2015 winners
Five journalists from as many countries were awarded the 2015 World Water Week Journalist Grant. They travelled to Stockholm to report from the conference.
The 2015 grant winners all share a passion for reporting on water, but through different perspectives.
The grant winners were:
Seun Akioye, Nigeria
Seun Akioye works for The Nation in Nigeria, where he the past years has dedicated his reporting on Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) issues, striving to bring positive change towards reaching an acceptable standard of WASH policies in the country.
Stories:
- Solidarity for a water wise world
- World leaders call for action on water scarcity
- Fear of Buhari cuts Nigeria’s conference attendance
- Nigeria to benefit from $47m UNESCO water study
- World Water Week: Nigerian officials act prudent
Rhaydz Barcia, The Philippines
Coming from one of the world’s most natural disaster prone countries, the Philippines, Rhaydz Barcia focuses her reporting on climate change and disaster risk reduction. She currently works as a correspondent for the Manila Times and as a stringer for Reuters and other outlets.
Stories:
- Water supply shortage tackled at international meet
- Include water crisis in Paris climate talks, leaders urge
- Delegates from 150 countries unite for global water sustainability
Ramesh Bhushal, Nepal
Ramesh Bhushal works for one of the leading environmental news sites in South Asia, Third Pole, where he covers the Himalaya region. Often referred to as the “water tower of Asia”, the region boasts some of the world’s largest rivers, but with fierce competition over water, millions still struggle to quench their thirst.
Stories:
- Experts demand water be given higher profile at climate talks
- Water Nobel winner seeks water rights for people
Selay Marius Kouassi, Côte D’Ivoire
Selay Marius Kouassi is an investigative journalist from Côte D’Ivoire, a country that has among the lowest rate of access to clean water and adequate sanitation in West Africa. Selay works for multiple outlets such as Abidjan Live News, BBC Afrique and Radio Netherlands.
- World Water Week opens with call to include water in next climate change talks
- Journalists highlight other forms of corruption that undermine efforts to improve water access in Africa
Stella Paul, India
Applying a gender issues lens in her reporting, Stella Paul from the water scarce Andra Pradesh state of India has in her work for global outlets such as IPS and Thomson Reuters illuminated for example the link between drought and sex trafficking in women.
Stories:
- Q&A: “We Must Put Everything Aside and Just Focus on Water”
- As the need for power surges, are small – or big – dams the answer?
All journalists faced tough competition from over a hundred qualified applicants, more than double the number compared to 2014.
At the week, the journalists networked with experts, leaders and practitioners, and reported on critical issues relating to this year’s theme on water and development.
