Deadline: May of each year
The Department of Public Information (DPI) Training Programme for Broadcasters and Journalists from Developing Countries (the former name of the Programme) was established by the 97th General Assembly Plenary Meeting through resolution 35/201 (paragraph III- 9) adopted in December 1980.
Since it was organised for the first time in 1981, DPI has sponsored the annual fellowship programme for junior and mid-level journalists from developing countries and countries with economies in transition, providing them with an opportunity to learn more about the work of the United Nations (UN).
The participants take part in a programme of briefings at the UN Headquarters in New York on a wide range of UN issues and visit some major media outlets and relevant non-governmental organizations. They also travel to Washington, D.C. for meetings at the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank, and they spend a weekend in Rochester, New York, as guests of American host families to learn more about the United States and the American way of life.
The programme is not intended to provide basic skills training to broadcasters and journalists, as all participants are already working as media professionals. Rather, it exposes participants to the work of the UN and offers them an opportunity to periodically prepare news stories on behalf of their news organizations.
Please note that the programme does not lead to employment by the United Nations. Upon completion of the programme, participants are expected to return to their home countries to continue their work as journalists and to help promote a better understanding of the United Nations and its activities. Upon selection, the United Nations will provide participants with:
* Round-trip economy class tickets to and from New York City by the most direct route.
* Transportation to and from Washington, D.C. and Rochester, New York.
* A daily stipend which covers the cost of housing, meals and transportation to the activities organized by the Programme.
Please kindly note that it is the fellow’s responsibility to carry adequate medical insurance.
Since 1981, more than 470 broadcasters and journalists from more 160 countries have taken part in the programme.
Selection Process
Each year the United Nations Department of Public Information pre-selects countries to participate in the fellowship programme. These countries are chosen on a rotating basis using the UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs’ (DESA) classification of developing and transitional countries.
The appropriate UN field offices (UN Information Centres or UNICs, local offices of the UN Development Programme or UNDP, etc.) then assist DPI in identifying local qualified candidates, amongst which DPI selects one applicant per participating country.
The candidates must meet the following eligibility requirements:
* Candidates must be nationals of a pre-selected country.
* Candidates should be between the age of 22 and 35.
* Candidates should be employed by recognized, independent media organizations. Freelancers, government employees and UN employees are thus ineligible.
* Candidates must be fluent in English. All briefings and workshops during the programme are conducted in English only. Candidates from non-English-speaking countries are required to successfully pass a written and oral exam in English.
* Candidates should have several years of professional journalism experience and a proven interest in international affairs.
Please note that no more than one applicant per pre-selected country can participate and that applications of former participants will not be accepted.
If you are interested in applying for the Reham Al-Farra Memorial Journalists' Fellowship Programme, please find the UNIC or UNDP office closest to you and contact them to see whether your country is among this year’s list of pre-selected countries eligible to participate. This list becomes available each year in May. Applicants are selected in June.
Contact Information:
For inquiries: click here
Website: http://www.un.org/en/media/fellowship/