MALARIA CONSORTIUM AND THE GUARDIAN INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT JOURNALISM COMPETITION

London: Malaria Consortium (MC), the leading malaria non-governmental organisation in Europe, is teaming up with The Guardian newspaper and seven other organisations to launch a unique journalism competition.

The Guardian International Development Journalism Competition was launched today with the financial support of the Department for International Development (DFID). Douglas Alexander, International Development Secretary, says he is looking forward to this competition motivating a new generation of journalists that want to write about some of the most important global issues facing the developing world today.

"They will play a key role in helping to raise awareness and understanding among the UK public of the complexity of development issues, explaining how people are connected with people living on the other side of the globe," said the Secretary of State, "and, crucially, encouraging us all to play a part in reducing global poverty. I encourage aspiring journalists to come forward and take part in this exciting competition."

"Malaria Consortium is proud to be involved in this new and exciting competition together with DFID and The Guardian," said Sunil Mehra, MC Executive Director. "By involving journalists, this project will represent an important platform to increase awareness, commitment and support for international efforts to reduce poverty, tackle communicable diseases such as HIV and malaria and ultimately the promotion of the Millennium Development Goals."

The other NGO partners in the project are Camfed International, HelpAge International, International HIV/AIDS Alliance, Marie Stopes International, Plan UK, Sightsavers International and WaterAid.

For more details of the competition, visit www.guardian.co.uk/developmentcompetition. The deadline for entries is 6th May 2008.

For more information about Malaria Consortium's involvement, go to http://www.malariaconsortium.org/pages/guardiandevelopmentcompetition.html


Contact: Delphine Valette, International Advocacy Coordinator at Malaria Consortium

Tel: 020 7549 0218 Email: [email protected]