Deadline- August 29, 2012
Countries/Region- Pakistan
U.S. Embassy Islamabad Public Affairs Section seeking applications for Exchange programme between Pakistan and U.S to study Journalism.The program is designed to increase and deepen public understanding of the two countries and their important relationship, one that is crucial to regional stability and the global war on terrorism. While there have been many areas of agreement and cooperation, deep mistrust remains between Americans and Pakistanis, who rarely get opportunities to engage with each other and thus rely on media for their information and viewpoints. Unresolved issues continue to pose challenges for both countries.This East-West Center program is funded by a grant from the U.S. Embassy Islamabad Public Affairs Section.
Objectives-
- This exchange offers U.S. and Pakistani journalists an opportunity to gain on-the-ground insights and firsthand information about the countries they visit through meetings with policymakers, government and military officials, business and civil society leaders, and a diverse group of other community members.
- The program provides journalists with valuable new perspectives and insights on this critically important relationship, a wealth of contacts and resources for future reporting, and friendships with professional colleagues in the other country upon whom to draw throughout their careers.
Program Schedule-
- Study Tour for Pakistani Journalists (March 8-20): Washington, D.C., New York City and Columbia, Missouri-Pakistani journalists will have an opportunity to explore U.S. policy toward Pakistan and learn more about the U.S. system of government and democracy during a visit to Washington, D.C. The New York City program will feature discussions about media coverage of Pakistan and the residual effects of 9/11 on U.S. relations with the Muslim world and the experience of Muslim Americans in the United States. Finally, participants will see a very different part of America in Columbia, Missouri.
- Study Tour for the U.S. Journalists (March 9-19): Islamabad and Lahore, Pakistan- American journalists will have a chance to better understand the situation on the ground in Pakistan and explore Pakistani attitudes and perspectives toward the United States. Meetings will focus on Pakistan’s system of government and democracy, its economic and development challenges, the war on terrorism and rising extremism, as well as the role of the United States and its policies in Pakistan. Additionally, they will have a chance to observe Pakistan’s media environment and discuss coverage of the United States.
- Honolulu Program (March 6-8, and March 21-23)- The program opens with two-days of briefings and discussions for the Pakistani and American journalists at the East-West Center in Honolulu (March 6-8. Journalists will engage in dialogue sessions on the key issues and challenges in the Pakistan-U.S. relationship. After their respective study tour programs, the journalists will return to Honolulu (March 21-23) to share their new perspectives on the relationship and one another’s countries based on their on-the-ground meetings and visits, and will discuss ways to improve media coverage of the issues and of one another’s countries.
Eligibility-
- Pakistan: Professional print, broadcast (radio and TV), and online journalists in Pakistan who meet the following eligibility requirements-
- Working in Urdu or local language media;
- No previous travel experience in the United States;
- Minimum five years working experience;
- Ability to communicate in English in a professional, multi-cultural environment;
- Citizen of Pakistan.
- American: Professional print, broadcast (radio and TV), and online journalists with a minimum of five years experience. Must be an American citizen. Preference will be given to journalists who have not previously traveled to Pakistan.
How to Apply?
- Pakistan-U.S. Journalists Exchange Application Form.
- Resume or CV (maximum two-pages, but which includes work experience and education background)
- Cover letter (maximum two-pages) outlining applicants interest in the program; a brief introduction to their news organization, applicant role in the organization and how it relates to the program; and what applicant expect to accomplish by participating in the program. For Pakistani journalists, please comment on their particular areas of interest for the journalism sessions in Columbia, Missouri.
- For the dialogue in Honolulu, applicants will be asked to provide a perspective from their country on one of the following aspects of the Pakistan-US relationship. Applicants can choose their topic of Interest –
- Fighting terrorism and extremism in Pakistan;
- U.S. aid to Pakistan;
- Economic cooperation between the U.S. and Pakistan;
- Challenges faced by the media in the U.S. or Pakistan in reporting U.S.-Pakistan relations.
- Letter of recommendation from a supervisor describing applicants suitability for the Exchange and the benefit applicants organization hopes to derive from applicant participation in the program.
- Names, titles and contact information of two people who may be contacted by the Center as references. They should be professional contacts who can talk about applicants work as a journalist.
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