Tuesday, July 29, 2014

Mekong Matters: Workshop and Network for Development Journalists

Mekong Matters: Workshop and Network for Development Journalists 

 The rapid pace of development leading up to the the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) is creating opportunities for journalists to find innovative and important environmental, business, investment, health and culture stories. Are you a Mekong-area journalist who reports on social and environmental impacts of development projects such as dams, mines, roads, ports or economic land concessions? Mekong Partnership for the Environment (MPE) may have workshop, fellowship, resource and networking opportunities for you.

 

DEADLINE EXTENDED TO JULY 31

The Mekong Partnership for the Environment seeks journalists to participate in workshops and establish a network of Mekong journalists reporting on development issues. Participants will learn about social impacts, Environmental Impact Assessments (EIAs), investment, and investigative journalism. They will also help plan a Mekong journalist network reporting on these development issues and access other events and resources. Our first workshop is focused on finding story ideas using Environmental Impact Assessments (EIAs):

Workshop:
Mekong Matters: Reporting on Development Projects Using EIAs
When:
Sept 16-19 (3.5 days), with travel on Sept 15 and 19 or 20.
Where:
Chiang Mai, Thailand
Who:
Print, broadcast or social media journalists: Editors. Senior reporters. Environmental or business reporters. Citizen and social media journalists. From Cambodia, China, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand, Vietnam
Cost:
No cost. All travel and event costs will be sponsored by MPE.
Objectives:
Participants will learn how to:
  • Access and analyse EIAs for environment, business and other stories
  • Create human stories from EIA information and data
Participants will also:
  • Leave the workshop with real story ideas, outlines and/or sources
  • Take an investigative field trip to a real development project site
  • Discuss workshop and networking ideas for development journalists
  • Meet local environmental groups to get sources and story ideas
  • Access network news, map and data websites and story fellowships
  •  
  • Facilitators:

  • Jeff Rutherford: experienced journalism trainer with Internews, Thailand-based sustainability expert
  • James Fahn: UC Berkeley journalism lecturer, early innovator in Asian environmental reporting, Earth Journalism Network Director
  • EIA experts, local civil society organisations, Internews, Pact

How to apply:

  1. Log-in to the Earth Journalism website. If you are a new member, please register with you name and email here: http://earthjournalism.net/@@register
  2. Click the apply link below.
  3. Fill out all required questions, upload your letters of reference and work samples (all file formats are accepted).
  4. You can save your application and return to it if you can't finish it at one time. Just remember to bookmark the application in your web browser
  5. Submit the application for review when you are finished. Apply by July 31st.                    (Source: http://earthjournalism.net/)

First International Conference on Salween-Thanlwin-Nu Studies



Call for Papers: First International Conference on Salween-Thanlwin-Nu Studies

"State of Knowledge: Environmental Change, Livelihoods and Development"14-15 November 2014

Hosted by the Regional Centre for Social Science and Sustainable Development (RCSD), Faculty of Social Science, Chiang Mai University, Thailand.


Organized by the Salween-Thanlwin-Nu (STN) Studies Group

The conference will provide an opportunity for scholars, policy makers, community groups and civil society from Myanmar (Burma), Thailand, China and internationally to exchange information and to
learn from one another about critical environmental change, livelihoods and development issues in the Salween River Basin.

Shared between China, Myanmar, and Thailand, a range of cultural, biological, and socio-economic values are generated by the Salween River and its adjacent basin ecosystems; the river supports the livelihoods for more than six million people. At the same time, there are nowadays a range of Proposals for investment into the river basin, including plans for 20 large hydropower dams, which is being largely undertaken without comprehensive basin-wide assessment that considers the Cumulative impacts on ecosystem and existing local livelihoods.

The purposes of the conference are:
   - To address the lack of knowledge about the Salween at a basin-wide level by bringing together researchers from a range of disciplines and backgrounds to present work specifically within the framework of    "Salween-Thanlwin-Nu Studies."
   - To provide a forum where a wide range of environmental, social,  cultural and development issues related to the Salween River can be discussed amongst scholars, policy makers, community groups and civil society.
   - This conference will also launch the Salween-Thanlwin-Nu Studies Group, which aims to be a regional network of scholars, policy makers, community groups and civil society working on issues related to the Salween River.

