Jefferson Fellowships for Journalists

The Jefferson Fellowships program was launched in 1967 to enhance public understanding through the news media of cultures, issues and trends in the Asia Pacific region, broadly defined as Asia, the Pacific Islands and the United States. The Fellowships provide U.S. and Asia Pacific journalists with an opportunity to broaden their understanding of Asia Pacific issues and build a professional network through one week of dialogue with professional colleagues and experts at the East-West Center, followed by a two-week study tour to cities in Asia or the U.S.

Spring 2010 Jefferson Fellowships Program
NOW ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS FOR THE SPRING 2010 PROGRAM

Program Dates: April 17 - May 9, 2010
Study Tour Destinations: Honolulu, Hawaii; Hong Kong SAR; Shanghai, China; Jakarta, Indonesia
Theme: Reporting New Realities: Beyond the Economic Crisis

The shock of the global financial crisis and renewed commitment to addressing climate change pose new realities for countries around the world. Leaders at the APEC Summit in Singapore in November 2009 stated `We cannot go back to `growth as usual` or `trade as usual.` The post-crisis landscape will be different. We need a new growth paradigm. We need a fresh model of economic integration.` But what will such models look like, and how are countries positioned to implement them?

Participants in the Spring 2010 Jefferson Fellowships will explore new realities in the U.S.- Asia Pacific region in the wake of the shock of the global economic crisis and in the face of the growing challenge of climate change. This special Jefferson Fellowships program will begin with one week of dialogue sessions at the East-West Center in Honolulu, followed by an opportunity to attend the East-West Center`s 2nd International Media Conference in Hong Kong on the theme `Reporting New Realities in the Asia Pacific Region.` The conference will provide on-the-ground updates on news and media issues throughout the world`s most dynamic region through keynote speakers, panels of journalists and other professionals, plenary sessions with regional experts, and media workshops.

Participants will then travel to Shanghai and Jakarta to explore some of these new realities. China and Indonesia are countries with huge populations and rising influence in the Asia Pacific region. As members of the G-20, they both have a seat at the new international table to discuss the future of global governance. Yet both are still developing countries that are seeking a model of sustainable economic growth in the face of new global economic realities, regional power balances and climate change. Participants will visit Shanghai in advance of the opening of the World Expo on the theme `Better City, Better Life` to explore the significance of the Expo for China and for Shanghai, the new Chinese-U.S. relationship, and how China is moving forward with its economic recovery and future development. In Jakarta, participants will explore the under-reported `new reality` of democratic and economic transition in the world`s fourth most populous country and the largest Muslim democracy. They will examine the many challenges that lie ahead for the multi-ethnic, multi-lingual country to develop a robust, effective democracy and economic growth in a challenging new global landscape.

Who Can Apply:
Working print, broadcast, and online journalists in the United States, the Pacific Islands, and Asia with a minimum of five years of professional experience. Applicants must have the ability to communicate in English in a professional, multi-cultural environment.

Application Deadline:
Wednesday, January 27, 2010

Funding:
The Jefferson Fellowships are supported from a grant from The Freeman Foundation. The grant funds economy class, roundtrip airfare to and from Honolulu, Hawaii as well as program-related air and ground transportation, lodging, and meals for participating journalists. A modest per diem is also provided. Participants are responsible for all applicable visa fees and any additional visa-related expenses.

News organizations are also asked to support their employees` participation by cost-sharing whenever possible. An `Employers Statement of Support` is a required part of the application. While financial assistance from the employer is not required, employers are encouraged to provide support to their Jefferson Fellows as a demonstration of their commitment to the program.

For more information about the program and how to apply, please see the Spring 2010 Jefferson Fellowships announcement.

HOW TO APPLY
Applicants must submit the Jefferson Fellowships application form and

1. A maximum three-page letter outlining your issues of interest, a brief description of your news organization, what you expect to accomplish if an award is granted and topics you propose to address in your paper and presentation at the East-West Center. It should be a topic that represents a perspective from your country/community related to the program theme.
2. A letter of recommendation on official letterhead from your supervisor describing your suitability for the Fellowship and the benefit the organization hopes to derive from your participation in the program.
3. Names, addresses, phone/fax numbers and e-mail of three people who may be contacted by the Center as references. Two of these references should be people outside your news organization.
4. The `Employer`s Statement of Support` form completed by your employer (form is included in the 3-page application).

NOTE: Samples of your work are not required. If you wish to include samples, please do so via web links to articles.

Application deadline is Wednesday, January 27, 2010. Incomplete or late applicants will not be considered.

Applications may be sent by e-mail, fax or post as follows:
Email: jefferson[at]eastwestcenter.org
Fax: 1-808-944-7600 (ATTN: Jefferson Fellowships)

Post:
Jefferson Fellowships Program
East-West Seminars
East-West Center
1601 East-West Road
Honolulu, Hawai`i 96848-1601, U.S.A.

If you have questions about the application process, please contact us at: jefferson@eastwestcenter.org or 1-808-944-7682

FOR MORE INFORMATION
Ann Hartman
Seminar Specialist, Seminars
East-West Center
1601 East-West Road
Honolulu, HI 96848-1601
Phone: (808) 944-7619
Fax: (808) 944-7600
Email: jefferson[at]eastwestcenter.org

Website: http://www.eastwestcenter.org/jefferson

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