By Zoe Piliafas | Program Manager
2013 Voices of Our Future
Over 600 women applied from 101 countries for the fourth year of our citizen journalism and digital empowerment training program. The resilience, determination, intelligence, and passion exhibited by the applicants this year is truly inspirational.
Amidst a phenomenal pool of applicants, 31 women from 27 countries stood out—each one demonstrating exceptional leadership and vision with great potential to drive change. These grassroots women leaders are the voices of our future. Join us in welcoming the our newest Correspondents!
“Gaining skills in citizen journalism made me more empowered to make my voice heard. I now feel the importance of the role I play by sharing the stories of my country with the whole world through World Pulse.” —Mirette Bahgat, 2012 Voices of Our Future Correspondent, Egypt
Over the next five months, these 31 women will receive training to help them actualize and vocalize their visions for change. They will gain skills in conducting interviews, writing and producing profiles, op-eds, and multimedia packages. They will also learn how to use social media as citizen journalists, streamline their online experience, and use mobile phones to support their social change work.
Get to know these voices. Throughout the coming months they will be bringing first hand news and perspectives from regions as diverse as the United States, Democratic Republic of Congo, and the island nation of the Maldives—while focusing on opportunities to lift their communities.
Journeying Together
“The support that I got from my fellow Correspondent sisters increased my self-confidence a hundred times over…I have become more empowered as a leader.” —Rahel Weldeab, 2012 Voices of Our Future Correspondent, Eritrea
The 2013 Correspondents will navigate the training curriculum with their fellow Correspondents and World Pulse online community members by their sides, and the support of a growing network of Voices of Our Future alumni.
“I became a better writer with help from my Editorial Mentor. Most important was the confidence gained in my ability to communicate on critical issues and embrace my own writer's voice.” —Juliette Maughan, 2012 Voices of Our Future Correspondent, Barbados
To ensure success on this journey, each woman will also be paired with a personal Vision Mentor and Editorial Mentor. This year we considered nearly 150 mentor applications from women from all over the globe. These women are professional life coaches, mentors, journalists, authors, and bloggers. They are generously donating nearly 3,000 hours of their time and expertise to make this program a reality. The lasting relationships forged in the program benefit Correspondents and mentors alike. We have brought aboard our team 92 Mentors!
“I am proud to say that I am a World Pulse Vision Mentor—it's now on my resume that I am mentoring a young Kurdish woman from Syria. This seems to be my connection, however small, with one of the most agonizing present-day conflicts, and my chance to provide support to someone who is determined to make a positive difference for her people….” —Sarah Whitten-Grigsby, 2012 Vision Mentor
Spirited Partnerships
This program would not be possible without the contribution, entrepreneurial spirit and generosity of our program partners The Global Press Institute, Op-Ed Project, Ellen Wingard, and Frank Smyth.
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