Local Journalists Encouraged to Enter Regional Contest     

(Road Town; Tortola): The Ministry of Health and Social Development is encouraging journalists in the Virgin Islands (British) to enter their journalistic works in the Fifth Inter-American Vital Air Journalism Contest, organised by the Pan American Health Organisation.

Acting Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Health and Social Development Ms. Petrona Smith told the Department of Information and Public Relations that the contest serves to recognise outstanding reporting on tobacco-related health problems. The deadline for the submission of entries, she added, is this Tuesday, 15 July.

The Acting Permanent Secretary noted that the contest offers a good opportunity for local journalists to have their work recognised at the regional level. Ms. Smith also said the contest has strong appeal for the Territory, since Government recently enforced the Tobacco Control (Amendment) Ordinance that bans smoking in certain public places and restaurants across the Virgin Islands.

Interested local journalists can enter the contest via the webpage www.interamericanheart.org. They may also request additional information by sending an email to concurso@interamericanheart.org. Awards for the Fifth Inter-American ‘Vital Air’ Journalism Contest will be given to recognize journalistic works that appeared between 1 January 2007 and 30 June 2008. The contest categories are print media, radio, television, and the Internet.   ~~Adz:Right~~

The awards include US$1000 for the winner in each category and an additional US$1000 for the overall winner of the contest, who will be chosen from among the four individual categories. The overall winner also will receive a full travel grant to attend the first Caribbean Chronic Disease Conference, which will be held in Barbados from October 16-19, 2008.

The Ministry of Health and Social Development works to provide leadership that promotes health, social well-being, and a safe environment as positive resources for living and sustainable development. Among other things, the Ministry is responsible for safeguarding and promoting the health and social development of the Territory.