The Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme, SPREP
(Secrétariat du Programme régional océanien de l’environnement, PROE)
is sponsoring the Environmental Media Awards for news concerning the
Pacific Region, initially for the years 2006 and 2007.

Submissions for the 2006 award will need to have been published or aired in any of the SPREP Pacific Island nations and territories1 during a 10-month period from 21 November 2005 to 24 September 2006; prizes will be awarded at the PINA conference following it.

The 2006 awards will be funded from the International Waters Project (IWP), a joint initiative of SPREP with the Global Environment Facility (GEF) and United Nations Development Programme (UNDP); this project is due for completion in December 2006.

The media awards are in three categories, each worth US$500.00 for the best product by the individual submitting his or her material successfully:
1. Print media 2. Radio 3. Television
One additional student prize of $US200 is available, and applies to any of the three main categories. Eligibility for this award is limited to any student of a relevant discipline (media studies, environmental law or science, etc.), originating from a Pacific Island nation or territory and studying at a university based in any of the SPREP Pacific Islands.

The scope of the submissions for the 2006 award is: “Environmental protection and management at work in Pacific communities”.

It may be a review of work going on, highlighting a successful pilot project, a critical assessment of policies and practices in environmental improvement; or presenting real issues and solutions. The target audience must be the general public of non-specialists.

Criteria for selection by the judges are, that the submissions represent good journalism (i.e. must be factually correct, relevant, interesting and appealing to the target audience) and must highlight that good environmental development is based on scientific research and development.

Applicants are requested to send 2 copies of their material (in print, audio or video tape, or in digital format) for evaluation, to have physically arrived at SPREP offices no later than 30 September 2006. No extension to this period can be given. An accurate translation or transcript into English should also be provided, if presented in any other language.

The judges will comprise an independent lecturer in journalism from a tertiary institution, a PINA committee member, a SPREP communications staff member, and a guest representative from a relevant industry. The judges’ decision process is confidential and any decisions will be final.

Address any enquiries and submissions to:
SPREP Environmental Media Awards C/o Editor and Publications Officer
SPREP, PO Box 240, Apia, Samoa sprep@sprep.org or iapi@sprep.org

Click Here for Entry form in pdf format.