Deadline: 30-Sep-22

Travel & Accommodation Grant Scheme for Journalists to attend the World Science Forum & Pre-Workshops in Cape Town, South Africa from Saturday 3rd to Saturday 10th December, 2022.

Media travel grants are sponsored by the Fonds de Recherche du Québec in partnership with the International Network for Governmental Science Advice.

Media accommodation grants are sponsored by the South African Ministry of Higher Education, Science & Technology.

One of WSF2022’s main objectives is to support the profession of science journalism in these quite difficult economic times. Academic courses on science journalism and mentoring programs run by media volunteers are becoming increasingly few and far between. Particularly in the ‘global south’, where issues of great pride and importance to local, national and regional peoples are all too often a ‘hard sell’ to more international media markets, the WSF2022 theme of Science for Social Justice strikes a definite chord.

Purpose

Created by the Department of Science & Technology (DST) of the government of South Africa, the annual Science Forum South Africa (SFSA) meeting is the largest pan-African general science gathering dedicated to scientific research and innovation. The two-and-a-half-day program held each December in Pretoria brings more than 3500 participants together for discussion and debate in plenary sessions, panel discussions and interactive talks.

The large exhibition space, where demonstration events are regularly held, allied to a strong social programme, enhances this ‘melting pot’ of ideas, cultures, experiences and connections that past delegate feedback recognizes as the hallmark of Science Forum South Africa.

Themes

When preparing your short motivation statement about what this conference and social justice means to you, the following themes may provide some guidance as to your specific interest areas and speakers you might like to meet:

• Shaping Humanity- how social sciences shape our human experiences and behaviors to improve the quality of life for all human beings, and the world we live in, including a better understanding of what is required to uplift people in a sustainable manner.
• Preparing people for the knowledge economy- The attitudes, education, experience, and abilities required individually and collectively to succeed in the knowledge economy, with a specific focus on achieving gender and racial balance in an optimal functioning system of innovation.
• Open science and open innovation for Africa’s development- What the impact will be on Africa’s development if a concerted drive were made to intensify collaboration among all stakeholders in the scientific and innovation enterprise, including through the enhanced dissemination and sharing of research results to maximize impact .
• Science transforming society- How science, technology and innovation is changing society, how it is contributing to the improvement of the quality of life of all citizens and how they ensure ethical considerations are addressed and science-driven development is equitable and sustainable.
• A Better World- The sustainable solutions that science, technology and innovation can provide to global challenges like poverty, inequality, inclusive development and a secure society, with an emphasis on the value of enhanced international collaboration in addressing these shared global challenges.
• Innovation shaping the industry of tomorrow- How the exponential pace of progress in science, technology and innovation is disrupting every industry in every country and how the so-called fourth industrial revolution will fundamentally alter the way everybody live, work, and relate to one another.

Benefits

In addition to ample interviewing opportunities and a reserved media working area, successful candidates will be provided with:

• Bed & breakfast at a WSF2022 approved hotel;
• Free accommodation from 3 – 10 December, subject to flight options and media side trip planning;
• Free conference registration;
• Free access to all program and side-event activities;

Free onsite catering when offered by organizers or partners.

Eligibility Criteria

• Any science-interested journalist, irrespective of their gender, age, nationality, place of residence and media (paper, radio, TV, web) are welcome to apply.
• Media accreditation will be required, as will proof of recent work and an intention or commission to cover the conference programme.
• Candidates will also be asked to provide a few simple lines as to what the conference theme of science for social justice might mean to them. As a legacy of WSF2022, it is hoped that social justice might also better inform and become more prevalent in scientific coverage worldwide.

For more information, visit https://wfsj.org/news/world-science-forum-wsf/