'The Forgotten Commonwealth'
The closing date for entries is 30 April 2006


CPQ linked up with Rolls-Royce, a name synonymous with excellence, to launch a unique Commonwealth journalism award that honoured the complementary crafts of writing and photo-journalism in a single accolade.

We are offering £1,500 in prizes for the best journalistic article - news or features - which combines original text and pictures and/or graphics that have been commissioned together as a single concept. It is an award for team journalism.

The winners will receive £750 - with £250 extra if the winning entry is previously unpublished. Runners-up will receive £250. Short-listed entries will appear in CPQ magazine.

The theme is deliberately wide-ranging: The Forgotten Commonwealth. It may be very broadly interpreted. It could be a war of liberation that has moved off the front pages; it might be a war against disease, or against crime, or corruption, or injustice. It could be the continuing, but less reported, issue of child soldiers.

It could be a forgotten threat to a way of life, or to the environment`: the danger to rain-forest, or a neglected side of the debate about GM crops. Or the aftermath of some hideous case of pollution. Or indeed the threat to an endangered species, such as Jay Mazoomdar's brilliant expose on India's vanishing tigers, published on these pages.

The interpretations are endless and we hope will appeal to the imaginations of aspiring entrants. There are two defining condition: first that the issue covered is one that has tended to slip from public or media consciousness, when it shouldn't. And secondly the issue covered should have some wider resonance around the Commonwealth, an appeal beyond national borders.

Lindsay Ross, Executive director of the CPU, said: " We all know that in every newsroom and features department there is still too often poor communication between copy and pictures. We want to foster a culture where the two work together as unit - and get the credit for doing so. Journalism is the stronger for it."

Martin Brodie, Head of Communication - Asia and Middle East, Rolls-Royce plc, said: "This is a serious commitment to improving the quality and impact of journalism around the Commonwealth. Rolls-Royce is dedicated to excellence in its business, and has always supported the CPU's attempts to promote excellence in journalism throughout the Commonwealth. We are delighted to be part of what is an excitingly different award scheme."

You too can be part of it - and be winners. Remember the final date is June 30, 2006.

See below for details of how to enter.

The closing date for entries is 30 April 2006.

The winner will be judged on both literary and technical quality and interpretation of the theme title, and the complementary balance of photographs and editorial.

The story should normally be between 1,000-2,500 words, although more or less will be accepted in exceptional circumstances, at the judges' discretion.

Pictures must be high resolution (300 dpi) colour digital images although B&W is acceptable in exceptional circumstances

Entries may be the work of a single person, responsible for both copy and images, or of separate writer and photographer (and/or graphic artist) working as a team. Entrants must be working in Commonwealth countries for Commonwealth newspapers and photographs MUST be taken in Commonwealth countries.

Entries must be sent electronically, accompanied by a completed entry form. The organisers accept no responsibility for entries lost, damaged or delayed in transit.

The decision of the judges will be final and winners will be informed by email.

All entries must be original work of the authors and entrants must be the sole owner of copyright in all material entered, or have written authorisation from the copyright holder.

Send entries to Harry Wilson, News Editor, CPQ at harry@cpu.org.uk