Jenny Blogs....
I am really looking forward to D1100 Conference at Warwick University, it has come around so quickly I can't believe it is next week! We are all busy preparing our presentations, and I hope to get mine sent to John tonight. I have found it hard to fit a month's worth of wonderful experiences into 5 minutes, and choose the photographs that really do Sri Lanka justice, I just hope it will be alright on the night - I am sure it will, after our experience at Conference in Colombo we are seasoned professionals at talking to hundreds of people!
Monday 28 March 2011
Jenny's Vocational Visits (Updated)
Apologies this is comng a bit late, I wrote it a while back and did not post until now! I had a very busy last 2 days in Sri Lanka, which was great as it slowed time down a little bit and allowed me to really make the most of my final hours in this fantastic country.
On Thursday 24th February I had 2 vocational visits, to 2 different vocations!
Due to illness I was unable to attend my pre-scheduled vocational visit to the Department of Forestry, and was really upset to have missed it. Once we were back in Colombo for our final week Dr. Suresh very kindly rescheduled it for me. He picked me up from my host's house in the morning and we drove to the Department which is on the edge of Colombo.
It was a very impressive building, designed in a square shape with a garden in the middle of the office space, where trees had been allowed to grow almost to the height of the building itself - very interesting. Suresh and I met with the Senior Conservation Manager, and I was able to ask him questions regarding forest policy in Sri Lanka, their main issues and focuses, and the work that they carry out with private owners of forests and community woodlands.
We also went up to the library, and I was able to come away with a copy of the annual report for 2008/9 which has a wealth of information about the projects that have been undertaken which I am sure will be useful.
We met Rtn. Kingsley who emailed me copies of the report for the last 5 years, and on the way out I took pictures of me at the Department with the English Heritage flag.
After the excellent and interesting visit Suresh dropped me at my next stop - the head office for Iron Mountain Records Management in Sri Lanka.
There is a story of luck behind this visit; at a Rotary Club meeting at the Galadari Hotel on Wednesday 23rd I was lucky enough to meet Thurab, who works for Records Management company Iron Mountain in Colombo, and he introduced me to his boss, Imthiaz Ismail, who is the Rotary District Governor. I had of course met him previously, but we had not discussed his profession so I had no idea that a visit could have been on the cards for me.
This visit was of interest to me, as it is the field I currently work in for English Heritage. Thurab and Imthiaz were very helpful and arranged for me to see their work the following day, after my Forestry Department visit, as my time in Sri Lanka was running out fast.
At the office I was met by Thurab, and introduced to the customer services team, who carry out a very similar role to mine back in the UK. I was able to talk to them and find out how they operate, and what issues they have.
Thurab then took me to see their storage facility, about 30minutes drive away. It was very impressive and I was shown all 4 storage warehouses they have and we talked through the management of the site.
We then went for lunch at a very nice coffee shop and ate bagels and huge slabs of chocolate fudge cake, a real treat!
On the way back to the office we visited the National Library and the National Archives, where we were shown around by the Assistant Director. The collections were very impressive, including a store of every newspaper ever printed in Sri Lanka, and the first book ever printed. The National Archive is currently undergoing renovation works to make it much bigger, and will be a very striking building once finished.
Back at the office I met Imthiaz and thanked him for allowing Thurab to spend the day showing me around, and was dropped back at my host's house with 1 hour to get ready and be back out again for a Rotary dinner meeting with the Cinnamon Gardens club at Excel World.
A brilliant and very full day, visiting a range of vocations. My heartfelt thanks go to Thurab and Imthiaz for their time, and arranging this impromptu visit that had real value for me and my profession.
On Thursday 24th February I had 2 vocational visits, to 2 different vocations!
Due to illness I was unable to attend my pre-scheduled vocational visit to the Department of Forestry, and was really upset to have missed it. Once we were back in Colombo for our final week Dr. Suresh very kindly rescheduled it for me. He picked me up from my host's house in the morning and we drove to the Department which is on the edge of Colombo.
