The 6th Senior Journalists Seminar is a dialogue, travel and exchange program for journalists from the United States and Asian countries with substantial Muslim populations, specifically Afghanistan, Bangladesh, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Pakistan, the Philippines, Singapore and Thailand. The seminar offers an opportunity for senior writers, reporters, editors, columnists and producers to engage their peers on issues in the relationships between these Asian countries and the United States, especially since 9/11.

Theme:  Bridging Gaps Between the United States and the Asian Muslim World

The purposes of this Seminar are to:

• Provide opportunities for Asian and United States journalists to meet and discuss issues which appear to have caused deterioration in the traditionally good relationships between Asian countries with large Muslim populations and the United States, especially since 9/11.
• Explore these issues with government officials, diplomats, community leaders, religious authorities and others active in the dialogue on Asian-U.S. relations.
• Address with journalists from Asia and the United States political and cultural challenges faced by professional journalists in reporting on and commenting on issues in contemporary Asian-U.S. relations. 

Program Dates:  March 15 - April 4, 2009

Study Tour for Asian Journalists:  Washington, DC; Nashville, Tennessee; Los Angeles, California

Study Tour for American Journalists:  Islamabad, Pakistan; Singapore; Johor, Malaysia

The program opens and concludes in Honolulu, Hawaii, for joint sessions between Asian and American participants

Who May Apply:  Working print, broadcast and online journalists with 10 years or more of experience from Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Brunei, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Pakistan, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and the United States.

Application Deadline:  Wednesday, October 1, 2008

Funding:  Roundtrip airfare for the study tour, lodging and a per diem are provided.  Selected participants are responsible for their own visa fees and roundtrip airfare from their home city to Honolulu, where the study tour opens and concludes. 

Applicants must submit the two-page Senior Journalism Seminar application form and all of the following:

• A brief cover letter letter outlining your interest, a brief description of your news organization, and what you expect to accomplish if an award is granted. (one page only)
  
• Two page Resume or CV including professional and educational background. Please note that only the first two pages will be printed for consideration by the selection committee.
• Writing sample not to exceed 1000 words. This could be a previously published article related to the seminar theme (local language pieces need to be accompanied by an English translation) or an essay specially written for the application addressing the seminar theme.
• Names, addresses, phone/fax numbers and e-mail of three people who may be contacted by the Center as references. Two of these references should be people outside your news organization. 
• A letter of recommendation on official letterhead from your supervisor describing your suitability for the Seminar and the benefit the organization hopes to derive from your participation in the program.

Program and Application Downloads:

Fillable MS Word version of application form


Application deadline is Wednesday, October 1, 2008. Applications may be sent by post, fax or email. Contact details are as follows:

Senior Journalists Seminar
East-West Seminars
East-West Center
1601 East-West Road
Honolulu, Hawai‘i  96848-1601, U.S.A.
Phone: 808-944-7682; Fax: 808-944-7600
E-mail: JournalismFellowship@eastwestcenter.org

Liz A. Dorn
Seminar Specialist, Seminars
East-West Center
1601 East West Road
Honolulu, HI  96848  USA
Phone: (808) 944-7368
Fax: (808) 944-7600
Email: dorne@eastwestcenter.org