UNHCR is pleased to announce the opening of the Spring 2022 application period for a three-month mentorship programme for aspiring journalists, public speakers or advocates. Refugees as well as internally displaced or stateless people who are above the age of 18 are welcome to apply. Please keep in mind that this programme is open to all candidates who have completed their secondary education. However, preference will be given to those in higher education programmes, especially to those in journalism, communications, advocacy or related fields.
Please apply for either the journalism OR the public speaking/advocacy track. If you are unsure which track is right for you, don’t worry! Many of the sessions will overlap and you can also switch later if you would like.
TO READ THE FULL ANNOUNCEMENT AND COMPLETE RULES, CLICK HERE!
FOR JOURNALISM CANDIDATES:
The goal of these sessions is to help refugees (or internally displaced or stateless people) tell their stories – or any story that is important to them – to the world. This track brings together internal UNHCR staff, external media and academic partners to provide training on writing and reporting skills as well as mentorship and networking opportunities. UNHCR will provide funds to cover programme-related costs including (but not limited to) travel expenses, telephone or internet expenses incurred during reporting and costs associated with accessing the training sessions.
What are we looking for:
- Candidates who have produced at least one journalistic piece (news article, video, radio show, etc.)
- Candidates who will be able to write/produce projects in English*
- Candidates who are enthusiastic about sharing stories that shed light on important issues in the world today
FOR PUBLIC SPEAKING/ADVOCACY CANDIDATES:
The goal of these sessions is to help refugees (or internally displaced or stateless people) become advocates for issues they care about. This track brings together internal UNHCR staff, external media, non profit and academic partners to provide training for writing and public speaking as well as data collection/research. UNHCR will provide funds (up to a limited amount) for programme-related costs including but not limited to travel costs, telephone or internet costs incurred during the creation of the final project and costs related to accessing training sessions.
What are we looking for:
- Candidates who have at least some experience in public speaking or advocacy
- Candidates who will be able to work in English (in the future, we hope to support multiple languages)
- Candidates who are enthusiastic about supporting causes related to forced displacement and/or statelessness or other issues important to them and their communities
HOW TO APPLY
There are two ways to apply:
- By email: Respond to the question as instructed HERE. Send your application by email to the UNHCR Education Section ([email protected]). You may answer all questions directly in the email or attach a separate document OR
- Fill out this Google Form.
Important dates to keep in mind:
- Deadline for applications: 11 MARCH 2022 (Successful candidates notified by the end of March)
- Programme start date: 28 APRIL 2022
- Programme end date: 8 JULY 2022
Observations:
*In the future, we hope to support multiple languages.
**Please note that UNHCR works under the humanitarian principles of neutrality, independence and impartiality. Please keep that in mind when pitching your story idea. Once candidates are chosen, their work will be their own and UNHCR will not try to influence story angles or content except to provide general feedback on technical issues, such as grammar and structure.
***Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, most, if not all, of training and reporting will likely be done virtually.