You are here

Vaclav Havel Journalism Fellowship (2014-2015)

Monday, 16. June 2014 - 13:03

Applications are currently being accepted for the 2014-2015 Vaclav Havel Journalism Fellowship (VHJF). The purpose of the Fellowship is to support aspiring journalists from countries lacking media freedom and independence to pursue their profession in support of pluralism. It is inspired by former Czech President Vaclav Havel's belief in the transformational role of journalism in challenging tyranny.

The Fellowship is a joint initiative of RFE/RL and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Czech Republic, and is generously supported by the Prague Freedom Foundation and the Dagmar and Vaclav Havel Foundation VIZE97.

Selected Fellows are placed with a language service at RFE/RL’s headquarters in Prague, where they receive on-the-job training and mentoring while working alongside RFE/RL’s seasoned professionals. The program will help position the selected Fellows both as standard-bearers of their profession and leaders in their communities, on-line, on air, and in the world.

Summary

The Vaclav Havel Journalism Fellowship is made up of five main components:

1. Professional development alongside RFE/RL’s seasoned professionals
2. On-the-job training, to include daily multi-media programming and reporting
3. New skills development
4. Participation in the daily editorial debates and discussions that inform a professional and independent press
5. Mentorship

The Fellowship also features workshops with experts on digital media, roundtables with journalists and policymakers, visits to local media and news agencies in Prague, and professional development opportunities abroad.

Fellows will be expected to represent themselves and the Fellowship in public events and discussions relating to media conditions in their country.

Fellowships are for a term of nine months, including one month spent at the beginning and end of the program at a local bureau. A monthly stipend, housing, and travel arrangements to and from Prague are provided.

Application Instructions

Fellowships are awarded on a competitive basis. A complete application includes the following information:

• Personal data
• Personal statement
• Work samples
• Two letters of recommendation
• Curriculum Vitae
• “Letter to Vaclav Havel”
• Copy of an English language certificate (optional)

In addition, please let us know how you learned about the Fellowship (e.g., RFE/RL’s website, Facebook, a professional or academic reference, etc.).

Application materials must be submitted in English. Candidates may be contacted and asked to participate in a telephone, Skype or in-person interview as part of the application process.

COMPLETED APPLICATIONS MUST BE RECEIVED AT havelfellowship@rferl.org BY 2400 CET, MONDAY, JULY 7, 2014. CANDIDATES WILL BE INFORMED OF THEIR SELECTION BY AUGUST 4, 2014.

PERSONAL DATA
*Name
*Email address
*Phone number
*Present address
*Permanent address

PERSONAL STATEMENT
Your personal statement is a very important part of your application, and will be thoroughly read and considered in the selection process. It should be written in English and not exceed 750 words. In your personal statement, please address your journalistic experience, including your reasons for pursuing journalism, the values and convictions that guide your work, experiences that have influenced your journalism, and what you hope to accomplish in your career. In addition, please explain your reasons for applying for the Vaclav Havel Journalism Fellowship, including how it relates to your professional development and what you hope to gain from it.

WORK SAMPLES
Please attach 3 work samples demonstrating your best professional work. At least one of the samples must have been published within the year of the Fellowship deadline. All samples must include a date and, if not in English, they must be accompanied by an English translation. If translations are not your own, please state otherwise.

TWO LETTERS OF RECOMMENDATION
Two letters of recommendation are required with your application. One of your letters should be from a current supervisor or colleague who practices journalism and knows you professionally. The writers should explain their relationship to you and describe your qualifications, potential for professional growth and development, and reasons that make you an excellent candidate for the Fellowship. The letter must be completed in English.

CURRICULUM VITAE
Please attach your updated curriculum vitae in English, including relevant employment experience and educational background (institutions, major/concentration, dates attended, and degree(s) awarded). Your CV should list your job history (name of employers and dates) since completing your formal education. Please also list any noteworthy distinctions or awards, and current or recent memberships in professional, political, or other groups. Please also state if you have received any type of certification (and at what level) as a learner of English as a foreign language.

“LETTER TO VACLAV HAVEL”
Havel wrote his “Letters to Olga” during his nearly four-year imprisonment in the late seventies. In this section, not to exceed 300 words, please be creative and imagine that you are writing to President Havel. What would you ask? What would you like to share about journalism in your country, freedom, democracy, human rights, etc.? (Selected Fellows may choose to elaborate on the ideas in this letter at the end of the program, when they will be expected to produce a final “Letter to Vaclav Havel,” an original, written, audio or multi-media work that reflects their experience during the Fellowship.)

Questions?
Please notify hokuvovaj@rferl.org and a coordinator will respond to you promptly.

Source: 
www.rferl.org
Tags: 
Czech Republic
Prague
Vaclav Havel Journalism Fellowship