Impact Journalism Day: Calling for stories of change

For the sixth year in a row, The Straits Times will join media outlets around the world for Impact Journalism Day, which falls on June 16 this year. PHOTO: SPARKNEWS

SINGAPORE - Know of an idea or initiative on how to make the world a better place?

Share it, with details on how it offers an innovative solution to a local or global issue, by next Monday (March 12) to have a chance to be a part of Impact Journalism Day.

For the sixth year in a row, The Straits Times will join media outlets around the world for the event, which falls on June 16 this year.

The aim is to raise awareness about innovative solutions that inspire hope and positive action among readers amid news about natural disasters or financial crises.

It can be an initiative that helps the vulnerable in your neighbourhood, an idea that improves the lives of people beyond Singapore, or an invention that has the potential to make a global impact.

If you think your project fits the bill, write in to the Paris-based organiser Sparknews at www.tellsparknews.com

Your project must be up and running, and can be helmed by an individual, a company or an organisation.

About 50 shortlisted solutions will then be featured in 50 participating media outlets, including The Straits Times. This means that they will be seen and read by more than 120 million readers.

"Impact Journalism Day brings together inspiring ideas from around the world. Newsrooms around the world come together to feature some of those taking positive steps to solve problems, big and small. ST is delighted to be part of the project, together with some of the best media organisations in the world. By working together, we help spread word about the good work being done," said Mr Warren Fernandez, ST editor and editor-in-chief of Singapore Press Holdings' English/Malay/Tamil Media group.

Sparknews, led by a group of journalists, was set up in 2012, with a mission to make an impact and improve the world through the reports they put out.

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One of the initiatives featured on Impact Journalism Day last year was Singapore-based non-profit organisation billionBricks, for designing a weather-resistant tent to curb homelessness.

The weatherHYDE tent can be set up by one person in 15 minutes, without any tools or anchor pegs.

In 2016, billionBricks raised more than $145,000 through crowdfunding, enabling it to provide 500 tents to needy families. Each tent costs US$199 (S$263).

With it, more than 20 homeless families in Delhi and Mumbai were also able to seek shelter from the elements.

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