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World Press journalists coming to Ely this week

Nine foreign journalists will spend this weekend in Ely as part of the annual World Press Institute fellows’ tour.The journalists meet with major political leaders and nationally-noted economists, and see America’s largest cities’ media outlets during a four-month visit to the country.And, just as they have for the past 12 years, the journalists will also make Ely - and the Ely Echo - part of their visit.The journalists will spend three nights in homes of area families and individuals and meet the public Sunday (10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., Grand Ely Lodge), during a forum sponsored by the Echo.Both national and international issues are likely to be addressed by this year’s WPI contingent, who represent Bhutan, Bulgaria, China, Ecuador, India, Nigeria, Panama, Sweden and Zambia.“Not too many times in Ely do you have the opportunity to gain insight into international and world affairs from people who are observing them first hand, reporting on them or being a part of them,” said Echo publisher Anne Swenson. “Some from past years have found themselves in the midst of war. They’ve interviewed presidents and kings and the man on the street, and delved into subjects such as pollution and poverty, the arts and human rights, the full scope of mankind.“Here in Ely we’ll have the opportunity to speak to, listen to and learn from people whose job it is to report on events from around the world.”In existence since 1961, the WPI program was founded at Macalester College of St. Paul. It brings up to 10 journalists from around the world to America each year for a four-month visit including study, travel and interviews focused on the national media, government, politics, business, education, technology and culture.Last year, the journalists visited the headquarters of major national media outlets, met with major political leaders, nationally-noted economists, and common citizens, and were introduced to small-town newspaper coverage at the Echo panel discussion.And while their visit provides a valuable educational opportunity for area residents and visitors, the journalists have traditionally found Ely to be one of their favorite stops in their cross-country travels.The panel discussion includes a break for lunch, and continues through early afternoon.There is no charge to attend. There is a $10 fee for the Lumberjack Luncheon of sandwiches and salad. Lunch tickets are available at the Echo office, 2 East Sheridan, and at the event.This year’s fellows include Olga Manda Mwaba of Zambia. She is a freelance correspondent for a German news agency and Radio France International, as well as the online publication Africawoman.“I believe information is power and people have a right to information,” Mwaba said. “I want to utilize my knowledge of development communication to provide information for social change.”Bulgarian Petya Dikova is a reporter for 24 Chassa, which sets the standard for post-socialist era newspapers in her country. She covers international news and European affairs.Gu Wenjun of China is news director for Dragon TV of Shanghai. She has worked as a newspaper reporter and website editor but now works in television. Currently, she is responsible for two English-language news programs.Panamanian Tilcia Delgado reports on business, economics and free trade as a reporter at La Prensa, one of her nation’s most influential newspapers.From India comes Ramesh Vinayak, a highly regarded war correspondent. He is now special corespondent and group bureau chief for India Today, India’s leading news weekly. He also helped launch two 24-hour television news channels.“It has become imperative for an Indian journalist like me, who has had a ringside view of terror on the (Indian) subcontinent for 16 years, to understand its new global manifestations and ramifications,” said Vinayak.Ugyen Penjor works for Kuensel, the only newspaper in the country of Bhutan. He said journalism is still a new concept in his country.“I am curious to learn what it is like working as a journalist in the land of freedom and liberty,” said Penjor. “And I want to see if the average American thinks, talks and behaves like the politicians or the other famous personalities that I see on TV.”Hailing from Sweden, Liselott Persson is a reporter for Sveriges Television of Stockholm. She produces new and feature stories for ‘abc,’ a regional news program. Persson helped pioneer investigative reporting at Swedish Television, where she also produced documentaries.Elisa Sicouret is a reporter for Hogar, a monthly women’s magazine in Ecuador. Prior to her magazine work she was an award-winning reporter at El Universo, the country’s leading newspaper.“Ecuador is a Third World country where you can write a story today and go to jail for it the next morning,” said Sicouret. “I consider the journalist’s true mission (is) to show the human side of the news.”Louis Iba is business correspondent for The Punch, Nigeria’s most widely read newspaper. He comes from the oil-rich and turbulent Niger Delta.Ely area hosts for the weekend include Swenson, John and Judy Viken, Sharee Johnson and Steve Karklins, Laura and Joey Kenig, Barb Berglund, Steve Larson, Jan and Phil Hogan, Emily Wahlberg, and Carol and Paul Knuti.

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