At the annual forum commemorating the International Day for Natural Disaster Reduction to be held on 13 October 2004, UNESCAP and ADPC will jointly inaugurate the Annual Journalists' Award for Outstanding Reporting on Emergencies and Disasters. This year the focus country will be Thailand.

The objective of the award is to recognize outstanding reporting in the mass media on Disaster Reduction in Asia and the Pacific, with a view to
promote increased awareness of these issues in the mainstream press. ADPC and UNESCAP invite nominations from all media agencies
in Thailand. To cover all forms of media, there will be three categories for the Award: Print, Radio and Television. Within these three
categories awards will be made to an individual and to an agency for their outstanding efforts.The criteria for selection are as given below: Reports and stories and accompanying graphics should:

1. Focus on disaster events and/ or disaster mitigation and preparedness initiatives in Thailand
2. Have an impact on Thailand and the Thai Community
3. Be clear and accurate
4. Be substantive and informative
5. Be constructive, meaning that they lead to some actions taken at the policy or societal level
6. Create and spread awareness among the people on issues relating to disasters, disaster mitigation and preparedness.
7. Cover the time period of 1 year for individual nominations and
8. Cover a cumulative track record of 10 years for agencies nominations.

All nominations should reach the following address on or before September 15, 2004. Only completed nomination forms will be accepted.

Dr Le Huu Ti,
Economic Affairs Officer,
UNESCAP
Water Resources Section, Environment and Sustainable
Development,
United Nations Building,
Rajadamnern Nok Avenue,
Bangkok 10200,Thailand
Tel: (66-2) 288-1234 Fax: (66-2) 288-1000
Website: http://www.unescap.org/ Email:
ti.unescap@un.org