ADB opens journalism awards

The Asian Development Bank Institute today formally opened the 2012 Developing Asia Journalism Awards (DAJA) competition with a call for submissions of articles by journalists working in developing Asia and the Pacific.

"The DAJA competition is a unique opportunity to highlight the significant contribution of journalism and individual journalists to the development process in Asia," said Masahiro Kawai, dean and chief executive officer the Asian Development Bank Institute, in opening the competition.

DAJA 2012 has focused on ‘Green Growth – or Growth versus Green?’

"The choices are not easy. Economic growth is important. It creates jobs and raises resources to fund education, health, and other social programs critical to long-term development. But a business-as-usual scenario is no longer viable. Asia needs to find a new, sustainable way to grow and develop," he said. "We hope the DAJA competition can explore this complex challenge through the work of journalists who are trying to understand and explain such issues better every day."

According to ADB, journalists are invited to submit published articles in climate change -- droughts, flooding, sea-level rise, -- energy use/efficiency; renewable energy; water, waste, and forest management; sustainable transport; pollution; urban development; and others.

Journalists of the region can submit their articles to DAJA 2012 till 31 August 2012. ADB will jury will select 25 finalists to participate in DAJA forum held in November 2012 in Tokyo. Cash prizes will be awarded to one Winner, one First Runner-up, one Second Runner-up and a journalist below 30 years will get Young Development Journalist of the Year.