FISU Young Reporters' Programme starts

TAIPEI ─ To provide young journalists with a unique training experience during the Universiade, one of the major multi-sport events in the world, FISU launched an education programme known as FISU Young Reporters’ Programme in 2011. Following the success of previous editions, FISU host this U-Media programme for the fourth time at the 29th Summer Universiade in Taipei City. After a city tour to experience tea culture on the first day, twenty-five Young Reporters started the courses on 19 August.

“Be inspired, be passionate!” FISU President Oleg Matytsin encouraged all the Young Reporters at the official opening of the YRP. He again stated FISU’s goal of developing young generations through educational programmes and sports events. “Put all your energy in the event, and enjoy your stay,” he added. CEO of Taipei Universiade Li-chiung Su also expressed a warm welcome from the host city and presented local souvenirs to every participant.

Biennially, FISU recruits 21 to 25-year-old students or recent graduates in journalism or communications to the programme on the basis of diversity and equality of participation. FISU Media & Communication Committee, chaired by Verena Burk selected twelve successful applicants from five continents to come to Taipei.

Chosen from 63 candidates representing 30 different countries, the international young reporters are Badru Katumba (UGA) and Kimara Singh (RSA) from Africa, Chi Ye (CHN) and Annesha Ghosh (IND) from Asia, Salim Valji (CAN) and Rafaela Burity (BRA) from the Americas, Karl Sundström (SWE), Leticia Dawidowicz (BEL) and Laetitia Béraud (FRA) from Europe and Kirralee Thomas (AUS) from Oceania as well as Matthew Barnard (AUS) and Laura Quilter (NZL) who both previously took part in Universiade as student-athletes. Sergey Chernov (RUS) is a young reporter observer for the 2019 Winter Universiade in Krasnoyarsk.

Twelve participants are from local counties, including Th-han Wang, Da-yun Hsin, Yi-cheng Lin, An-te Chang, Yun-chen Chang, Lin-ying Huang, Shiang-ni Chang, Meng-hsuan Yang Hsin-yu Yang, Meng-jung Chia, Shao-tong Lo and Yuan-chi Kung. They also went through a year-long journey from applying and interviewing to taking intense training courses and covering test events ahead of the Universiade.

During the 14-day full English programme, all Young Reporters are required to join all training sessions including interviewing, producing coverages, photos and video, publishing on the Internet and new media about the event. They not only have to complete daily assignments about multiple reporting articles, but also be pioneers to produce a daily digital magazine “Taipei Talks” together. “For You, for Youth!” As the slogan goes, they are so prepared to bring diverse stories to the global audience at 2017 Taipei Universiade. Keep your eyes open for their articles!

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