Global Journalists and Communicators Arrive at Cronkite

A documentary filmmaker from Pakistan, a communications coordinator from Brazil and a public relations professional from Croatia are among the 10 new Humphrey Fellows at the Water Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication at Arizona State University this year. For the fourth year, the Cronkite School is welcoming international journalists and communicators from nine countries to campus as part of the U.S. State Department’s Hubert H. Humphrey Fellowship Program. This year’s fellows are from: Bangladesh, Brazil, Burkina Faso, Croatia, El Salvador, Malawi, Pakistan, Trinidad and Tobago and Turkey. The global communicators will pursue professional development through courses at ASU, enhance their leadership skills and do a professional affiliation at a local or national organization. The journalism fellowship program is an initiative of the U.S. State Department’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, administered by the Institute of International Education. The Humphrey Fellows provide a global perspective as they interact with Cronkite’s domestic students, in both informal and formal conversations. Past Humphrey Fellows have spoken about freedom of the press in other countries, reporting in wartime and what it’s like to be a global journalist. “From the front lines of world journalism pivot points like Pakistan and Turkey to complex continents like Africa, our students will learn from top professionals as they mingle with this year’s Humphrey Fellows,” said Associate Professor Bill Silcock, director of Cronkite Global Initiatives. “Their friendship replaces borders with bridges to new understanding of culture and countries.” 2013-2014 Humphrey Fellows in Journalism Fernando Aguilar, from El Salvador, is a social communicator working for Quetzalcoatl Consulting Group, leading the implementation of a strategy to promote the cultivation of traditional cacao in the municipality of Izalco. He works with multiple sectors of society to create partnerships that will bring prosperity to the region. A graduate of Central American University with experience in academia and the private sector, he expects to devote his Humphrey year to learning new tools and resources for implementing effective communication campaigns aimed at broad audiences. Hina Ali, from Pakistan, is a producer for Pakistan’s first and only Oscar-winning production company, Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy Films, which specializes in investigative and socially motivated content. She holds a bachelor’s degree in journalism and a master’s degree in advertising and public relations from the University of Karachi in Pakistan. Ali has directed and produced for leading Pakistani television channels, including DawnNews, AAJ News, Express News and BBC Pakistan. During her Humphrey year, she will pursue documentary production, television reporting and visual storytelling. Ivana Braga, from Brazil, is a communications coordinator with Grupo de Apoio às Comunidades Carentes do Maranhão, a nongovernmental agency that promotes community development within socially vulnerable populations. She coordinates for the Rede Amiga da Criança network composed of 25 institutions spanning governmental and nongovernmental sectors that help at-risk children and adolescents. With a bachelor’s degree in communication and journalism from the State University of Maranhão, Braga will study how social mobilization strengthens social organizations and influences public policies for minority populations during her Humphrey year. Maja Cakarun, from Croatia, is head of the public relations division in Zagreb City Holding Ltd., a public company owned by the City of Zagreb. She earned a Master of Arts in European studies from Katholieke University in Leuven, Belgium, and a bachelor’s degree in political science from the University of Zagreb in Croatia. She has two diplomas, including one in public relations from the London School of Public Relations and another from the Academy for Political Development. During her Humphrey year, Cakarun hopes to enhance her public communication skills to leverage social media for successful PR campaigns. Wahida Ifat, from Bangladesh, is the information manager in communications and development services for iccdr,b, an international public health research organization in Bangladesh. She has worked as a senior sector specialist for BRAC, a nonprofit organization based in Bangladesh. With a master’s degree in sociology from the Dhaka University and a Master of Arts in gender-focused education and international development from the University of London, she has contributed to the development of life skills-based education material for underprivileged teens in Bangladesh. She plans to study public relations and social media at ASU. Rhonda Jaipaul-O’Garro, from Trinidad and Tobago, manages marketing and communications for the University of the West Indies. She is production editor of The Pelican, the university’s flagship magazine, which has won four international awards for excellence since its launch in 2006. O’Garro is a final-year Ph.D. candidate in UWI’s Department of Management Studies and holds a master’s degree in public communication and public relations from the University of Westminster, London. She plans to study digital communications strategies for effective communication at Cronkite. Steven James Kapoloma, from Malawi, is the deputy director of corporate affairs for the Malawi Revenue Authority, a tax-collecting body, leading a team to develop domestic revenue mobilization initiatives by encouraging voluntary taxation. He has championed campaigns against consumer exploitation and successfully lobbied to protect consumers from unfair trading practices. Kapoloma has a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Malawi, a post-graduate certificate in public relations from the Centre of Public Relations and Communication Management in South Africa and a professional certificate in marketing from the Chartered Institute of Marketing in the U.K. During his Humphrey year, he intends to study public relations and social media. Derya Kaya, from Turkey, is experienced in several areas of the nonprofit sector, having worked as a development professional, social entrepreneur, volunteer and activist in her country for almost 10 years. She works for Women for Women’s Human Rights-New Ways, a nongovernmental organization that promotes gender equality and women’s human rights. Kaya holds a bachelor’s degree in international relations from Galatasaray University in Istanbul and hopes to expand her knowledge in the field of communications and public relations during her Humphrey year. Koumouréoua (Issa) Napon, from Burkina Faso, is a news anchor and reporter for RTB, the public radio and television station in Burkina Faso, where he has worked for 16 years. He was honored with a CNN African Journalists Award after being selected from 2,000 candidates across 40 African countries. The CNN awards contest celebrates the best African journalists. He holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees in communication and journalism from the Université de Ouagadougou and the Université AUBE Nouvelle. During his Humphrey year, Napon will study online media and investigative journalism. Javaria Tareen, from Pakistan, reports for the Balochistan Times and has experience in reporting, radio and public relations. She has been covering gender issues, child protection and education for the past eight years. She holds a bachelor’s degree in information technology, and master’s degrees in international relations and media and journalism. She also is studying law at the University of Balochistan. During her Humphrey year, Tareen hopes to learn more about new media, online technique and public relations strategies.