Caribbean Media Exchange Targets Youth, Excellence And The Diaspora, Application Deadline July 2, 2010

The sustainability of tourism in the region is reliant on ensuring vigilance in the media, excellence among young journalists, and by actively engaging the Caribbean community abroad, asserted a leading media exchange organization.

The Caribbean Media Exchange (CMEx) outlined the recognition and encouragement of young journalists was one of its major aims, as it announced the opening of the application process for media and youth scholarships and fellowships for its next session in the Fall.

“With the stroke or two of their pens,” reads a CMEx statement, reporters, editors and young people could secure scholarships and fellowships to attend “one of the most sought-after media gatherings in the Caribbean.”

CMEx believes in the value of stronger working relationships between Caribbean countries and their overseas-based communities, a major focus of the 19th Caribbean Media Exchange on Sustainable Tourism.

CMEx will examine ways of working with the Caribbean Diaspora communities to identify innovative strategies of recovering from the massive losses caused by domestic occurrences such as crime and civil unrest.

Additionally, the CMEx in the Fall will also be looking at how to use tourism to revive communities and rebuild economies after natural and man-made disasters.

The non-profit CMEx is finalizing the Caribbean venue for the next symposium which seeks to harness the energy and vigor of the media, young scholars, fellows and Diaspora leaders.

CMEx is an interactive networking forum that allows journalists and young leaders from the Caribbean, North America and Europe to interact with development specialists and representatives of the hospitality, civil society and government sectors.

Journalists and editors – and youth (aged 15 to 21) – can apply for a limited number of scholarships and fellowships. Scholarships cover airfare, accommodation and registration, while Fellowships cover accommodation and registration.

The deadline for awards applications is Friday, July 2, 2010.

General delegate registration is on a first come, first served basis. Space is limited.

Since 2001, the Caribbean Media Exchange (CMEx) has produced 18 conferences and symposia throughout the Caribbean and North America to underscore the value of the region’s largest industry, tourism, in bettering the health, education, culture, environment and wealth of Caribbean communities, at home and abroad, in a climate friendly fashion.