Applications are open for Future News Worldwide 2019, a prestigious international conference for the next generation of journalists.
Run by the British Council in partnership with some of the world's leading media organisations, the event offers 100 fully-funded places to the brightest young student bloggers, vloggers, photojournalists and reporters from across the globe to take part in a two-day event held at Thomson Reuters headquarters in London this July.
With contributions from leading media organisations such as CNN, Reuters, Google News Initiative, Facebook and UK Schools of Journalism, the conference is a once-in-a lifetime opportunity for the next generation of top journalists to hone their skills and make global connections.
Last year’s event, which featured delegates from 50 countries, included students from both Ulster University and Belfast Metropolitan College who met with some of the most experienced and respected international editors, broadcasters and reporters. Speakers included BBC News presenter and former BBC China Editor, Carrie Gracie; Reuters Global News Editor, Alessandra Galloni; and Yusuf Omar of Hashtag Our Stories.
Future News Worldwide 2019 will offer an equally rich and packed programme for the next generation of news makers and content creators. Judging by last year’s entries, which saw over 2500 applications received, competition for places will be strong.
Jake Williamson, who now works as a trainee journalist for BBC Northern Ireland, was studying for an HND in Broadcast Journalism at Belfast Metropolitan’s E3 campus when he took part in the programme and is now encouraging other budding journalists to apply.
He said: “I applied for the programme as felt that it would be a really great opportunity to meet new people from other backgrounds and network with other young journalists. Before I went, I was living in a bit of a Northern Ireland bubble and it was great to see a lot more diversity in the newsroom and understand things from other perspectives.
“I’m only starting my journalism career, so the conference not only confirmed that journalism is for me, but has also given me a lot more confidence and helped me believe I’m every bit as good as everyone else. Since then, I’ve gone on to work as a trainee at BBC News and I would say Future News Worldwide was a great help in chasing this career.'
The opportunity is available to undergraduate and postgraduate students from any country, as well as recent graduates who will be aged 18-25 years old on 1 July 2019. Applicants need to demonstrate that they are passionate about following a career in journalism.
Applications can be made by visiting www.britishcouncil.org/future-news-worldwide.
The deadline for applications is 21 March 2019 at 12 noon.
The British Council is the UK’s leading cultural relations organisation. For more information on current opportunities in Northern Ireland, visit nireland.britishcouncil.org, or follow on Twitter: @BCouncil_NI