VSA award for excellence in journalism

New sponsors for Volunteer Service Abroad (VSA) New Zealand award for excellence in International Development journalism

Orbit World Travel and Air Vanuatu have joined Volunteer Service Abroad’s (VSA) annual award for Excellence in International Development Journalism.

Entries are now open for the award, and close on Monday, September 14. Orbit World Travel will sponsor the prizes in both categories: The winner of the award for published feature writing will receive a seven-day trip to VSA’s programme in Vanuatu, with flights provided by Air Vanuatu, while the winner of the unpublished category will receive $500 in travel vouchers.

VSA is New Zealand’s largest and most experienced volunteer agency working in International Development. We bring together New Zealanders and our Asia-Pacific neighbours to share their skills and experience, working to transform lives and create a fair future for all. Since our founding by Sir Edmund Hillary in 1962, more than 3000 Kiwi volunteers have worked overseas to create a positive difference.

Orbit World Travel is one of New Zealand’s largest travel management companies with over 250 employees and 9 offices across the country. 100% New Zealand owned and operated, Orbit has been working with VSA for nearly 20 years, helping to get our volunteers to their assignments all over the wider Pacific.

Air Vanuatu was formed over 27 years ago in December 1987, the airline has served Vanuatu proudly, bringing visitors and residents to and from the beautiful islands of Vanuatu.Air Vanuatu has played a major role in establishing Vanuatu as a tourist and investment destination in the last two decades, playing a vital role in growing the country’s economy.

This is a crucial time in International Development. The global community has this week agreed on goals to guide future development work - worldwide targets in health, education, gender equality and the environment, among others. These 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) apply to all countries, developed and developing, and their citizens, whether prosperous or living in poverty.

The Pacific is an often overlooked region in international development, and media coverage of the issues facing the wider Pacific is scant. This award aims to encourage a greater breadth and depth of quality journalism on international development to bring these issues to a wider New Zealand audience.

To find out more about the competition, please visit http://bit.ly/1NK8HWG

ENDS

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