The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has launched a global storytelling contest, Voices2Paris, to contribute to raising public awareness on the negative impacts of climate change as well as on the opportunities and solutions seen in actions by individuals and governments alike across vulnerable developing countries worldwide.
The Programme targets journalists that are 35 years old or younger from developing countries and who are already involved in public writing. Stories submitted by young journalists from developing countries can be written in English or come with an English translation if in Arabic, Chinese, French or Spanish.
Submissions will be accepted until October 11, 2015. Guidelines to participate are available on the UNDP Geneva website
UNDP Geneva Director Neil Buhne stated that “We want to provide young journalists in developing countries a unique opportunity to contribute to the global debate on climate change in the run-up to COP21, while building their capacity and providing recognition for excellence”
Interested journalists should want to contribute towards greater public awareness on climate change locally and internationally.
The best stories will be published every day in the immediate run-up to COP21, carrying messages of struggle, opportunity and hope from the climate change frontlines worldwide. The authors of the top two prize-winning stories will be invited to attend and cover the COP21 UN climate summit in Paris in December 2015.
A team of senior journalists reporting on climate change from top-tier international media outlets, regional media associations, and representatives from major international organizations, will review the entries and mentor the participants.
Stories, once screened and scored will be published on UNDP’s website and disseminated through partners’ channels to ensure maximum outreach and support the call for an ambitious agenda to be endorsed during the COP21.
The hashtag on social media is #Voices2Paris. For frequent updates, follow @UNDPGeneva and @TheCVF on Twitter
To support this initiative, help spread the word by:
- Posting the Press release on your website
- Sharing the announcement within your local media network
- Posting information on the contest on your social media
For more information, please contact:
Sarah Bel – UNDP Communication Specialist
+41 22 917 8544
