Call for Applications: Scholarships for Journalists to Attend Moscow AIDS Conference

The Hungarian Civil Liberties Union (HCLU), a grantee of the OSI Global Drug Policy Program, invites applications for its media scholarship initiative, which aims to catalyze media attention on the problems related to harm reduction and drug policy in Russia. The scholarship will cover the travel and accommodation costs for journalists to attend and report on the Eastern European and Central Asia AIDS Conference, to be held in Moscow, October 28-30, 2009.

Why Is This Event Important?

Russia has the fastest growing HIV epidemic in the world, and most new HIV infections are related to the sharing of injection equipment - thus, the lack of harm reduction programs. Recently an article published in The Lancet described the desperate situation of HIV prevention programs in Russia: despite of declarations made last year, the government decided to stop funding those initiatives that were established through the Global Fund's support.

This means that millions of drug users and sex workers will stay without lifesaving services such as needle exchange and condom distribution. Moreover methadone substitution, a common form of treatment of heroin addiction in Europe, is still illegal in Russia (view the HCLU film about this issue). International media attention can significantly contribute to changing the attitudes of the Russian government.

Funding

The HCLU will provide 10 scholarships for a selected group of journalists who work for relevant media sources in Europe, and are capable of producing a printed, broadcasted or online report. The amount of the scholarship is 1600 Euros to cover the travel costs to Moscow and back, plus the accommodation costs in Moscow. In addition, when you are in Moscow, our colleagues can provide you technical assistance to identify subjects for interviews and/or any information needed.

To Apply

Review the conference website to find information on how to register as a press representative. If you can fulfill the requirements of the registration, please send us a scanned or faxed copy of your valid press card (national or international) and a written statement signed by your editor, declaring that your article/report will be published in case you receive a scholarship. The application deadline is Friday, October 16, so please consider this  an urgent call for proposals!

Please keep in mind that Russia requires a visa from most countries, so you will need to consult the Russian embassy in your country.

To Submit Applications

Applications should be sent via email to sarosip@tasz.hu or by fax to +36 1 279-0755.

Deadline

Friday, October 16, 2009

The Hungarian Civil Liberties Union is a nonprofit human rights watchdog NGO established in Budapest, Hungary, in 1994. It is a law reform and legal defense public benefit organization that works independently of political parties, the state, or any of its institutions.