World Young Reader Prize June 15 deadline quickly approaching

Posted by John Burke on June 3, 2009 at 2:40 PM

The deadline for the 2009 World Young Reader Prize, this year with two new categories on offer, is 15 June. It is also the last date to get a discounted registration for the World Young Reader Conference being held in Prague, Czech Republic 27-30 September.

This annual award from the World Association of Newspapers (WAN) recognizes newspapers that do the most to develop young readership. WAN has added a special press freedom category for 2009 to honour newspapers that teach effectively about the fragility and importance of press freedom in a democratic society.

A second, permanent new category is "Making the News" for innovative projects that allow young people to try their hand as professional journalists, learning the importance and challenge of gathering news in the process. Other permanent categories are Editorial, Brand, Public Service and Newspapers in Education.

The World Young Reader Prizes are awarded annually to innovative newspapers that have devised, in the judges' opinion, the best project or activity in the past 24 months in one or more of the main areas of young reader development. "Young reader" refers to those under age 25.

"We are looking for innovative strategies that produce measurable results, particularly those that can be adapted for use in other countries, and use multiple platforms," said Aralynn McMane, Director of Young Reader Development at WAN.

The top prize winning newspaper in each category receives 1000 € plus a free inscription to "Making New Connections" the 8th World Young Reader Conference, set for 27 to 30 September in Prague, Czech Republic. In addition, judges will name a "Newspaper of the Year" that will receive a free inscription plus hotel and transport for the conference. All top winners also receive a trophy made from a copy of their newspaper (like the ones pictured).

Participants at the Prague event will hear about and get a chance to try some of the latest strategies for attracting the young without alienating the old in new ways with a special focus on cost-effective, and even profitable, actions.

The deadline for all categories and a discounted conference registration is 15 June.

Full details about the contest and conference are available at http://www.wan-press.org/youngreader.

For further questions about the prize, plese contact Alexandra Waldhorn at awaldhorn@wan.asso.fr