Do you have a passion for journalism?
Are you curious, driven, critical and analytical?
Do you have what it takes to lead your industry?
Future News Worldwide is a partnership programme between the British Council and some of the world’s leading media organisations. We work with press and media across the globe to identify the most talented, motivated and passionate young media makers, and offer them a once-in-a lifetime opportunity to improve their skills and make global connections.
Our annual conference brings together 100 student journalists from across the world for 2 days of intensive learning and training on all aspects of journalism. With exclusive access to some of world’s leading editors, broadcasters and reporters it's a unique opportunity to network and gain insight into the changing ways news is delivered.
An Open Letter to the Delegates of Future News Worldwide – Roisin McManus
From 15-17 July, I attended Future News Worldwide ran by the British council. The event was hosted by Thomson Reuters and the conference was held in their headquarters in London. I represented Ireland at the conference, which was a great honour for me.
There were 100 delegates in total from over 50 countries worldwide. It was fascinating to meet them all and hear stories about their lives in their home countries. It was eye-opening to hear of the difficulties they face as journalists in their countries. In many cases, simply telling the truth about what is happening there is enough to get you in trouble with the government.
The conference itself began on Monday evening with a welcome reception at Reuters HQ where we all got the opportunity to get to know each other and hear of what was to come before the intensity of the next two days came.
Over the course of the following few days, we attended many talks held by some of the world’s biggest journalists, including Sreenivasan Jain from NDTV, Sonny Swe from the Myanmar Times, and Christina Lamb; Chief Foreign Correspondent at the Sunday Times. It was so motivating and encouraging for us as young journalists to hear about how they each made their starts in journalism and progressed to where they are now. They each gave us all invaluable advice that we can use for the future.
On Tuesday evening, we attended a dinner on a boat on the River Thames. It was my highlight of the conference and I think it was for many others too. It was a surreal experience looking out on the river and the across the skyline of London City along with a group of like-minded people who share the same interests as each other. We were all placed at different tables with one or two journalists or British council workers who we could talk to about their careers and ask questions. The night ended with a closing speech by Jon Snow from Channel Four News, which was wonderful. He was very interesting to listen to as he told us about his career as a journalist.
When I reflect on my experience at Future News Worldwide, I think of how much I would like to go back and do it all over again. For someone like me, I think it is an opportunity of a lifetime. I will admit that I was apprehensive before it began as I didn’t know anybody else before going and I wasn’t familiar with my surroundings but as soon as I went and met everyone, I was immediately put at ease as after all, we are all in the same boat.
