RAF Memorial Journalists Fellowship

The RAF Memorial Journalists Fellowship was mandated by UN General Assembly and renamed “Reham Al-Farra Memorial Journalists Fellowship Programme” to honour Ms. Reham Al-Farra, a young UN staff member killed in the bombing of the UN Headquarters in Baghdad.

The Programme is sponsored annually by the United Nations Department of Public Information as a fellowship Programme for junior and mid-level broadcasters and journalists from developing countries and countries with economies in transition.

The Programme provides journalists with an opportunity to gain first-hand experience in the work of the United Nations. It is also an opportunity to meet journalists from other countries and exchange ideas with UN communication professionals.

Upon completion of the Programme, participants are expected to continue working in journalism or broadcasting and help promote better understanding of the United Nations in their home country.

The Programme is not intended to provide basic skills training to broadcasters and journalists, as all participants are already working as media professionals. The Programme also does not lead to employment by the UN.

RAF Fellowship Participant Selection Process

As a General Assembly mandated Programme, the selection strives to ensure equity in participation of all developing countries and countries with economies in transition, based on geographical distribution, past participation and size of the country.

The participants are recruited via UN Information Centers, UNDP offices and UN Missions in the selected countries. The selection is a competitive process which includes an interview and written assessment taking into consideration gender, type of media balance and individual experience.

RAF Memorial Journalists Fellowship Eligibility Requirements

Candidates for the RAF Memorial Journalists Fellowshipmust meet all the following requirements:

Age between 22 and 35.
Currently employed by a recognized media organization. Freelancers, translators and UN employees or immediate family members of UN employees are not eligible.
Oral and written fluency in English. Applicants from Non-English speaking countries will be interviewed on the phone.
Several years of professional journalism experience and proven interest in the work of the United Nations.RAF Memorial Journalists Fellowship – Work Programme
Participants are expected to:
Familiarize themselves with the issues before the 70th Session of the UN General Assembly.
Shadow UN media professionals and participate in hands-on activities and workshops.
Participate in a two-day academic workshop at a university in New York.
Undertake professional work assignments. Each participant will be required to compile a dossier of news stories or scripts.
Attend briefings by officials of the UN Secretariat and special events.
Visit major media organizations and relevant NGOs in New York to observe their operations.RAF Memorial Journalists Fellowship – What is Provided by the UN?
Economy single round trip airline ticket from your country to New York.
A daily subsistence allowance (DSA) to cover your accommodation, meals, local transportation and other expenses. The current daily rate for New York is US$ 378.00.
Upon completion of the Programme requirements and assignments, participants will receive a certificate of participation.Participant Responsibility and Other Requirements
Once selected, participants will need to undertake the following:
Obtain a Visitor Visa to the United States and acquire health insurance to cover possible medical expenses in the United States.
Provide a reference letter from his/her current employer, granting leave of absence for the full duration of the Programme. While in New York, participants are required to file relevant UN stories with their news organizations.
In preparation for the Programme, participants are required to research recent UN activities in their countries and familiarize themselves with the UN System through the UN website and other relevant sources of information.RAF Memorial Journalists Fellowship – Application Process
1. Complete Application Form

2. Submit three samples in any language published in the last three years of your work related to the United Nations (General politics – is not accepted). A translation into English or a summary must accompany material published in languages other than the six UN official languages (Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Russian or Spanish).

For print journalists:

Copies of three articles or reports related to the United Nations, including full citation (dates, pages and names of the publications) Please SCAN and send the relevant article by email. Do not send complete newspapers or magazines.

For broadcast and on-line journalists:

Three videos, audio or Internet links (e.g. YouTube) (maximum 15 minutes each) or links to radio/TV/on-line work related to the United Nations. Please indicate your exact responsibility and role in those samples. Samples must be journalistic in nature and demonstrate your role in news gathering, writing, editing or producing.

Applicants in managerial or editorial positions for whom it would be difficult to send work samples should include a statement of up to 150 words describing their work and information about the publication/news organization.

3. Submit a photocopy of your passport, showing your photo, nationality, day/place issued and date of expiration. Your passport must be valid for at least another six months from the end of the Programme. Birth certificates or other forms or documentation cannot be accepted.

4. Provide a reference letter from your current employer, supporting your application and, if selected, granting you leave of absence for the full duration of the Programme, including allowing time to execute all assignments and requirements.

5. Submit a photocopy of your university/college diploma in the field of journalism or communication. A translation into English must accompany diplomas issued in languages other than the six UN official languages (Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Russian or Spanish).

For more information, application details and contact information, see; RAF Memorial Journalists Fellowship