Red Cross to give awards for humanitarian reporting
Journalists covering conflict situations are invited to submit entries for the first Red Cross Awards for Humanitarian Reporting.
Organized by the International Committee of the Red Cross or ICRC in partnership with the Philippine National Red Cross, the award, said the news release, will recognize “stories that best illustrate the humanitarian consequence of armed conflicts.” The call for entries started on August 12, coinciding with the international humanitarian law day.
The Switzerland-based ICRC is an independent organization that protects civilians, prisoners of war, refugees and other people caught in armed conflicts, pursuant to the Geneva Conventions of 1949. The 1949 Conventions, signed by 149 countries including the Philippines, included the provision to protect civilian and non-fighting entities (e.g. wounded and sick armed men) from the atrocities of war within and among countries.
In the Philippines, the ICRC has a delegation of 149 staff members, holding offices in Manila, Davao, Cotabato, Zamboanga and Tacloban. The ICRC has been supporting the PNRC in local humanitarian work.
Professional and freelance journalists working for any print, online, radio or television outfits may send published or aired material: news reports, feature articles or documentaries. Entries must highlight the consequences of armed conflict. Interested participants around the country may send their entries in any of the following schools:
Northern and Central Luzon: Central Luzon State University, Muñoz, Nueva Ecija
Metro Manila and Southern Luzon: St. Scholastica’s College Manila
Visayas: Cebu Technological University, Cebu City
Mindanao: Xavier University, Cagayan de Oro City
Entries must be published or aired between Aug. 12, 2010 and March 12, 2011. Each entry must have three copies authenticated by the organization where it appeared.
The International Safety Institute (INSI), Peace and Conflict Journalism Network (Pecojon) Phillippines, Philippine Association of Communication Educators (PACE) and Rotary Club of Manila (RCM) are supporting the project. Representatives from the partner organizations: INSI Consultant for Asia Pacific Red Batario, Pecojon Philippines Project Head Charlie Saceda, PACE President Flordeliz Abanto and former Press Secretary and RCM Journalism Awards Chair Rod Reyes, will sit as panel of judges.
Awardees will each be given a plaque, digital recorder, books and trainings on international humanitarian law and conflict reporting. Entries may be submitted until March 12, 2011. Winners will be chosen from 32 finalists. Winners will be announced on Red Cross Day, May 8, 2011.
For more information on the Red Cross Awards, contact Allison Lopez, ICRC communication officer, at 0908.8686884, or send an e-mail.
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