We would like to invite interested participants to submit both individual papers and organized panels for consideration. Topics may include, but are not limited to:

   - River-related livelihoods and alternative or local knowledge
   - Political ecology and development
   - Indigenous knowledge, local research, and citizen science
   (participatory knowledge)
   - Geopolitics and environmental governance
   - Trans border decision-making and governance, including environmental
   and international law
   - Environmental Assessment - Transboundary EIA, Strategic Environmental
   Assessments, alternative tools
   - Human rights, corporate accountability, and regional development
   - Agrarian change/peasant studies, including water and land grabbing
   - Environmental science and geomorphology
   - Biodiversity and conservation
   - Climate and environmental change and adaptation
   - Political borders, boundaries and ecologies
   - Gender and development
   - Cultural politics of environment and development
   - Salween archaeologies and histories
   - Shan Studies - Ethnic Studies

Interested participants should submit a paper title and abstract with keywords (300 words maximum) along with brief biographical information (name, affiliation) by August 15, 2014. Please email submissions to the conference organizers at: 
salween.studies@gmail.com.







Non-English language panels may be accommodated. Please contact the organizers to discuss your requirements.

Successful candidates will be contacted by September 1, 2014. For those submitting papers, full papers should be submitted by November 1, 2014.

   - Publication Opportunity: One of the significant outcomes of this proposed meeting will include an edited volume of conference proceedings. This book will serve two purposes: it will serve as a baseline assessment of the state of knowledge, and it will provide a framework for future research about the Salween.
   - Field Trip: For interested conference participants, a field visit to the Salween River will be offered. Please indicate in your email if you are interested in this field trip opportunity.
   - Funding available: We will be able to offer travel funding to participants, especially those who are coming from China and Myanmar (Burma). We will also be able to offer accommodations for participants during the conference. Please indicate if you would like to be considered for travel funding.

More information and updates about the conference can be found on the RCSD
website:  
http://rcsd.soc.cmu.ac.th/v2012/news_detail.php?id=55

For all related inquiries, please contact 
salween.studies@gmail.com

National Geographic Young Explorers Grants


Applications accepted all year round

Young Explorers Grants (YEG) offer opportunities to individuals ages 18 to 25 to pursue research, conservation, and exploration-related projects consistent with National Geographic's existing grant programs, including: the Committee for Research and Exploration (CRE), the Expeditions Council (EC), and the Conservation Trust (CT). In addition, the YEG program recently teamed with the Luce Foundation to provide increased funding opportunities for fieldwork in 18 Northeast and Southeast Asian countries, including Brunei, Burma/Myanmar, Cambodia, China, East Timor, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Laos, Macau, Malaysia, Mongolia, Philippines, Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand, and Vietnam.

Eligibility

The Young Explorers Grants Program supports a variety of projects—and an age-range of applicants—that are generally not covered by other sources of funding.
Applicants are not required to have advanced degrees. However, a record of prior experience in the fields of research, conservation, or exploration should be submitted as it pertains to the proposed project.
Funding is not restricted to United States citizens—foreign nationals are invited to apply. Researchers planning work in countries abroad should make great effort to include at least one local collaborator as part of their team.

Where Should I Apply?

The Committee for Research and Exploration funds hypothesis-based scientific research. Consult the CRE website for more information on the fields of research funded.
The Conservation Trust funds innovative and applied approaches to conservation with potential for global application. Consult the CT website for more information on the types of projects funded.
The Expeditions Council funds exploration and adventure around the world. Consult the EC website for more information on the types of programs funded.

Grant Limits

Young Explorers Grants vary in amount depending on significance of the project, though most range between US $2,000 and $5,000 at the maximum. National Geographic Society funds often serve as

complementary support—thus the program encourages applicants to seek additional, concurrent funding from other sources.

Grant Restrictions

National Geographic Society grants may not be used for indirect costs, overhead, and other expenses not directly related to the project. Fringe benefits are also excluded, as are salaries.
Funds may not be used for travel to scientific/professional meetings or conferences, tuition, vacations, study abroad programs, volunteer activities, legal actions, land acquisition, endowments, construction of permanent field stations, or publication of research results.
Grant recipients are expected to provide the National Geographic Society with rights of first refusal for popular publication and other media coverage of their findings.
Obtaining an Application Form

Applying for a Young Explorers Grant is a two-step process.

