100 of the brightest young journalists from across the globe are gathering in Edinburgh for Future News Worldwide, an international conference run by the British Council in partnership with some of the world's leading news organisations.
Taking place at the Scottish Parliament from 5-7 July and featuring contributions from leading international media such as CNN, Reuters, the BBC, Google News and Facebook as well as Scottish outlets STV and The Herald, the conference is a once-in-a lifetime opportunity for the next generation of top journalists to hone their skills and make global connections.
Several of the most experienced and respected international editors, broadcasters and reporters - including Mary Hockaday, Controller BBC World Service English; Anne McElvoy, Senior Editor at The Economist; and Christina Lamb, Chief foreign correspondent at The Sunday Times - will share the secrets of their success. They will be joined by counterparts from the digital news sphere such as Matt Cooke from Google News Lab and Dima Khatib, Managing Director of AJ+.
Topics under the lens include the power of storytelling and the challenges facing journalism in the digital age. With the media itself increasingly the subject of news headlines, the conference is a timely opportunity to focus on the universal values of objectivity, balance and evidence that underpin the journalism trade.
The delegates represent the very best of the future news generation. A competitive process saw almost 2000 applications received from aspiring journalists aged from 18-25. From there 100 outstanding individuals were selected from 42 countries including Russia, China, Afghanistan, Turkey, Sudan, Uruguay and Germany, as well as Scotland and other parts of the United Kingdom.
Director of the British Council in Scotland, Jackie Killeen said, “Ever since its inception the British Council has sought to reach out to young people across the world by offering opportunities for mutual exchange, partnership and understanding. Future News Worldwide is a pioneering example of that passion being extended into the digital age for the millennial generation. It is a great privilege for us to welcome these future stars of journalism to Scotland for this rare opportunity to learn from some of the finest exponents of the trade.”
Mark Wood, former editor-in-chief of Reuters, past CEO of ITN and Chair of the Future News Worldwide Advisory Board said: “"Future News 2017 is a unique forum bringing together young journalists from 42 countries with some of the most outstanding media figures of our time. They will learn the skills of the trade from the very best and take part in workshops which will equip them to deal with all forms of digital media communication. This conference will help plant the roots of strong, quality journalism in countries around the world."