After four years, the Reham al-Farra Memorial Journalism Fellowship (RAF) returns to New York in its original, in-person format. Taking place at UNHQ from 13 to 29 September 2023, the 2023 Programme will feature twelve Fellows who are carefully selected from the 2021 and 2022 virtual Fellowships. Coming from diverse geographical backgrounds that straddle the Caribbean, Latin America, Sub-Saharan Africa, South Asia and Southeast Asia, they specialize in print media (both traditional and digital), TV and radio.
This return to the in-person format signifies the continuing commitment of the Fellowship to its founding mission, as mandated by the General Assembly: to bring talented, young journalists and broadcasters from developing countries to the UN to cover the annual General Debates, and to raise the awareness and perception of the Organization's work through their in-depth reporting.
Having previously experienced the RAF virtually, this year is Fellows' chance to witness with their own eyes the opening sessions of the 78th General Assembly and other summits in the High-Level Week. During the three-week journey, they will also participate in or cover a myriad of activities, including the SDG Media Zone and SDG Pavilion, exclusive interviews with senior UN officials, background briefings with UN experts on a wide range of work carried by the Organization, and outside visits to media outlets and universities in New York City.
Expectations of our incoming RAF Fellows are high; to them, this is not just a simple trip to see the UN in New York. "I'm beyond honored by the opportunity to observe, learn and discuss the most pressing issues of our international community, to which freedom of press is key in building a free and just society," said Mariana Ara¨²jo, a Fellow from Brazil who took part in the 2022 virtual programme. The annual General Debates are considered "the Super Bowl of diplomacy", in the words of Redwan Ahmed, a 2021 Fellow from Bangladesh, and Fellows, like Deandre Williamson (Bahamas, Class of 2021) plan to maximize their RAF Fellowship experience to the fullest "by seeking exclusive stories from the 51³Ô¹Ï during the General Assembly."
For Tharanya Arumugam, a 2022 Fellow from Malaysia, their work should transcend existing "surface-level narratives" about the UN: "I am eager to deliver in-depth reporting that... [encapsulates] the very essence of UNGA 78 deliberations."
Soon, our 2023 Fellows - seven women and five men - will arrive at New York and get to work on their special assignments at UNHQ. Challenging but engaging tasks lie ahead, and we wish them all the best!