It was a very impressive building, designed in a square shape with a garden in the middle of the office space, where trees had been allowed to grow almost to the height of the building itself - very interesting. Suresh and I met with the Senior Conservation Manager, and I was able to ask him questions regarding forest policy in Sri Lanka, their main issues and focuses, and the work that they carry out with private owners of forests and community woodlands.
We also went up to the library, and I was able to come away with a copy of the annual report for 2008/9 which has a wealth of information about the projects that have been undertaken which I am sure will be useful.
We met Rtn. Kingsley who emailed me copies of the report for the last 5 years, and on the way out I took pictures of me at the Department with the English Heritage flag.
After the excellent and interesting visit Suresh dropped me at my next stop - the head office for Iron Mountain Records Management in Sri Lanka.
There is a story of luck behind this visit; at a Rotary Club meeting at the Galadari Hotel on Wednesday 23rd I was lucky enough to meet Thurab, who works for Records Management company Iron Mountain in Colombo, and he introduced me to his boss, Imthiaz Ismail, who is the Rotary District Governor. I had of course met him previously, but we had not discussed his profession so I had no idea that a visit could have been on the cards for me.
This visit was of interest to me, as it is the field I currently work in for English Heritage. Thurab and Imthiaz were very helpful and arranged for me to see their work the following day, after my Forestry Department visit, as my time in Sri Lanka was running out fast.
At the office I was met by Thurab, and introduced to the customer services team, who carry out a very similar role to mine back in the UK. I was able to talk to them and find out how they operate, and what issues they have.
Thurab then took me to see their storage facility, about 30minutes drive away. It was very impressive and I was shown all 4 storage warehouses they have and we talked through the management of the site.
We then went for lunch at a very nice coffee shop and ate bagels and huge slabs of chocolate fudge cake, a real treat!
On the way back to the office we visited the National Library and the National Archives, where we were shown around by the Assistant Director. The collections were very impressive, including a store of every newspaper ever printed in Sri Lanka, and the first book ever printed. The National Archive is currently undergoing renovation works to make it much bigger, and will be a very striking building once finished.
Back at the office I met Imthiaz and thanked him for allowing Thurab to spend the day showing me around, and was dropped back at my host's house with 1 hour to get ready and be back out again for a Rotary dinner meeting with the Cinnamon Gardens club at Excel World.
A brilliant and very full day, visiting a range of vocations. My heartfelt thanks go to Thurab and Imthiaz for their time, and arranging this impromptu visit that had real value for me and my profession.
Wednesday 16 March 2011
Reporter Shares Social Media Tips In Sri Lanka
A local news report ...
Reporter shares social media tips in Sri Lanka
A reporter from a regional daily has passed on her knowledge of using social media to journalists in Sri Lanka as part of a month-long vocational exchange. Claire Fry from the Worcester News spoke to editors and journalists at the Sri Lanka Press Institute in Colombo about how they could use social media to improve their work and gather stories.
She was asked to do the presentation after meeting the institute's chairman, Kumar Nadesan, earlier in her travels and explaining how journalists at the Worcester News used Facebook, Twitter and Flip video cameras in their day-to-day working life.
Claire, who is about to start working for Wolverhampton daily the Express & Star, was in Sri Lanka for a month as part of a Group Study Exchange organised and sponsored by Rotary International.
She said: "To be asked to make a presentation to the institute really was an honour and was something I couldn't turn down. I had visited a number of media outlets, newspapers, TV stations and radio stations in the country and while many were producing some good products, I just felt some were not using social media to their advantage as much as they could. Although I'm not used to public speaking, and by no means see myself as an expert in the field, I'm a journalist who uses the sites and understands how to pick up a good story using them.
"I was really proud and honoured to be asked to share ideas with other journalists, and to do it in a country where journalists don't have the same freedoms as we do here, I couldn't turn it down."
Claire added she had received help with the presentation from the Worcester News' digital editor Murray Kelso and had made previous presentations to Rotarians across the country about being on the GSE team.
She was selected to attend the exchange with four other people from different professions after undergoing vigorous interviews from her own sponsoring Rotary Club in Worcester and then by Rotary International.
