Purpose and Theme of the Prize

Turkey, as the host country of the 5th World Water Forum, aims to honour individuals who have contributed to society’s increased awareness of water-related issues, through the endowment of a prize. The importance of the media in fostering a paradigm shift in public opinion cannot be underestimated.

Within this context, it has been decided to organize the Turkish Republic Prime Minister’s Water Prize, which will be an award to journalists, during the 5th World Water Forum which will take place between March 16th and 22nd, 2009 in Istanbul.

The Turkish Republic Prime Minister’s Water Prize will be awarded for the first time during the 5th World Water Forum, and will be offered to one local and one foreign journalist for their excellent published works on water-related issues, in the Turkish and non-Turkish press. From among the applicants, one Turkish winner and one non-Turkish winner will be selected by a distinguished jury which will consist of international water experts and journalists.

The Prize Money

The total amount of the prize is € 40 000. This prize will be given to one Turkish and one non-Turkish journalist after the screening process of their submissions of an article published in the Turkish or non-Turkish press. Each winning journalist will receive a prize of €20 000.

Relationship to the 5th World Water Forum

The World Water Forum is a process which aims to raise the importance, awareness and understanding of water issues and propose concrete solutions to address global challenges. The challenge face by those involved in the organization of the 5th World Water Forum is to make it a turning point for water management in the world. The 5th World Water Forum will bring the world to Istanbul to improve our understanding of divergent points of view and allow us to share solutions.

The general theme of the prize, which is at the same time the main theme of the 5th World Water Forum, is “Bridging Divides for Water”. This theme implies bridging divides between east and west; north and south, the rich and the poor; developed and developing countries; and supply and demand. Furthermore, it describes the reconciliation of these differences for a better management of water resources. This theme also emphasizes the need for greater interaction, communication and functional harmonization of the various entities involved in or affected by water management, and sends out a message to the water community that water is not an end in itself, but rather a means for our development and well-being.

Applicants shall associate their published works to the overarching theme of the Forum, “Bridging Divides for Water”.

Definition of candidates

Any journalist whose work has been published in the Turkish or non-Turkish press can be a candidate for the Turkish Republic Prime Minister’s Water Prize.

Criteria to evaluate applications

Certain criteria will be taken into account in the evaluation of the candidates’ applications. The candidates should pay attention to the criteria mentioned below:
a) The originality and the quality of the article in terms of their content.
b) The impact of the article on public opinion on water-related issues.
c) The article’s association with the 5th World Water Forum’s main theme “Bridging Divides for Water”.

Application documents

The following documents are requested to validate the application:

Applications will be accepted through the 5th World Water Forum’s Virtual Meeting Space (VMS), up to February 15th, 2009.

Contact Information

Secretariat of the Turkish Republic Prime Minister’s Water Prize
Tel:    +902163254992   
E-mail: TRPM Water Prize Secretariat