About Us
Mission | PIWDW Newswire Service | About our Literacy Initiatives | About Citizen Journalism | Staff | Meet the Journalists | Board of Directors
Mission
The Press Institute for Women in the Developing World is an international nonprofit organization and citizen journalism initiative. The Institute was founded on the belief that journalism is an empowering tool that can bring voice, strength and light to issues that are hidden and people who are oppressed. It is in this vein that the Institute trains people in developing countries to serve as reporters in their own communities. Specifically, The Press Institute recognizes the unique social position and distinct advantages of providing education and skills training to women in developing countries. The Press Institute trains only women with no prior journalism experience in hopes of developing personal empowerment and buidling community for women in the developing world. Once hired by the PI, our journalists are dedicated to telling untold stories and empowering themselves and others through education and journalism. The Press Institute emphasizes reporting on six core issues that most affect women in their communities: HIV/AIDS, violence against women, poverty, reproductive rights, political oppression, and community development. The Press Institute currently operates two Global Training Sites: Chiapas, Mexico and Kathmandu, Nepal. The third Global Training Site is expected to launch in Kigali, Rwanda in early 2008.
Press Institute Newswire Service
Articles produced by Press Institute reporters are available for reprint and publication. We encourage major media outlets, blogs, community and university news sources to further disseminate the timely and important content that appears on this site. The Press Institute seeks minimal royalties for articles reprinted in other publications or online sites. Any royalties collected will be shared with the author. If you are interested in subscribing to the newswire, or using our pay-per-use service click here for registration and copyright information.
Program Goals
The goals of PIWDW programs are three fold. First and foremost, we seek to provide gainful and empowering employment to women in developing countries. Second, we aim to disseminate information and news stories about important issues within the communities where we work. Third, all of the stories and photographs produced by Press Institute reporters are published on our international, multi-lingual newswire so that other news outlets all over the world can reprint our timely and important content.
Our Literacy Initiatives
The Press Institute believes that education and access to information are basic human rights. So, in addition to our journalistic pursuits The Press Institute also establishes free literacy centers in every community where The Institute operates. Press Institute literacy centers are available to men, women, and children in the community. Free classes are offered fours days per week and special courses are offered for women who want to hone their literacy skills in order to later participate in our journalism training program. We believe that an increase in literacy combined with the production of ethical, thorough journalism will allow people everywhere to lead freer, fuller lives.
About Citizen Journalism
Citizen Journalism allows ordinary people to play active roles in collecting, reporting and writing about important news and information. The Press Institute for Women in the Developing World is a citizen journalism initiative, which means that we train ordinary women in the developing world to report on important issues within their own communities. What sets us apart from other citizen media iniatitives is our rigorous, ethics-based curriculum. Press Institute reporters contantly strive for in-depth, fair coverage on difficult, under-reported, or often misrepresented issues.
Staff
The Press Institute has offices in the United States, Mexico and Nepal. Click here for staff information.
Meet the Journalists
Press Institute Journalists: Mexico
Click here
to learn more about Marissa, Adriana, Juana, and Maria Antonieta -- the inaugural class of PIWDW journalists in Chiapas, Mexico.
Press Institute Journalists: Nepal
Click here
to learn more about Anju, Tara, Kamala, and Kalpana -- the newest class of PIWDW journalists in Kathmandu, Nepal.
Board of Directors
Cristi Hegranes*, President, Founder
Aleishall Girard Maxon*, Vice President
Kelly McBride*Secretary
Jonathan Hegranes*, Treasurer
Brett Allen*
Becky Bowers
Theresa Braine
Jamie Holmes
Dr. Marcia Mikulak
Dr. Manju Mishra
Robin Sloan
Judith Vialva
Get to know The Press Institute's directors! Click here to read the director bios.
* indicates members of the executive committee.
The mission and activities of The Press Institute are dedicated to the memory of Pauline Gomez.
Subscribe to RSS feed