The success of this unique competition last year prompted the co-sponsors MSI, the Guardian, DFID and GlaxoSmithKline to renew their support for the competition, which encourages journalists and amateur writers to write about some of the most important issues facing the developing world today.
Last year, the competition attracted over 400 entrants, generating unprecedented news coverage for some key development issues. Topics ranged from reproductive health challenges in the slums of Dhaka and Mumbai, to older people murdered for witchcraft in Tanzania, to one of the winning articles on young people’s response to climate change in the Philippines.
"Marie Stopes International is proud to continue its support for this innovative competition," said Michael Holscher, MSI Director of External Affairs. "Good journalism is one of the most compelling ways to draw attention to international development stories that would not otherwise be heard. This competition helps highlight both the challenges and the achievements on a wide range of issues that are key to alleviating poverty in the developing world.”
According to Holscher, MSI was amazed by the number of entries last year for such a demanding competition. “We hope and expect we will get even more entrants this year.”
The other international development NGOs supporting the project this year are British Red Cross, African Medical and Research Foundation, Farm Africa, Find Your Feet International Childcare Trust, One World Action and Panos London.
For details of the competition, visit: www.guardian.co.uk/journalismcompetition. The deadline for entries is 30 June 2009
