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June 23, 2004
The Daniel Pearl Foundation and Seeds of Peace
Launch Daniel Pearl Media Internship Program
Palestinian and Israeli young adults acquire hands-on media experience, and spread the message of peaceful coexistence to a larger audience through journalism June 23, 2004 —The Daniel Pearl Media Internship Program, a joint project of the Daniel Pearl Foundation and Seeds of Peace, today announced the recipients of two-month internships at participating Israeli, Palestinian and international media organizations located in the Middle East. The goal of the program will be to extend the leadership and coexistence training provided to Seeds of Peace graduates by providing the foundation for a career in journalism, amplifying the groups' joint message of peace to a larger audience.
Honoring Daniel Pearl's commitment to excellence in journalism, The Daniel Pearl Foundation finds much common ground in its mission of cross-cultural understanding with that of the Seeds of Peace, internationally recognized as the preeminent leadership-training program for teenagers from regions of conflict including the Middle East, South Asia, Cyprus and the Balkans.
"Danny's lifelong quest to show the human faces behind the news and his focus on helping distant cultures understand each other were driving forces of his career ,” said Tamara Pearl, Vice President of the Daniel Pearl Foundation, “and are the inspiration for this program. We are thrilled to be able to offer opportunities to encourage these traits in young people who have been identified as future leaders in their communities and have a commitment to peaceful coexistence.”
The internships give budding Israeli and Palestinian journalists hands-on exposure to as many facets of journalism as possible, encouraging these young people to spread and amplify their commitment to peaceful coexistence and non-violence by choosing a career in journalism. The interns will receive a monthly stipend and prior to the start of their two-month, full-time internships will attend a two-day seminar conducted by the Seeds of Peace Center for Coexistence in Jerusalem.
“The Daniel Pearl Foundation's commitment to bringing together people of diverse backgrounds, mirrors the goals of Seeds of Peace," said Aaron David Miller, President of Seeds of Peace. "We are excited to be partnering with the Daniel Pearl Foundation in this new initiative that will help train our young graduates for future leadership positions in the field of media and elsewhere."
Nine graduates of the Seeds of Peace program, which begins at the Seeds of Peace International Camp in Maine and continues through ongoing follow-up programming at its Center for Coexistence in Jerusalem, will begin full-time internships in late June at media organizations including Al-Ayyam, The Youth Times, Al Quds Educational Television, Just Vision, Channel Hop, Channel 2, and the Jerusalem Report. Each intern, ages 18 through 24, will be working with a mentor at the media outlet who will help the participant gain valuable professional experience and insight into the role of the media in their region.
About the Daniel Pearl Foundation
The Daniel Pearl Foundation was formed in 2002 in memory of journalist Daniel Pearl to promote the ideals that inspired his life and work. The world came to know Daniel Pearl as the Wall Street Journal reporter who was murdered by terrorists in Karachi, Pakistan. Since then, he has been remembered more for his humanity and love of life than his senseless death. The Daniel Pearl Foundation works domestically and internationally to promote cross-cultural understanding, to combat cultural and religious hatred, to encourage responsible and creative journalism, and to enrich people's lives through music. The Daniel Pearl Foundation thanks the Skirball Foundation for their support for encouraging youth involvement in these activities. For more information please visit www.danielpearl.org .
About Seeds of Peace
Since 1993, Seeds of Peace has graduated over 2,500 teenagers from four conflict regions from its internationally recognized leadership program. Through its International Camp in Maine, its Center for Coexistence in Jerusalem, international youth conferences, regional workshops, educational and professional opportunities, and adult educator programs, participants develop empathy, respect, and confidence as well as leadership, communication and negotiation skills - all critical components that will ensure peaceful coexistence for the next generation. For more information, visit www.seedsofpeace.org .
MEDIA CONTACT:
Jonathan Heit
Allison and Partners
310-314-5402
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