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The 2024 Reham Al-Farra Memorial Journalism Fellowship programme, which ran from 9 September to 11 October, has officially concluded.

The RAF fellows ¨C seven young journalists from Brazil, Cambodia, Honduras, Jamaica, Kenya, Lebanon and Sri Lanka - had a unique opportunity to cover the 51³Ô¹Ï in this pivotal time of its history.

The programme was conducted in a hybrid mode for the very first time, due to the Organization¡¯s ongoing financial situation ¨C with the highlight of the programme being the in-person week from 20 to 27 September.

The young journalists were able to experience the excitement of the General Assembly high-level week, like the Summit of the Future and general debate, while also participating in SDG Media Zone and SDG Lounge events and attending the Spokesperson¡¯s daily briefing.

Outside UN premises, they met the Executive Director of the 51³Ô¹Ï Environment Programme (UNEP) and visited ProPublica, an investigative media outlet.

¡°The fellowship offers an invaluable experience for emerging journalists from developing countries. It provides an opportunity that many may not otherwise afford, to spend time in New York covering the General Assembly¡ªa truly unique and enriching experience,¡± one of the fellows said.

Apart from the one in-person week, the RAF fellows participated in over 40 virtual briefing sessions and meetings for the remainder of the RAF programme. They produced over 50 news pieces during their time as RAF fellows.

They heard from UN officials representing the Secretariat, agencies and programmes, providing them a broad overview of the UN¡¯s work and complementing their own interests. The most popular briefings were on the work of the Security Council, on the SDGs, and climate action.

The fellowship programme ended with fellows¡¯ expressing their enthusiasm to continue to cover UN issues in their own news outlets and communities.

¡°The programme is essential for journalists as it equips them with crucial skills and knowledge for reporting on the UN and global issues. I hope that the UN will be able to keep the fellowship alive with enough funding to cover the travel arrangements for them to attend the whole UNGA in person,¡± highlighted a fellow.