UCIP

1. Introduction

Summer University is a highly sought-after formation programme, attracting journalists, publishers, professors of communication and other media professionals. We enjoy the support of our many members, friends, patrons and agencies, who have helped us to offer this programme since 1988. The Summer University is designed for active and dynamic journalists under 40. During the two- to four-week programme, a maximum of 24 reporters from all parts of the world learn about a continent unfamiliar to them: its history, people, cultures, religion and society.

2. Aims

Exposure to another continent

True understanding of a new country requires time and experience. Journalists need exposure to a country to allow them to understand its complexities and report objectively about it. The Summer University enables journalists to achieve a deeper understanding of a new country or continent, its society and history, culture, economic development, politics, media, ethics, and religions. This will allow participants to report on events in a way that sheds new light on the subject and frees them from dependence on international news agencies.

Building solidarity among media professionals

The Summer University is an opportunity to meet journalists from all over the world and build up a network of contacts. Young journalists from a mixture of backgrounds and countries can learn a lot from each other and such an encounter can be a great source of support and education. The contacts built up through the Summer University form an information network based on mutual respect regardless of difference. The Summer University is also a serious attempt to understand the world we live in and face the challenge of promoting responsible journalism.

A pioneer in education

The Summer University, with its intense curriculum and wide range of subjects, offers a more diverse and practical education than a formal university programme. Professor William Thorn's lecture during the Summer University in Canada and USA was a distillation of the programme he runs for full-time students. During Summer University in India and Pakistan, Mrs Joytsna Chatterji's lecture on Women summarised a course that would normally be spread over a whole term at the University of Delhi. Likewise, Professor Paul Roth gave an efficient overview of Communism in Europe.

Respectability to journalists worldwide

The Summer University also aims to lend respectability to journalists from developing nations who risk being dismissed as second-class citizens. Besides most of the educational programmes in the so called rich countries are shaped to keep up their on interests worldwide. Such educational system is corrupt, unjust and dehumanising. The Summer University brings together professionals from around the globe on an equal basis. It is a forum where they can swap experiences and opinions in a neutral climate, allowing them to understand the challenges faced by their colleagues. The event treats all participating journalists equally. By enabling journalists from developing nations to avoid the need to study at universities abroad, we hope to help these nations to improve their educational infrastructure.

3. Main Themes

Journalists tackle many themes to get a thorough knowledge of the major issues faced by their host countries and the surrounding region.

Society: culture, customs, taboos, minorities and ethnic groups.

Political Systems: Government, parliament and electoral system; Politics on a day-to-day basis; Democracy in the host countries and region; Recent developments; Impact and consequences of the political system.

Economy: Situation of the host countries and their neighbours; Efforts to compete in the international market, successes and failures; New trends and efforts to cope with globalisation; Aspirations of people in urban and rural settings; Opinions of local political and religious leaders

Media: publishing, broadcasting, encounters with editors and journalists, media training, press freedom, censorship, the future of the press amidst growing concerns about widening gap between rich and poor.

Children: the situation of children, development projects, education and skills.
Religion: the influence of religion; how faith shapes lives; new evangelical religions, interfaith relations, religious conflict and repression.

Human rights: Violations carried out at state or local level; Organisations working in these areas; What can be done to improve the situation?

Refugees: Causes behind the migration of large numbers of people from their homes; Consequences on society, politics and the refugees themselves.

History: A proper understanding of the background to a country always throws light on the current situation.

4. Candidates and Qualifications

- Professional journalist with solid experience
- Good knowledge of English, the working language of the programme
- Readiness to share the Summer University experience with fellow journalists in a spirit of friendship and equality
- Aged under 40
- Other than in exceptional circumstances journalists who have already participated in a former Summer University cannot apply again.

5. Local Organisation

Our organisers include media professionals, citizens, experts in various fields including culture, society, politics, economy and religion as well as state and religious authorities. Groups of organisers will be formed in the host countries.

6. Challenges ahead

Increasingly we live in a world shaped by technological advances. It is now possible for journalists to stay behind their desks and investigate entire stories using their telephone and the Internet. Gone is much of the incentive to travel to war zones and file stories from the field.

But the colour, grit and immediacy of reportage are missing from stories written and researched in the office. It is impossible for a journalist to give an authentic account of a situation without experiencing it and talking to the people involved. Any report will benefit immeasurably from the journalist's own impressions and first hand descriptions. The Summer University responds to this requirement, giving a chance to journalists who may otherwise not get the opportunity to travel and learn more about a continent which interests them professionally. It is the best way in which we can help them to answer the urgent need for responsible, well-informed journalism.

