London, 3 May 2011 - The Guardian International Development Journalism Competition for aspiring and professional journalists launches today. The national competition seeks to shine a light on some of the most challenging issues facing the developing world today through impactful journalism.
With nine international development agencies involved, shortlisted finalists have the opportunity to travel abroad to Africa or Asia and report on the issues firsthand. This year’s supporting charities are Marie Stopes International, CARE International UK, The David Rattray Memorial Trust (UK), Direct Relief International, FHI, International Childcare Trust, Malaria Consortium, Plan UK, Syngenta Foundation for Sustainable Agriculture
Created by Marie Stopes International and The Guardian, the annual competition is sponsored by Glaxo Smith Kline and – new this year - Barclays.
Marie Stopes International CEO Dana Hovig says, “Development is often sidelined by more attention grabbing headlines. This initiative offers an opportunity for journalists to bring international development stories to life and put them on the news agenda. The standard of entries to the competition is always high and we are looking forward to seeing what this year brings”.
The 16 best writers - eight amateur, eight professional - will have their articles printed in special supplements of The Guardian, and featured on the newspaper’s website www.guardian.co.uk.
The deadline for entries is Monday 13th June 2011. For more details of the competition, including information on how to enter, visit http://www.guardian.co.uk/journalismcompetition.
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Notes to Editor
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Millions of the world's poorest and most vulnerable women trust Marie Stopes International to provide them with quality family planning and reproductive healthcare. We have been delivering contraception, safe abortion and mother and baby care for over thirty years and are pleased to be working in 40 countries around the world.
Our clients are at the centre of everything we do; through our innovation and partnerships, underserved women and couples are able to access services and make choices about their sexual and reproductive health. By providing high quality services where they are needed the most, Marie Stopes International prevents unnecessary deaths and makes a sustainable impact on the lives of millions of people every year.
For more information, please visit our website www.mariestopes.org