First, you must submit a pre-application form online. If your pre-application is approved, you will be sent an email with a link and a password giving you access to our full application online.
Before you submit a pre-application, there are a few things you should take into consideration:

·         The pre-application form can be completed in multiple sessions. You will be allowed to save your work and complete it at another time.


·         You will be asked to upload an electronic copy of your curriculum vitae (CV) while completing the form. Instructions will be provided.


·         Please make sure that your browser is configured to receive cookies.


·         This system works best on Internet Explorer 5.5 and Netscape 6.0 or higher.


·         If you have any questions about the online pre-application form, consult our Frequently Asked Questions.


·         If you don't find the answer to your question, Please email the question to the fund you are applying to: cre@ngs.org, conservationtrust@ngs.org, orcouncil@ngs.org. Please remember to include Young Explorers Grant in the subject line.

·         The Young Explorers Grants Program accepts pre-applications throughout the year. Please submit your pre-application at least eight months prior to your field dates, at least six months for the Expeditions Council. If your application is approved—a decision which takes about eight weeks—the relevant grant program will send you an email with a link to the full application online. The names of three academic or professional references and a curriculum vitae are to be included with the full application.
If you are a resident of Northern Europe please apply to the Global Exploration Fund. Find out more and submit an application here.

 

VLIR-UOS scholarship




VLIR-UOS awards scholarships to students from 54 countries in Africa, Asia and Latin-America, to follow a training or master programme at a Flemish university or university college in Belgium. The training and master programmes are taught in English. They are designed to enable graduates to assume positions of responsibility in their country of origin.

The deadline for applications is determined by the programme. Check the list of eligible programmes 2014 to find out which calls for scholarships are currently open.

 You can apply for a scholarship by following the guidelines for application on the website of the training or master programme of your interest. In case of doubt, please contact the training or master programme.

The Asian peace builder scholarship (ASP)




Deadline: August 28, 2014

The Asian Peace builders Scholarship (APS), a Dual Campus Master of Arts Programme, is a shared initiative of The Nippon Foundation, the UN Mandated University for Peace (UPEACE), and Ateneo de Manila University (AdMU). The objective of the programme is to train young Asian professionals to become peace building practitioners, ready to take up leading positions in organisations across the globe.
The programme offers intensive, specialized language training to facilitate participation of professionals with lower levels of English proficiency, as well as the hands-on design and implementation of an intensive field project in Asia.  MA coursework in an area related to peace building (various specialisations available) and global politics are undertaken at UPEACE and AdMU respectively.
Description of the Scholarship
This 18 - 21 month (depending on English proficiency) intensive academic programme begins in March 2015 and is accomplished in five terms:
1.       Language training at AdMU in the Philippines (6 months for candidates with intermediate English, 3 months for candidates with advanced English).
2.       MA coursework at the UPEACE Campus in Costa Rica (various specialisations available).
3.       MA coursework at the AdMU campus in the Philippines.
4.       The implementation of a field project.
5.       MA coursework at AdMU campus in the Philippines.

Thirty admitted applicants will be granted a full scholarship, provided by The Nippon Foundation. This includes: all tuition fees, the language-training module, academic materials, air travel, living expenses and basic insurance during the period of studies.
The APS offers theoretical and practical post graduate education to young Asian professionals from diverse cultures and backgrounds, providing them with a deep understanding of the central issues of peace building. Participants will broaden their knowledge base and will be able to engage with the major concepts, themes and debates within peace studies, preparing themselves for work with NGOs, governments, aid agencies, the UN and other organizations.
Furthermore, this programme empowers participants to conceptualize the key challenges faced by the international community, as well as the most promising potential courses of action through an interdisciplinary and multicultural perspective.

For more information: http://www.upeace.org/academic/partnership-programmes/asia-peacebuilders-scholarship

Study Opportunities



Mekong Matters: Workshop and Network for Development Journalists

Deadline: July 31st 2014


The rapid pace of development leading up to the the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) is creating opportunities for journalists to find innovative and important environmental, business, investment, health and culture stories.

Are you a Mekong-area journalist who reports on social and environmental impacts of development projects such as dams, mines, roads, ports or economic land concessions? Mekong Partnership for the Environment (MPE) may have workshop, fellowship, resource and networking opportunities for you.

