Marie Stopes International joins forces with The Guardian to launch the International Development Journalism Competition

London: One of the world’s leading sexual and reproductive health organisations, Marie Stopes international (MSI), is teaming up with The Guardian newspaper and seven other development agencies to launch a groundbreaking journalism competition this week.

The Guardian International Development Journalism Competition was launched today with the generous financial support of the Department for International Development (DFID). Douglas Alexander, International Development Secretary, says he is looking forward to this competition motivating a new generation of journalists to write about some of the most important global issues facing the developing world today.

“They will play a key role in helping to raise awareness and understanding among the UK public of the complexity of development issues, explaining how people are connected with people living on the other side of the globe,” said the Secretary of State, “and, crucially, encouraging us all to play a part in reducing global poverty. I encourage aspiring journalists to come forward and take part in this exciting competition.”

"Marie Stopes International is proud to support this innovative competition together with DFID and the Guardian," said Michael Holscher, MSI Director of External Relations. "We believe journalists play a crucial role in shining the light on international development issues. Unfortunately, too much of the current coverage comes only when disaster strikes, rather than when NGOs and their partners achieve positive gains on behalf of people in the developing world. We hope this competition will highlight both the challenges and the achievements on a wide range of issues that are key to achieving the Millennium Development Goals.”

The other NGO partners are Camfed International, HelpAge International, International HIV/AIDS Alliance, Malaria Consortium, Plan UK, Sightsavers International and WaterAid.

For more details of the competition, visit: www.guardian.co.uk/developmentcompetition. The deadline for entries is 6th May 2008.

For further information, contact: Diana Thomas, Communications Manager, Marie Stopes International Tel: 020 7034 2317 Email: diana.thomas@mariestopes.org.uk

Categories: United Kingdom; Europe; Advocacy & campaigning; Corporate news; Family planning; Maternal health; Post abortion care; Refugees & IDPs

11/03/2008

Marie Stopes International joins forces with The Guardian to launch the International Development Journalism Competition

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