Free and fair journalism is essential to sustainable peace, development and democracy. Yet many countries around the world are dominated by officially controlled media and hate speech, fueling conflict and giving a free hand to corruption and human rights abuses. Building on its training, reporting and capacity-building programming in crisis areas around the world, IWPR is pursuing an ambitious five-year strategy to dramatically raise the profile of independent local voices – within their own regions and within the international debate.

The Ambassadors Circle is central to achieving this goal. The purpose is to extend the community of concern about the role of irresponsible media in fueling conflict and crises, and to provide a direct mechanism for creating sustainable alternatives.

For more information or to join please contact Executive Director Tony Borden by email
or on +44 (0)20 7831 1030.

IWPR Ambassadors Circles, with initial groups being set up in New York, London and San Francisco, will gather individuals from the worlds of business, media, and the arts, with three objectives:

• Expertise & Planning – to contribute professional expertise to the development of programming and strategic departures;
• Awareness & Outreach – to spread awareness and provide outreach and access within the business, media and official communities;
• Resources – to mobilise financial contributions to contribute to IWPR programming and overall strategic goals.

Rewards. Through regular briefing sessions with regional and international experts, as well as extensive regular reports, pod-casts and special investigations, IWPR Ambassadors gain frontline insight into key conflicts in Africa, Asia and the Middle East. Participation in IWPR Ambassadors Circles offers the chance to make a practical contribution to peace, democracy and development in crisis areas around the world, such as a training session for local reporters in Afghanistan, a women’s radio programme in Iraq, an independent news agency in Africa.

By contributing to the implementation of IWPR’s overall strategy, IWPR Ambassadors play a key role in establishing IWPR as a significant global player in reliable and responsible reporting.

Membership. Participation in Ambassadors Circles is divided into three categories:

• Patrons – leadership personalities to contribute expertise and mobilise financial support;
• Fellows – practicing media professionals to contribute current expertise and connections;
• Associates – interested individuals wishing to participate in and/or help organise and host Ambassadors Circle meetings and other activities.