For journalists who have successfully steered public attention towards food security topics.
In recognition of the important role of the media in the fight against hunger, FAO has since 1979 presented the A.H. Boerma Award to journalists or groups of journalists, from around the world, who have brought food security and rural development issues in developing countries to the attention of civil society.
Journalists are key allies for FAO in raising awareness of the problem of hunger and malnutrition. They communicate complex agricultural and economic issues to the wider public and report on successful solutions and projects in the battle against hunger. But we must not forget their equally important role of providing millions of farmers with valuable information on how to produce more food in a sustainable way.
The A.H. Boerma Award commemorates the significant contribution of former FAO Director-General, Addeke Hendrik Boerma (1968 – 1975) to FAO, his able leadership and the important steps he took towards solving global food problems of unprecedented magnitude.
The Award consists of an inscribed medal, a scroll describing the winner’s achievements and a cash prize of USD 10,000.
Previous winners have included The Guardian – Development team, Financial Times journalist Javier Blas and CNN International's Jim Clancy, producer and host of Inside Africa.
Nominations for the award can be submitted by FAO Assistant Directors-General and Directors at FAO headquarters in Rome, FAO Regional and Subregional Representatives, FAO Country Representatives and Directors of FAO liaison offices.
Each nomination should be accompanied by background information on the nominee, a selection of media material that successfully represents the nominee's work and was published or broadcast during the last four years.
The winners travel to Rome to receive their awards from the Director-General at a special ceremony held during the year of the FAO Conference.