Applications are open for Future News Worldwide 2020, 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 Sky Central - the global headquarters of the Sky Group in Isleworth London in July 2020.
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 Queen’s University Belfast, who met with some of the most experienced and respected international editors, broadcasters and reporters. The event took place at Reuters HQ, with speakers including Jon Snow, Channel Four; Christina Lamb, Chief Foreign Correspondent for the Sunday Times; Head of Global News Desk for Reuters Nick Tattersall, and Sreenivasan Jain, Managing Editor New Delhi Television.
Future News Worldwide 2020 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 3000 applications received, competition for places will be strong.
Joanna Hynds, who now works in London for the international news network, CNN, was studying for a master’s in Journalism at Ulster University when she took part in last year’s programme.
She said: “The experience was an incredible and accelerating few action-packed days surrounded by vastly intellectual professionals and vibrant young students from every inch of the globe. It was a privilege to be picked out of 3,000 applicants, and be there to represent Northern Ireland.
“It will be one of my most valued opportunities I seized as a journalism student. Beyond learning a lot of skills, I took away a golden ticket that would make my CV stand out and be a great talking point in interviews. The opportunity even encouraged me to apply for jobs in London and I’m now working for one of the biggest news companies in the world - CNN.”
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 2020. 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 Friday, February 14 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