Kazakhstan Journalists' Union announces international contest for reporting on Kazakhstan

The Kazakhstan Journalists' Union, in partnership with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Kazakhstan, has announced a contest for foreign journalists reporting on the country entitled "Kazakhstan in the Eyes of Foreign Media".

The contest to be judged by a panel drawn from members of the Journalists' Union and distinguished guests, seeks to encourage high quality and insightful reporting on Kazakhstan in the foreign media.

The contest is open to journalists from North and South America, Europe, CIS countries, the Middle East, Asia, Australia and Oceania, with one winner selected from each region.

Participants wishing to enter, will need to have had an article of up to 1,500 words published in English or Russian between April 7 and June 15, 2014 and send to contest@mfa.kz

To qualify, the article should cover one or more of following areas relating to Kazakhstan: economy and trade, culture and traditions, history and tourism, contemporary society.

The winners will be given a special tour of Kazakhstan, which will incorporate the capital, Astana, the largest city and business center, Almaty, Baikonur, the world's first spaceport, as well as an extensive cultural programme.

Flights, hotel accommodation and transport in the country will be covered.

Winners will have the opportunity to meet with Kazakhstani officials, experts and journalists, as well as representatives of science and culture. The contest aims to establish and build relationships with international correspondents interested in Kazakhstan to help promote and improve the quality of coverage of the country in international media.

Contest participants can be journalists representing foreign print and online media or individuals interested in writing on Kazakhstan.