the issues facing farmers in these areas, are chronically under-reported. Perceived to have few day-to-day developments on which to base a news story, their struggles can seem irrelevant or inconsequential to media consumers in rapidly urbanising communities.
In order to ensure the daily issues faced by rural poor people and their communities are acknowledged, it is vital that their stories are heard and their voices are amplified. With funding from the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), the specialised UN agency, we will bring together journalists from across West and Eastern Africa to attend this workshop that will help to enable journalists to better tell the story of rural development. The course will build expertise and increase familiarity and knowledge of issues faced by rural communities, help journalists to present new viewpoints, promote discussion and dialogue on how small-scale agriculture can respond to the growing demand for food and on the essential need to support rural transformation and smallholder agriculture.
Journalists will have the opportunity to attend visit sites in the field, meet subject matter experts, and rural development stakeholders.
We expect all journalists who are selected to attend to pursue stories along these issues in their home countries after the workshop with the assistance of TRF mentors.
Eligibility:
- Applicants must be full-time journalists or regular contributors to a media organisation.
- Applicants must be able to demonstrate a commitment to a career in journalism in their country, and should have at least two years’ professional experience.
- The workshop will be billingual English and French. You must be fluent in one of these.
- We would also like to see professional evidence of your interest in the field of rural peoples’ issues and development
Funding:
- Thomson Reuters Foundation, through IFAD funding and support, offers full bursaries for journalists from African countries working for established media organisations.
- Bursaries would include air travel expenses (economy class), accommodation, local transfers and meals.
- Please note that you need to check visa requirements and ensure you have the necessary documentation required.
- The cost of your visa and any other related costs will be the responsibility of the participant.
- This arrangement is subject to variation.