The Mekong Partnership for the Environment seeks journalists to participate in workshops and establish a network of Mekong journalists reporting on development issues. Participants will learn about social impacts, Environmental Impact Assessments (EIAs), investment, and investigative journalism. They will also help plan a Mekong journalist network reporting on these development issues and access other events and resources. Our first workshop is focused on finding story ideas using Environmental Impact Assessments (EIAs):
Workshop: Mekong Matters: Reporting on Development Projects Using EIAs
When: Sept 16-19 (3.5 days), with travel on Sept 15 and 19 or 20.
Where: Chiang Mai, Thailand
Who: Print, broadcast or social media journalists: Editors. Senior reporters. Environmental or business reporters. Citizen and social media journalists. From Cambodia, China, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand, Vietnam
Cost: No cost. All travel and event costs will be sponsored by MPE.
Objectives:Participants will learn how to:

·         Access and analyse EIAs for environment, business and other stories
·         Create human stories from EIA information and data
Participants will also:
·         Leave the workshop with real story ideas, outlines and/or sources
·         Take an investigative field trip to a real development project site
·         Discuss workshop and networking ideas for development journalists
·         Meet local environmental groups to get sources and story ideas
Access network news, map and data websites and story fellowships
Facilitators:
·         Jeff Rutherford: experienced journalism trainer with Internews, Thailand-based sustainability expert
·         James Fahn: UC Berkeley journalism lecturer, early innovator in Asian environmental reporting, Earth Journalism Network Director, EIA experts, local civil society organisations, Internews, Pact.

How to apply:

1.       Log-in to the Earth Journalism website. If you are a new member, please register with you name and email here: http://earthjournalism.net/@@register
2.       Click the apply link below.
3.       Fill out all required questions, upload your letters of reference and work samples (all file formats are accepted).
4.       You can save your application and return to it if you can't finish it at one time. Just remember to bookmark the application in your web browser
5.       Submit the application for review when you are finished. Apply by July 31st.

NEED-Burma


We are pleased to announce the opening of applications to the NEED-Burma’s Land, Law, and Economics Training (LLET) held in Chiang Mai. The 12 week training program begins on September 22nd and ends December 13th. It will cover a number of subjects including International Financial  

Institutions, Training of Trainers, Community Development, Economics and Globalization, Transitional Justice and Rule of Law, Peace Building, Human Rights, Organic Agriculture, Land Rights, and more.

We are accepting 15 – 19 students this round. We encourage all ages to apply. Ethnic minorities and females are also encouraged to apply. Visa’s and transportation costs will be coved by NEED-Burma for this training.
Space is limited so please apply early. We are accepting applications in Burmese and in English. For more information please visit us at www.NEED-Burma.org or e-mail with a subject LLET inquiry program@need-burma.org
  


Job Opportunities



Pyidaungsu Institute


Pyidaungsu Institute (PI) is now inviting applications to fill the following Positions in Yangon & Chiang Mai:
1. Senior Admin Officer, Yangon (1 post)
2. Admin Assistant, Yangon (1 post)
3. Lead Researcher, Yangon & Chiang Mai (3 posts)
4. Research Assistant, Yangon & Chiang Mai (5 posts)
5. Public Relations Officer (1 post)
6. IT Specialist (1 post)

 Interested and qualified candidates should submit the following
documents to info@pyidaungsuinstitute.org or yangon@pyidaungsuinstitute.org

IMPORTANT: Please make sure to write Job Code Number in the email subject line.
- Cover letter
- Update CV with experience and education credentials
- Brief biography
- Two reference letters
Only short-listed candidate will be invited for personal interviews

Senior Admin Officer, Yangon (1) post
(Job Code: PIYASA1401)

Qualification and Requirements
• Demonstrate good record in administrative management, finance, accounting
and/or relevant trainings and experiences in management
• Bachelor or Master Degree holder in management, and/or B.Com, LCCI level
(2) or (3) preferred
• Good interpersonal relations with people within and outside the Institute
• Good reporting and communication skills
• Good sense of self- initiative thinking and sound management
• Good spoken and written English and Myanmar
 • Ability to speak at least one ethnic language preferred
• Proficient in MS Office, Excel and Power Point
• Good and sensitive manner in working with different types of people
• Politically oriented and sensitive in dealing with different political
stakeholders in the peace process

