Search for Common Ground (SFCG) requests submissions for its annual Eliav-Sartawi Awards for Middle East Journalism, which recognise articles that contribute to better understanding between people and to encouraging political dialogue in the Middle East.
Opinion articles under 1,000 words submitted in Arabic, English or Hebrew will be reviewed by a panel of international judges. Winners of the competition will be invited to attend an award ceremony in Jerusalem in November 2009 and will receive a monetary prize of $1,000 (USD).
Opinion articles must have been originals when published between 1 July 2008 and 30 June 2009 in a recognised media outlet. Each individual applicant is invited to submit one article for consideration. Media outlets and press clubs may nominate up to three articles for consideration.
The following criteria will be considered by the judges when selecting submitted articles:
Does the article address societal, national or regional issues related to the Middle East?
Does the language in the article reflect on, or give voice to, multiple points of view?
Does the article suggest, explicitly or implicitly, ways of better managing conflict or working towards a constructive solution of the issue addressed?
Are issues handled in a self-reflective way that helps broaden self-understanding? Does the article acknowledge the needs, experiences, histories, values, emotions and/or beliefs of those involved, even those with whom the author disagrees?
Is the topic of the article distinctive? Does it raise questions that are not commonly discussed in the media? Does the article address issues in a timely manner and invite further discussion around them?
Does the article display skilful writing and reporting? Is there clarity and strength of message? Is the style thought provoking? Moving?
SFCG reserves the right to submit articles for the judges’ consideration that meet the competition’s criteria. SFCG also assumes the right to reproduce the winning articles or portions thereof. Application materials will not be returned.
Please send submissions (original or quality copy of published article) for the 2009 awards competition before 15 July 2009 to Search for Common Ground; email: awardsme2009@sfcg.org; fax +972 (2) 582 0117.
Questions? Please call SFCG’s Jerusalem office: +972-(0)2-581-2049 or email Rami Assali: rassali@sfcg.org (English/Arabic) or Keren Hendin: khendin@sfcg.org(English/Hebrew).
