The East-West Center is inviting applications for Pakistan-United States Journalists Exchange program for the year 2014. Twelve Pakistani journalists will travel to the United States and ten U.S. Journalists will travel to Pakistan to gain first hand information about the countries they visit to better understand the perspectives of both sides and bring new insights to this changing relationship to their audiences. All participants meet at the East-West Center in Hawaii before and after their study tours for dialogues focused on sensitive issues between the two countries. The application will close on October 8, 2013.
Study Subject(s): This exchange offers US and Pakistani journalists an opportunity to gain firsthand information about the countries they visit to better understand the perspectives of both sides and bring new insights on this changing relationship to their audiences.
Course Level: This exchange program open for US and Pakistani journalists.
Scholarship Provider: This program is funded by a grant from the U.S. Embassy Islamabad Public Affairs Section.
Scholarship can be taken at: Pakistan and USA
User Review
( votes)Eligibility: Professional print, broadcast (TV and radio), and online journalists in Pakistan and the United States with a minimum of five years of professional experience. Must be citizens of Pakistan or the United States. Pakistani journalists must have no previous experience in the United States, be currently residing in Pakistan and be able to communicate in English in a professional, multi-cultural environment. Preference will be given to Urdu and regional language media and effort will be made to balance regional, gender and broadcast, print and on-line representation. The strongest candidates from both countries will be those who cover the US-Pakistan relationship in their work as reporters, editors, columnists, producers, anchors, etc., or who are in a position to be able to do some stories about the country visited and the issues covered in the program.
Scholarship Open for International Students: Pakistani and US citizens can apply for the program.
Scholarship Description: The Pakistan-United States Journalists Exchange program is designed to increase and deepen public understanding of the two countries and their important relationship, one that is crucial to regional stability and the global war on terrorism. While there have been many areas of agreement and cooperation through the history of the US-Pakistan relationship, deep mistrust and a lack of understanding remain between American and Pakistani publics, which rarely get opportunities to engage with each other and thus rely on the media for their information and viewpoints. The year 2014 will be important for the US-Pakistan relationship. Pakistan’s first successful democratic transition in 2013 brought a new government to Pakistan and an invigorated interest on both sides for a fresh start. The two countries must find a way to cope with the significant on-going challenges of terrorism, economic development and regional stability as the US draws down its military presence in Afghanistan.
Number of award(s): Twelve Pakistani journalists will travel to the United States and ten U.S. Journalists will travel to Pakistan.
What does it cover? Round trip airfare for the study tour travel, lodging, visa expenses and per diem to cover meals and incidentals are provided by the East-West Center through a grant from the United States Embassy Islamabad Public Affairs Section.
Notification: East-West Center will inform journalists of the results by November 30, 2013.
How to Apply: Please send applications by fax or email. Please submit the following:
1. Pakistan-U. S. Journalists Exchange Application Form (pages 1 & 2), downloadable as a fillable PDF or Word file (when using the PDF, please be sure to save a copy to your computer using “save as” before typing in any content). If you need more space please feel free to add pages;
2. Cover letter/statement of interest (maximum three double-spaced pages) that includes all of the following:
-A brief introduction to you, your news organization, and your role in the organization and how it relates to the program as described above.
-Your specific interests in and goals for the program and how you can apply it to your work. For Pakistani journalists, please comment on your particular areas of interest for the journalism sessions in Columbia, Missouri.
-1-2 paragraphs about the aspect of the US-Pakistan relationship that is of greatest interest or relevance to you from the list below and how you feel your participation in the program could benefit your understanding of that aspect of the relationship.
3. Letter of recommendation from a supervisor describing your role in the organization, your suitability for the Exchange, and the benefit your organization hopes to derive from your participation in the program. Freelance or non-traditional journalists should send a reference from a professional familiar with their work, preferably from a media organization that regularly uses his or her work.
4. Names, titles and contact information of your supervisor and two other people who may be contacted by the Center as references. Please include both emails and phone contacts.
Scholarship Application Deadline: The deadline to submit application is October 8, 2013.
