The Dag Hammarskjöld Fund for Journalists has issued a call for applications from full-time and freelance career print, television, radio or internet journalists from mainly developing African nations, Asia, Latin America and the Caribbean, and Oceania to cover deliberations of the 79th session of the United Nations General Assembly for 10 to 12 weeks, beginning in September each year.
Selected journalists will, through the programme, deepen their understanding of the work of the U.N. through first-hand observation of working sessions, press conferences, and interviews, thus enabling in-depth reporting on issues relevant to their audiences. It will also afford them the opportunity to interact with media colleagues from around the world and learn about the challenges that journalism faces in other countries.
The Dag Hammarskjöld Fund for Journalists has called for applications from full-time and freelance career print, television, radio or internet journalists from mainly developing African nations, Asia, Latin America and the Caribbean, and Oceania to cover deliberations of the 79th United Nations General Assembly for 10 – 12 weeks beginning in September each year.
Hammarskjöld Fellows will be assisted by fund board members and other U.N. journalists to guide them in accessing the resources needed to prepare their reports.
Depending on if there is available time, organisers will also make arrangements for the Fellows to visit with New York area media organizations, as well as institutions working to encourage and protect the journalism profession.
Applicants must have a current passport which will be required to apply for and obtain a I-1 journalist visa from a U.S. Embassy or Consulate in order to accept the Fellowship. They should also submit work samples no earlier than 2023; be employed by bona fide media organizations such as print, television, radio or web outlets; be proficient in spoken English; and be aged between 25 and 35 years
Journalists residing in European countries are not eligible to apply unless they are still reporting to audiences in Africa, Asia, Latin America and the Caribbean, and Oceania.
In addition to providing work samples, a summary statement, passport copy and references from colleagues or former supervisors, freelance journalists must also provide letters from at least three (3) publications stating that they will accept the reports filed from the United Nations.
To apply, applicants should complete the online Application Form and upload the following:
- A minimum of three (3) work samples published no earlier than 2023 in English language or accompanied by English translation for articles not originally written in English. Where work samples are not available on the internet, copies should be uploaded to the Application Form (in Word, PDF, MP3 or JPEG formats). If not available on a media website, work samples may be uploaded to a publicly accessible online service, such as YouTube.
- Letter of endorsement from the editor or director of the news organization that presently employs the journalist which: a) grants journalist a paid leave of absence from his/her current duties if awarded a fellowship; b) agrees to publish or broadcast the reports filed by the journalist from the U.N.; and c) provides contact information (email, phone, etc.) for verification purposes. By endorsing the application, the editor pledges to pay for all transmission charges and to publish or broadcast submitted reports.
- A statement (not more than 500 words) expressing a desire for the Fellowship and how the experience will benefit the applicant’s understanding of international diplomacy and issues deliberated at the United Nations.
- A copy of the applicant’s current passport.
Selected journalists and/or their employers will be required to provide equipment necessary to effectively report from the U.N. such as a laptop or notebook computer enabled for WIFI, digital camera (if appropriate), tape recorder, audio/visual recording, and other equipment required for transmitting reports.
For questions on eligibility or other programme-related questions, please send an email to fellowship2024@unjournalismfellowship.org.
The deadline for submission of Fellowship applications is April 5, 2024. For detailed information about the fellowship and to apply, please visit https://unjournalismfellowship.org/fellowship/#eligibility.
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