Minister Ahern announces grant of €15,000 to the Dag Hammarskjöld Fund for Journalists

The Minister for Foreign Affairs, Dermot Ahern, has announced a grant of €15,000 to the Dag Hammarskjöld Scholarship Fund for Journalists. The fund, which commemorates the distinguished second Secretary General of the United Nations, enables four journalists from the developing world to come to New York to cover the United Nations General Assembly and the organisation’s work in the fields of conflict prevention and resolution, peacekeeping and development.

Speaking in New York, Minister Ahern said,

    “I am delighted that Ireland is supporting the Dag Hammarskjöld scholarship fund. This fund enables talented reporters from the developing world to come to New York to get first hand experience of the important work the UN does every day in resolving conflict, peacekeeping and promoting development”.

    “The media plays a critical role in highlighting the impact of conflict on the lives of ordinary people around the world.  Because of their courage, the international community is galvanised to take action.  Ireland will be doing its part to ensure to ensure that conflict resolution is effective in tackling the root causes and consequences of conflict.  I have made Conflict Resolution one of the priorities of Ireland’s Foreign Policy.  Of course the UN is one of our key partners and we will be working closely with our partners here to see how best we can share the lessons we have learned in bringing peace to Northern Ireland with the wider international community”.

The Chair of the Fund, Evelyn Leopold who is a senior journalist with Reuters News Agency, thanked Minister Ahern for his generous contribution:

    “This grant will help the scholars expand their knowledge of foreign policy and diplomacy. Given the manifold difficulties encountered by journalists in developing countries in linking up with the outside world, it is vital that the UN’s message of peace, tolerance and co-operation is shared throughout the media around the world”.

Note for Editors

The Dag Hammarskjold Scholarship Fund for journalists was established in 1961 to honour the spirit and accomplishments of the second Secretary-General of the United Nations. Ireland’s contribution of €15,000 over three years will be used to fund fellowships for journalists from developing countries in Asia, Africa and Latin America. The fund provides an opportunity for the journalists to expand their knowledge of foreign policy and diplomacy by coming to New York to cover the annual UN General Assembly and other deliberations.

This year, the four recipients of the scholarship are Tony Hotland of The Jakarta Post, Maria Jose Borges Zubelso, El Observador of Uruguay, Benson Amollo of The Kenya Times News Services and Agnes Asimwe of NTV Uganda.