Reuters Foundation and IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) launch 2008 Media Awards for Excellence in Environmental Reporting.
London and Gland, Switzerland, 15 April 2008 (Reuters Foundation/IUCN) – Reuters Foundation and IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) launch today the 2008 Media Awards, a worldwide competition aimed at raising global awareness of environmental and sustainable development issues, by encouraging excellence in environmental reporting worldwide. The awards are co-funded by Reuters Foundation, IUCN and COM+ Alliance of Communicators for Sustainable Development.
Previous winners have come from countries as diverse as Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Burkina Faso, Canada, China, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Egypt, El Salvador, Germany, Great Britain, Kenya, Macedonia, Nigeria, Pakistan, Philippines, Qatar, Russia, South Africa, Togo, USA, and Zimbabwe.
“Environmental reporting is a crucial step towards a more sustainable future. Through this competition we are looking for examples of investigative and inspired reporting that helps both decision-makers and the public conserve nature and contribute to human wellbeing,” said Julia Marton-Lefèvre, Director General of IUCN.
5,000 US$ cash prize for global winner
Journalists working in print and online media are invited to submit entries to 2008 Reuters-IUCN Media Awards. One winner from each of the six regions – Latin America; North America, including the Caribbean and Oceania; Europe; Asia, including the Middle East; English-speaking Africa; and French-speaking Africa will be invited to attend the Global Awards Ceremony taking place in Barcelona, Spain, during the IUCN World Conservation Congress in October 2008. The global winner will receive a cash prize of US$ 5,000.
All submissions must have been published between 12 September 2006 and 10 June 2008. Candidates may submit one article only, accompanied by an entry form. Entries written in a language other than English, French or Spanish must be accompanied by a translation.
“Communicating the triumphs and tragedies of the unfolding story of man's ability to destroy or preserve his environment is perhaps the most important journalistic endeavour of our times. We want to honour those journalists around the world who are excelling in this work,” comments Rosemary Martin, Director Reuters Foundation.
The deadline for entries is 15 June 2008.
How to Enter
Entries can be submitted either directly by authors or be nominated. Where more than one writer produced the article, the lead writer's name should be submitted. Where possible, entries should be submitted by e-mail. Submitting the article in its original print layout does not present an advantage to the jury.
Entries can be submitted either directly by authors or be nominated. Where more than one writer produced the article, the lead writer's name should be submitted. Where possible, entries should be submitted by e-mail. Submitting the article in its original print layout does not present an advantage to the jury.
Applicants or nominators will be responsible for submitting a translation with the original article into English, French, or Spanish.
Direct applicants should:
- Attach a copy of the article
- Provide a translation of the article in English, French or Spanish
- Submit the above to IUCN by 15 June 2008
- By e-mail: media.awards@iucn.orgor by fax : +41 (22) 999-0020or by post: Rue Mauverney 28Gland1196Switzerland
Nominations may be made by media publishers, editors, TV producers, IUCN staff, IUCN Members, Commissions, and Reuters representatives. Nominators should:
- Provide contact information for the journalist or the publisher
- Attach an original copy of the article
- Provide a translation of the article into English, French or Spanish
- Submit the above to IUCN
- For general enquiries contact IUCN Headquarters: media.awards@iucn.org
Conditions of Entry
- Material submitted for the awards cannot be returned.
- Participants in the Media Awards may be included in IUCN/Reuters Foundation’s international or regional media databases and may receive documentation and press information on IUCN/Reuters Foundation’s activities.
- IUCN, Reuters and Reuters Foundation may use the winning articles (or excerpts) for regional and international public information purposes and to promote the Media Awards programme on their respective web sites, brochures and in events.
- Employees of IUCN and Reuters are not eligible for the awards.
More information and application forms can be found on the Reuters Foundation website at: www.foundation.reuters.com and the IUCN website at www.iucn.org/media_awards.
For more information please contact:
- Carolin Wahnbaeck, Global Media Relations Officer, International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), Tel: +41 22 999 0186, e-mail: carolin.wahnbaeck@iucn.org, www.iucn.org/media_awards
- Belen Becerra, Reuters Foundation, Tel: +44 (0)207 542 6268, Fax: +44 (0)207 542 8599, e-mail: belen.becerra@reuters.com or foundation@reuters.com, www.foundation.reuters.com
