J2J Lung Health Media Training

J2J Global Media Training (10-12 November 2010) and

41^st Union World Conference on Lung Health (11-15 November 2010)

The Journalist to Journalist Project of the National Press Foundation and the International Union Against Tuberculosis and Lung Disease (The Union) are offering fellowships to a three-day journalist training program on lung health issues (tuberculosis, asthma, childhood pneumonia, COPD, tobacco control, and TB/HIV co-infection) and the 41^st Union World Conference on Lung Health in Berlin, Germany.

The Union World Conference is the largest annual conference focusing on lung health issues as they affect low- and middle-income countries. The theme of this year's conference is “TB, HIV and Lung Health: from research and innovation to solutions”. More than 2,500 delegates from 100+ countries are expected to attend.

The J2J program is designed for working journalists who want to increase their knowledge and skill at developing stories on lung health issues – from the extent of the problem to the new research and innovations that are in the pipeline.  The sessions will feature presentations and discussions with experts, as well as practical training in turning scientific information into effective print and broadcast stories.

Up to 15 fellowships will be awarded to qualified print, radio/broadcast, and online journalists. Applications are encouraged from reporters with experience covering the social, economic and larger societal impact of lung disease, as well as the science and medicine. For this program, special attention will be given to applications from journalists working in these countries/regions: India, Russia, Egypt, China, Peru and Africa.

Fellowships include conference registration, roundtrip airfare to Berlin, hotel accommodation and per diem.

All applicants must have strong English speaking and reading skills. (There will be NO translation at the J2J Program, although the World Conference offers English-French-English translation for principal sessions.)

All application materials must be submitted in English.  Applicants will be asked to rate their English proficiency.

The deadline for applications is 5:00 PM EST, Monday, August 16. 

All applicants will be notified around 1 September 2010.  Each accepted fellow will receive a letter of invitation to attend, but will be responsible for making the necessary visa arrangements. 

This training opportunity is organized by the Journalist to Journalist Project of the National Press Foundation, a U.S.-based, non-profit independent journalism education organization.  Funding is provided by The Union, a non-profit international scientific organization based in Paris. For more information, contact Ms. Ana Zovko at ana@nationalpress.org.

For more information about the 41^st Union World Conference on Lung Health and The Union, please go to www.worldlunghealth.org or www.theunion.org