Educate. Connect. Inspire

Educate. Connect. Inspire
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Jul 19, 2014

Apply for the PACMAS Training for Pacific Broadcasters and Journalists to held in September

APPLY NOW – PACMAS Training for Pacific Broadcasters and Journalists in partnership with SPREP
ABOUT THE PROGRAM
As part of the PACMAS Program of support under its Media Strengthening component, PACMAS proposes to fund a 2 week fellowship for mid-level broadcasters and journalists to attend the UNSIDS Conference in Apia, Samoa.
The unique characteristics of SIDs being small, remote and resource-poor, has seen the group as making the least progress in sustainable development compared to other country groupings. In economic terms, especially in terms of poverty reduction and debt sustainability, SIDS has regressed.
The third UN Conference on Small Island Developing States will be hosted in the Pacific for the first time, hosted by Samoa.  The theme of the conference is “The sustainable development of Small Island Developing States through genuine and durable partnerships”.   Underscored by PACMAS strong C4D focus, this program will facilitate emerging Pacific Island media leaders’ understanding of global issues, discussion and negotiation of ideas and knowledge, and engagement in public debates at international levels. This program is designed toempower participants by strengthening their skills, competencies and networks that will enable further dialogue at national and community level, empowering citizens to voice their aspirations and concerns and participate in the decisions that relate to their development. 

GOALS

The Program provides journalists with an opportunity to gain first-hand experience in the work of the international community convening and engaging on issues around sustainable development within the Small Island Developing States context. The program will provide opportunities to hear national leaders, development partners and subject matter experts deliberate on pressing developing issues that face the region, particularly, post-2015 MDGs.  The fellowship aims to profile the sustainable development issues to be discussed at the conference, the outcomes of which will impact Pacific communities.
Upon completion of the Program, participants are expected to continue working in journalism or broadcasting and help promote better understanding of global development issues and their local implications in their home country. As working journalists with an understanding of development issues facing the region, the program is not intended to provide basic skills training.
LEARNING OUTCOMES:
  • Familiarization and reporting on the post-2015 development agenda and implications for SIDS;
  • Knowledge-sharing on the strategic roles of media and media training in Pacific Island development.
PARTICIPANT SELECTION PROCESS
The selection is a competitive 2-step process which includes the provision of 3 samples of work with the initial application, and a final interview. At least one applicant will be selected from the six themes of the conference:
  • Sustainable economic development;
  • Climate change and disaster risk management;
  • Social Development in SIDS (Health, NCD’s Youth and Women);
  • Sustainable Energy;
  • Oceans Seas and Biodiversity;
  • Water and sanitation food security and waste management.
The program is open to journalists and broadcasters from 14 Pacific Island countries including Cook Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Fiji, Kiribati, Nauru, Niue, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Republic of Marshall Islands, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu and Vanuatu. A final 6 successful applicants will be selected to attend the program. Eligible candidates not selected will be invited to participate in new social media discussion groups to run concurrently during the Conference, and receive training materials electronically.

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS:

  • Candidates must be nationals of a Pacific Island country;
  • Age between  25 – 35;
  • Currently full-time employed by a Pacific Island media organization;
  • Knowledgeable on Pacific development issues, and familiar with conference themes;
  • Oral and written fluency in English;
  • At least 5 years of professional journalism experience and proven interest in development issues facing the Pacific;
  • Provide a letter of support from the Head of the organization endorsing their full participation and that news developed over this period will be published/broadcast through their media outlet;
  • Have approved accreditation to attend the conference, preferably media accreditation;
  • Have a passport valid until April 2015.
PARTICIPANTS ARE EXPECTED TO:
  • Familiarize themselves with the topics of the six multi-stakeholder partnership dialogues , the zero draft document and national priorities before the UNSIDS Conference, candidates will be provided support and guidance in this from SPREP.
  • Participate in a training workshop and in hands on activities.
  • Undertake professional work assignments. Each participant will be required to compile a dossier of at least 8 news stories, scripts or links on their allocated key thematic area for submission and distribution.
  • Attend media briefings by specialised agencies, programmes to be guided by SPREP.
  • Support the sharing and distribution of news through their network and contact list where possible.
  • Provide PACMAS and SPREP with a detailed list of their news items that were published or broadcast in national media over this period.
  • Provide their own equipment (laptop, recorder, camera and so forth) required to complete their assignments. 

WHAT IS PROVIDED BY PACMAS?

  • Most direct return economy single airline ticket from your country to Apia, Samoa;
  • Shared accommodation;
  • A daily subsistence allowance (DSA) to cover your meals (excluding breakfast).
  • Upon completion of the Programme requirements and submission of dossier of news stories, scripts or links, participants will receive a certificate of participation;
  • Hotel and airport transfers in transit countries. 

PARTICIPANT RESPONSIBILITY AND OTHER REQUIREMENTS

  • Once selected, participants will need to obtain all necessary transit visas to Apia, Samoa for reimbursement upon submission of original receipts.
  • Travel and health insurance;
  • Provide a reference letter from current employer, this letter is also to indicate support for your participation in this program and support for publishing or broadcasting your news items developed during this programme;
  • In preparation for the Program, participants are required to prepare two short PowerPoint presentations (7 – 10 minutes each) in the context of their key thematic area on a topic assigned by PACMAS Capacity Development Advisor and SPREP Coordinator.

Topics include:

  1. Media treatment of Pacific development issues, challenges and opportunities (with examples)
  2. Facilitating development dialogue: Role of the media
APPLICATION PROCESS
Please complete application form, and submit with supporting documents via e-mail to training@pacmas.org no later than 4pm (AEST) on Wednesday, July 23, 2014.
Application requirements:
  • Application form;
  • Supporting documents including 3 samples (or links) of your work;
  • Photocopy of your passport bio-page;
  • Letter of support from your employer;
  • Information on any visas you may have that will allow you to travel freely through New Zealand and Australia that will not have expired by October 2014.
To download a PDF copy of the EOI please click here: UN Conference on Small Island Developing States.
To download the application form please click here: PACMAS TRAINING Application Form
Read more at: http://www.pacmas.org/profile/apply-now-pacmas-training-for-pacific-broadcasters-and-journalists-in-partnership-with-sprep/#sthash.ZKGfiISk.dpuf