Are you an aspiring storyteller from the Global South eager to amplify underrepresented narratives? The CNN Academy’s “Voices from the South: Storytelling for Impact” 2025 program offers a fully funded platform to hone your journalism skills and share impactful stories with a global audience.
Program Overview
This initiative, supported by the Gates Foundation, aims to empower early-career journalists, content creators, and storytellers from developing countries in Africa, Asia, Latin America, and the Caribbean. The program focuses on enhancing participants’ abilities to report on pressing global health issues and humanitarian crises, ensuring that stories from the Global South receive the attention they deserve.
Program Timeline
Phase One: Virtual Training (July – October 1, 2025)
- Engage in online courses via the CNN Academy Hub.
- Develop storytelling skills and deepen understanding of global issues affecting the Global South.
- Complete required courses, earn badges, and submit a story pitch to qualify for Phase Two.
Phase Two: In-Person Training & Simulation (November 2025, Abu Dhabi)
- Participate in hands-on training focusing on mobile journalism techniques.
- Engage in the 2025 CNN Academy Simulation centered on global health reporting.
- Apply skills in a dynamic news environment under the guidance of CNN Academy experts.
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Eligibility Criteria
Applicants must:
- Reside and work in a country located in the Global South (Africa, Asia, Latin America, or the Caribbean).
- Be early-career journalists, content creators, or storytellers.
- Have a portfolio of relevant work.
- Possess strong communication skills and fluency in spoken and written English.
- Demonstrate a commitment to actively participating in the entire program.
- Be willing and able to travel to Abu Dhabi for the in-person training in November 2025.
Benefits
- Fully Funded Participation: CNN Academy covers all travel and accommodation expenses for the Abu Dhabi training.
- Expert-Led Training: Learn from seasoned CNN journalists and trainers.
- Global Exposure: Selected final stories may be showcased on CNN’s platforms.
- Networking Opportunities: Connect with fellow storytellers from across the Global South.
- Skill Enhancement: Gain proficiency in mobile journalism, global health reporting, and impactful storytelling.
Application Deadline
June 23, 2025
Ensure all application materials are submitted by this date to be considered for this transformative opportunity.
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How to Apply
- Visit the official program page: CNN Academy – Voices from the South
- Complete the application form, detailing your background and motivation.
- If selected for Phase Two, submit samples of your previous work and proof of origin from a Global South country.
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