2. Admin Assistant, Yangon (1) post
(Job Code: PIYAAA1401)

Qualification and Requirements
• Bachelor Degree and backgrounds in management, finance or accounting
studies, and/or relevant training and experience
• Certificate and diploma in accounting preferred
• Demonstrate motivation, self-initiative, creative discipline and punctuality
• Team spirit and attitude of service
• Good interpersonal relations with people within and outside the institute
• Good reporting and communication skills
• Good spoken and written English and Myanmar
• Ability to speak at least one ethnic language preferred
• Proficient in MS Office, Excel and Power Point
• Good and sensitive manner in working with different types of people

3. Lead Researcher, Yangon & Chiang Mai (3) posts
(Job Code: PIHRR1402)

Qualification and Requirements
• Professional research experiences in social research, including but not limited
to politics, economics, development, environment, and resource management
• MA and PhD degree holders or PhD Candidates are referred
• Highly creative, motivated and excellent team leader
• Excellent interpersonal relations with people within and outside the institute
• Mature personality with the ability to work in a team and in multicultural
settings
• Ability to handle demanding work environment with cross program
coordination
• Ability to meet the tight deadlines
• Excellent writing skills in English and/or Burmese
• Both Myanmar and non-Myanmar citizens are encouraged to apply
• Good and sensitive manner in working with different types of people
 • Politically oriented and sensitive in dealing with different political
stakeholders in the peace process

Main Tasks

• Desk research and primary research on selected topics
• Prepare summaries and research reports on demand
• Develop, lead and train respective research team members
• Organize research meetings
• Provide various research-related and technical supports to PI Yangon and
Chiang Mai offices and partner organizations in facilitating the peace process
• Support programming and coordination of projects and events in coordination
with partner institutions when necessary.

4. Research Assistant, Yangon & Chiang Mai (5) post
(Job Code: PIHRR1403)

Qualification and Requirements
• Minimum Bachelor degree in social studies
• Basic training and experience in data collection and report writing
• Mature personality with the ability to work in a team and flexibility, critical
thinking and analytical skills
• Highly creative, motivated and excellent team player
• Excellent interpersonal relations with people within and outside the institute
• Ability to speak, read and write English and Burmese
• Ability to speak at least one ethnic language preferred
• Ability to handle stressful working environment and meet the tight deadlines.
• Ability to use Microsoft Office products, including Word and E-mail/Internet
software
• Good and sensitive manner in working with different types of people
• Politically oriented and sensitive in dealing with different political
stakeholders in the peace process

Main Tasks

• Assist Lead Researcher of relevant research team in terms of research, report
writing and research meetings
• Desk and primary research on assigned research topics
• Mobilize and develop knowledge resources on assigned topics
• Provide various supports to PI and partner organizations in facilitating the
peace process
• Provide translation and summary of research materials

5. Public Relations Officer, Yangon (1) post
(Job Code PIHRPR1401)

Qualification and Requirements
• Bachelor’s degree in the fields of public relations and/or mass communications
• Graduate degree holder in the fields of communications/public relations
preferred
• Excellent communication skills both orally and in writing
• Excellent interpersonal skills
• Good computer/internet skills
• Presentation skills
• Initiative and creative
• Ability to prioritize and plan effectively

Main Tasks

• Plan, develop and implement PR strategies
• Plan and supervise the production of visual, audio and electronic materials
including website
• Organize special events including press conferences, exhibitions, public
information sessions, and press tours
• Research, prepare and distribute press releases and relevant information to the
media, public and political communities
• Analyze media coverage
• Foster relations with political communities, civil society organizations, the
media and communities

6. IT Specialist, Yangon & Chiang Mai (1) post
(Job Code PIHRIT1401)

Qualification and Requirements
• Academic background and practical experience in information management
system including Database systems
• Demonstrated working knowledge of hardware, networking, and information
architecture
• Academic background and practice experience in information management
system including Database systems

Main Tasks

• Develop and maintain information architectures including database and
security system
• Develop and maintain library database
• Setup, manage and maintain IT-related equipment
• Computer hardware, software and networking supports