UN Foundation Announces India-Based Press Fellowship Focusing on Global Health Challenges

The United Nations Foundation today announced a special fellowship for a select group of U.S.-based and international journalists from April 7-11 in New Delhi, India with field visits to surrounding provinces. The fellowship will provide journalists with the latest information on health challenges and solutions, with a particular focus on India’s success in eliminating polio, and the strategies and tools to combat the disease in the three remaining endemic countries.

In close coordination with UN agencies and partners with expertise on the ground, the fellowship will offer unparalleled, direct access to health workers, health experts and UN officials, as well as the opportunity to observe a national immunization campaign first-hand.

“Global health challenges are some of the most complex and important stories of our time.  How these issues come together in India provide an excellent opportunity for journalists to gain perspective and access to information that will assist in their reporting as these issues take center stage on the global agenda this year,” says Aaron Sherinian, Vice President of Communications and Public Relations at the UN Foundation.

With support from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, and with the collaboration of UN agencies and global health partners, this fellowship is designed to foster participants’ understanding of the issues surrounding international development and global health, and will provide the exclusive opportunity for fellows to participate in on-the-record issue briefings, roundtables, and conversations with experts and high-level officials.

This fellowship is intended for U.S.-based and international reporters who do not have regular access to key experts in India, but are interested in global health, international development, and the United Nations. Special consideration will be given to journalists whose portfolios include health or foreign affairs.

For more information about how to apply for the 2013 UN Foundation Global Health Fellowship Program, please visit: www.unfoundation.org/indiafellowship.  All applications are due by February 15, 2013.

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About United Nations Foundation
The United Nations Foundation builds public-private partnerships to address the world’s most pressing problems, and broadens support for the United Nations through advocacy and public outreach. Through innovative campaigns and initiatives, the Foundation connects people, ideas, and resources to help the UN solve global problems. The Foundation was created in 1998 as a U.S. public charity by entrepreneur and philanthropist Ted Turner and now is supported by global corporations, foundations, governments, and individuals.  For more information, visit www.unfoundation.org.