		A learning programme for young and dynamic journalists worldwide

		1. Introduction Summer University is a highly sought-after formation programme, attracting journalists, publishers, professors of communication and other media professionals. We enjoy the support of our many members, friends, patrons and agencies, who have helped us to offer this programme since 1988. The Summer University is designed for active and dynamic journalists under 40. During the two- to four-week programme, a maximum of 24 reporters from all parts of the world learn about a continent unfamiliar to them: its history, people, cultures, religion and society. 2. Aims Exposure to another continent True understanding of a new country requires time and experience. Journalists need exposure to a country to allow them to understand its complexities and report objectively about it. The Summer University enables journalists to achieve a deeper understanding of a new country or continent, its society and history, culture, economic development, politics, media, ethics, and religions. This will allow participants to report on events in a way that sheds new light on the subject and frees them from dependence on international news agencies. Building solidarity among media professionals The Summer University is an opportunity to meet journalists from all over the world and build up a network of contacts. Young journalists from a mixture of backgrounds and countries can learn a lot from each other and such an encounter can be a great source of support and education. The contacts built up through the Summer University form an information network based on mutual respect regardless of difference. The Summer University is also a serious attempt to understand the world we live in and face the challenge of promoting responsible journalism. A pioneer in education The Summer University, with its intense curriculum and wide range of subjects, offers a more diverse and practical education than a formal university programme. Professor William Thorn's lecture during the Summer University in Canada and USA was a distillation of the programme he runs for full-time students. During Summer University in India and Pakistan, Mrs Joytsna Chatterji's lecture on Women summarised a course that would normally be spread over a whole term at the University of Delhi. Likewise, Professor Paul Roth gave an efficient overview of Communism in Europe. Respectability to journalists worldwide The Summer University also aims to lend respectability to journalists from developing nations who risk being dismissed as second-class citizens. Besides most of the educational programmes in the so called rich countries are shaped to keep up their on interests worldwide. Such educational system is corrupt, unjust and dehumanising. The Summer University brings together professionals from around the globe on an equal basis. It is a forum where they can swap experiences and opinions in a neutral climate, allowing them to understand the challenges faced by their colleagues. The event treats all participating journalists equally. By enabling journalists from developing nations to avoid the need to study at universities abroad, we hope to help these nations to improve their educational infrastructure. 3. Main Themes Journalists tackle many themes to get a thorough knowledge of the major issues faced by their host countries and the surrounding region. Society: culture, customs, taboos, minorities and ethnic groups. Political Systems: Government, parliament and electoral system; Politics on a day-to-day basis; Democracy in the host countries and region; Recent developments; Impact and consequences of the political system. Economy: Situation of the host countries and their neighbours; Efforts to compete in the international market, successes and failures; New trends and efforts to cope with globalisation; Aspirations of people in urban and rural settings; Opinions of local political and religious leaders Media: publishing, broadcasting, encounters with editors and journalists, media training, press freedom, censorship, the future of the press amidst growing concerns about widening gap between rich and poor. Children: the situation of children, development projects, education and skills. Religion: the influence of religion; how faith shapes lives; new evangelical religions, interfaith relations, religious conflict and repression. Human rights: Violations carried out at state or local level; Organisations working in these areas; What can be done to improve the situation? Refugees: Causes behind the migration of large numbers of people from their homes; Consequences on society, politics and the refugees themselves. History: A proper understanding of the background to a country always throws light on the current situation. 4. Candidates and Qualifications - Professional journalist with solid experience - Good knowledge of English, the working language of the programme - Readiness to share the Summer University experience with fellow journalists in a spirit of friendship and equality - Aged under 40 - Other than in exceptional circumstances journalists who have already participated in a former Summer University cannot apply again. 5. Local Organisation Our organisers include media professionals, citizens, experts in various fields including culture, society, politics, economy and religion as well as state and religious authorities. Groups of organisers will be formed in the host countries. 6. Challenges ahead Increasingly we live in a world shaped by technological advances. It is now possible for journalists to stay behind their desks and investigate entire stories using their telephone and the Internet. Gone is much of the incentive to travel to war zones and file stories from the field. But the colour, grit and immediacy of reportage are missing from stories written and researched in the office. It is impossible for a journalist to give an authentic account of a situation without experiencing it and talking to the people involved. Any report will benefit immeasurably from the journalist's own impressions and first hand descriptions. The Summer University responds to this requirement, giving a chance to journalists who may otherwise not get the opportunity to travel and learn more about a continent which interests them professionally. It is the best way in which we can help them to answer the urgent need for responsible, well-informed journalism.