A new Digital Communication Network exchange program in the U.S., April 8-24, 2019.
If you use or create digital communication tools in media, entrepreneurship, NGOs, social movements and e-government apply at https://worldlearninginnovanddev.wufoo.com/forms/q18v8ife0dg47ql/
Deadline for the applications: December 1, 2018
A total of 14 participants will be selected, through an open competition process to come to the United States from April 8-24, 2018. Selection will be based on the overall quality of the candidates, as well as their willingness and preparedness to make a contribution to DCN. Please note that not all countries will be represented in the next segment.
Participants should work and reside in one of the following countries: Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Estonia, Georgia, Greece, Hungary, Kazakhstan, Kosovo, Kyrgyzstan, Latvia, Lithuania, Macedonia, Moldova, Montenegro, Poland, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Tajikistan, Turkey, and Ukraine.
Applicants for the program should be digital communication professionals, either with a journalistic or entrepreneurial background. They should work for media organizations (traditional or new media), communication companies, NGOs and social movements, or e-governments focusing on delivering digital media messages and using new tools of digital communication. Priority will be given to candidates who demonstrate an interest and capacity to develop or transform organizations for the digital age, and/or to create new digital communication products.
For those less familiar with the program and for the new countries, a brief background:
In October 2015, twenty-four fellows from 11 countries of Eastern Europe and Central Asia came together in an exchange program, sponsored by the U.S. Department of State Office of Citizen Exchanges, with the goal of exploring ways digital information technology has impacted the way of life from e-government, to the private sector, NGOs, social movements and the media. Those initial participants created Digital Communication Network (DCN or digicomnet), an association/startup of like-minded individuals using digital tools, engaging in cross-sector learning and promoting a free flow of quality information across borders. The association created by the initial participants has now over 4,500 members in the region and is rapidly expanding.. Since the first program in October 2015, there are more exchanges and a variety of events in the region:
Thessaloniki, Greece: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wm4SEv923jQ&feature=youtu.be
Belgrade, Serbia https://www.facebook.com/digicomnet.org/videos/1432661090104072/
Kyiv, Ukraine: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gH01V6pkHYo
Yerevan, Armenia https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Da70fBuPVsA&t=26s
The events have included digital festivals in Moldova, Estonia, and Poland, focusing on the interdisciplinary profile, as well as some specific events such as the political fact checking forum in Lithuania and the digital entrepreneurship forum in Armenia. In addition to the U.S. exchange, in December 2018 there will be a Media Literacy Forum in Bratislava, Slovakia. .
After the event in Thessaloniki, Greece, Assistant Secretary Marie Royce said “The Digital Communication Network exchanges and conferences are one of the flagship programs of my Bureau in the last two years. You’re all part of a growing community of over 3,000 digital professionals from over 30 countries who can shape the future of ideas and information sharing for the next generation. Your organizations, companies and startups transform global economies, media, politics and societies.”
For contact:
Vlad Spencer
Manager, Professional Exchange and Global Networks
World Learning
1015 Fifteenth Street, N.W., #700
Washington, DC 20005
tel: 202/464-8538
fax: 202/408-5397
web: www.worldlearning.org
Vladimir.Spencer(at)worldlearning.org
