Harbourfront Centre, one of Canada’s leading contemporary arts and culture institutions, is offering a unique opportunity to emerging journalists through the Nordic–Canadian Fellowship in Environmental Journalism program as part of a larger year-long diverse cultural initiative rolling out across the country in 2022 called Nordic Bridges.
Coordinators of the first Nordic–Canadian Fellowship in Environmental Journalism program hope to identify 16 emerging journalists, eight from Canada and eight from the Nordic Region – Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, Sweden, the Faroe Islands, Greenland and Åland to take part. Journalists of all mediums such as writers, videographers, photographers, producers, podcasters between the ages of 18–25 years old who reside in one of the above-mentioned countries will get the opportunity to learn, travel and examine today’s most pressing environmental issues.
Young people have been at the forefront of global climate action, noted Lex Harvey, Journalist and Fellowship Coordinator with Nordic Bridges, and as the climate crisis accelerates, youth-led journalism will play a crucial role in spotlighting important issues.
“… driven, imaginative, have strong storytelling skills, high journalistic potential and a passion for environmental justice …”
This fellowship will create more opportunities for young people and train the next generation of journalists to tell stories that uplift marginalized voices, offer solutions and encourage progress.
The Finnish Minister for Science and Culture, Annika Saarikko, who is also chair of the Nordic Council of Ministers for Culture in 2021 says, “This platform will give young people an opportunity to work together across the Atlantic, bringing us new and important stories on environmental and cultural issues.” These are global issues that cannot be solved by any country alone. International collaboration is crucial when looking for new ideas and solutions for change.
The Nordic–Canadian Fellowship in Environmental Journalism program will run for 18 months during which time the fellows will be assigned to journalism mentors who will guide them through the fellowship while they participate in journalism boot camps, conduct reporting trips to learn how to tell evidence-based stories, share culture and knowledge on environmental issues, work in teams to form lasting relationships and contribute to an exhibition presented by Nordic Bridges in 2022.
There are no special educational requirements. People from all regions are encouraged to apply. Fellows will receive a $2,200 CAD honorarium and all travel-related expenses will be covered. Young people who are driven, imaginative, have strong storytelling skills, high journalistic potential and a passion for environmental justice are encouraged to apply. The fellowship application will be open until April 23. The program will begin in June 2021 and run to the end of 2022.
Visit nordicbridges.ca/fellowship for more information and to access the application form.
Nordic Bridges itself is a national initiative that will highlight contemporary Nordic arts and culture in multiple disciplines from the performing arts, visual and digital arts, craft and design, literature, film and culinary arts in cities across Canada, including Toronto, St. John’s, Vancouver and Iqaluit. Canada, with Harbourfront Centre as lead curator and producer, was selected from among 23 other proposals from around the world. Nordic Bridges follows on the success of similar cultural initiatives: Nordic Cool (Kennedy Center, Washington, DC in 2013), and Nordic Matters (Southbank Centre, London, UK in 2017).