USAID and the Population Reference Bureau (PRB) are seeking applications from journalists in Eastern and Southern Africa to attend the first-of-its-kind regional journalism workshop aimed at improving their expertise in analyzing health-related survey and scientific data to provide accurate pictures of national development policies.
Other partners of USAID and PRB in the organization of this workshop are Internews, the International Center for Journalists (ICFJ) and the Kenyan Alliance of Health and Science Reporters (KAHSR). The workshop entitled “Making Numbers Count” Regional Journalism Workshop will be held from November 21-23, 2011 at the Internews Training Center in Nairobi, Kenya.
Workshop Objective
Up to 20 journalists from Eastern and Southern Africa will be given intensive training in how to interpret and analyze health data, especially from the Demographic and Health Surveys (DHS). Journalists will also learn to understand statistical data related to public health disease control programs.
Through guided presentations, discussions and field activities, journalists will develop the tools for turning charts and graphs into stories about the impact of policies on real people’s lives. The three-day forum is sponsored by USAID and the PRB, with support from the William and Flora Hewlett Foundation.
Eligibility
Journalists with 3 to 5 years’ professional experience as a staff employee, freelancer or correspondent, and who have a current affiliation with or who have produced a body of work for a newspaper, magazine, broadcast media or online organization are encouraged to apply. They must also:
– Reside or work in one of the following East/Southern African Countries: Ethiopia, Kenya, Lesotho, Malawi, Rwanda, Swaziland, Tanzania, Uganda, or Zambia.
– Submit samples or links to published or aired stories related to health, research and national development issues;
– Be able to communicate comfortably and effectively in English during the seminars, though they may write or broadcast in any language.
Funding
Travel, lodging and seminar expenses will be covered.
Requirements from Participants
Those selected will be asked to submit a letter from their editor, director or supervisor in support of their participation in the workshop. Journalists must be prepared to:
– Participate in all workshop activities;
– Publish or produce at least one special report, series of articles, or broadcast program related to health research, demographic and/or survey data;
– Provide copies of each supplement, series of articles, or broadcast program, or a link to the aforementioned, immediately after its publication or broadcast.
Last date for submission of applications is September 30, 2011.
For more information, visit this link.
