EU-Canada Young Journalist Award (YJA) – Brussels Study Visit

The Delegation of the European Commission in Canada launched the YJA to raise more interest in EU affairs among young Canadian journalists. The three winners are offered a study visit to Brussels, which was organised by the Development Office of the College of Europe in 2006, 2007 and 2008. The study visit gives participants the opportunity to acquire a sound knowledge of the functioning of the European Union in terms of its institutional structure and political processes, as well as the daily work of journalists covering European topics. The 2006-2008 programmes were tailored to the participants’ interest with a particular focus on EU-Canada relations. In a mixture of practice-oriented lectures, formal speeches and informal discussions and interviews, the three journalists had the opportunity to learn more about the European institutional structure, EU policies and interest representation in Brussels. Among the speakers were representatives from the College of Europe, the European institutions – namely, the Commission, the Council and the Parliament – and lobbying organisations. Journalists from different countries and backgrounds (press, web, TV) were invited to give their viewpoint on the EU. In addition, the participants benefited from multiple networking opportunities with different stakeholders; this included a lunch with the Canadian Ambassador to the EU in 2008.