Reporting Institute on Forced Migration and Children in Europe

This reporting institute is organized by the Dart Center for Journalism and Trauma, a project of Columbia Journalism School, in collaboration with the Program on Forced Migration and Health (PFMH) and the Care and Protection of Children (CPC) Learning Network at Columbia’s Mailman School of Public Health and the Columbia Global Paris Center.

This three-day training institute will bring together Europe-based journalists with leading researchers, clinicians, child development experts and practitioners for expert briefings, panels, workshops and conversations on how to produce science-informed, ethical and effective stories on children and families affected by forced migration and displacement. The institute will provide opportunities for knowledge sharing, source development, and peer-to-peer learning and foster a global network of journalists dedicated to reporting on children with insight, accuracy, sensitivity and depth.

Reporting on children impacted by violence, trauma and adversity requires knowledge of early brain science and development, and the impact of extreme stress and trauma on children’s emotional and cognitive growth. It also requires trauma-informed reporting skills such as ethical interviewing techniques; understanding consent and assent; protecting identities, handling graphic imagery; and recognizing children’s resiliency and agency.

Costs Covered

• The program covers roundtrip travel, up to 3 nights of hotel lodging for selected participants outside of Paris, ground transportation to/from Paris airports and most meals. The program does not cover health insurance, travel insurance, visa fees or ground transportation in participants’ home countries.
• The Dart Center will provide formal letters of acceptance to accompany visa applications of selected participants. The program cannot cover fees associated with applying for travel visas or assist in obtaining a visa to travel to France.

Eligibility Criteria

• Reporters and editors based in Europe who work in print, digital, audio, photography, television and video with a minimum of three years’ professional journalism experience are eligible to apply. Editor-reporter pairs will be considered. Student journalists beyond Columbia Journalism School are not eligible to apply.
• The program will be conducted in English only. Applicants must be highly proficient in English and must reside in Europe to be eligible.

Application Requirements

• A completed application includes:
  • Resume / CV
  • Professional Bio
  • Letter of interest: Your letter should discuss your work as a journalist, any experience reporting on migration and/or children and families , challenges you’ve encountered or particular events or experiences that have informed or shaped your outlook or approach, and what you hope to take away from the institute. (No more than 2 pages)
  • Two recent and relevant work samples:
  • Your work samples should have been published or broadcast within the last three years.
  • You must have worked as a reporter or editor on the story or project included as a work sample.
  • If your work sample is not in English, please provide an English transcript to accompany it.
  • One letters of recommendation from professional references: You will be asked to provide an email address for your recommender, and they will be sent an email by Submittable to upload their recommendation.

For more information, visit Dart Center for Journalism and Trauma.