Reporter shares social media tips in Sri Lanka
A reporter from a regional daily has passed on her knowledge of using social media to journalists in Sri Lanka as part of a month-long vocational exchange. Claire Fry from the Worcester News spoke to editors and journalists at the Sri Lanka Press Institute in Colombo about how they could use social media to improve their work and gather stories.
She was asked to do the presentation after meeting the institute's chairman, Kumar Nadesan, earlier in her travels and explaining how journalists at the Worcester News used Facebook, Twitter and Flip video cameras in their day-to-day working life.
Claire, who is about to start working for Wolverhampton daily the Express & Star, was in Sri Lanka for a month as part of a Group Study Exchange organised and sponsored by Rotary International.
She said: "To be asked to make a presentation to the institute really was an honour and was something I couldn't turn down. I had visited a number of media outlets, newspapers, TV stations and radio stations in the country and while many were producing some good products, I just felt some were not using social media to their advantage as much as they could. Although I'm not used to public speaking, and by no means see myself as an expert in the field, I'm a journalist who uses the sites and understands how to pick up a good story using them.
"I was really proud and honoured to be asked to share ideas with other journalists, and to do it in a country where journalists don't have the same freedoms as we do here, I couldn't turn it down."
Claire added she had received help with the presentation from the Worcester News' digital editor Murray Kelso and had made previous presentations to Rotarians across the country about being on the GSE team.
She was selected to attend the exchange with four other people from different professions after undergoing vigorous interviews from her own sponsoring Rotary Club in Worcester and then by Rotary International.
Monday 14 March 2011
Still Not A Lot Of Press Freedom
A journalist in Sri Lanka asked me if I ever worried about my safety when I reported stories. It was then that I realised how very different our lives were – as while it always pays to be careful and alert when you are entering someone’s house or perhaps even leaving court to write a story, there has not recently, to my knowledge, been any cases in England of a journalist going missing or even losing their life for their profession. In my career, I have been sworn at, been sent nasty e-mails, had abusive phonecalls and our newspaper had a brick thrown through the window, but nothing has rocked me so much it has made me consider not doing my job anymore. In fact, it just makes you more determined.
In Sri Lanka it is very different. I have been told about something dubbed ‘The White Van’ syndrome. A van turns up outside a journalist’s house and they then go missing.
Amnesty International has reported that since 2006, at least 10 journalists have lost their lives in the country. I was unable to personally find any definitive figure for the number that had gone missing, assaulted or left the country because of what they had reported. But there were strong undertones that it had happened and even suggestions that it still could be happening. I had even been told that Sri Lanka was the third most dangerous country to be a journalist. A difficult figure to swallow when you visit the country that is classed as the jewel in the ocean, and has some of the best hospitality and scenery I have ever had the fortune to encounter.
There was a touch of sadness in this too as I wouldn’t want tourists to be put off by these figures and findings as it really is a country that is on the up, and I think in about five years’ time it will be a very different place, have a much firmer infrastructure and will have put the civil war a lot further behind it. And I would actively encourage anyone to go there. But I can’t sugar my findings and I hope these next few years prove vital in the training of journalists and freedom of the press that we are fortunate to have in the UK.
During my trip I was fortunate to be able to visit a number of news, television and media outlets in Sri Lanka. Many were state-owned or run, and the difference between the private and state ones was clear to see. Many were very careful about what they told me and about how they were run and gathered their stories. The more open were those that were owned by families or were privately owned.
One of my vocational visits was to the MTV studios in Colombo, which broadcasts television and radio – not to be confused with the music television station. Just under two years ago, the country’s largest private TV broadcaster was attacked by gunmen armed with grenades, who shot up equipment, causing thousands of pounds worth of damage.
Thankfully, no one was hurt in the raid, and within just two hours, the station was back on the air thanks to the dedication of its employees, who had all found out about the attack and rushed in to help. While it is still recovering from the 2009 attack, there is still question marks over who exactly targeted it and no one has been caught for it. It is believed, however, that it was due to some of its coverage of army movements and the Tamil Tiger rebels in the north of the country at that time. We were taken into the room where it happened, which is still severely burnt-out but work is under way to restore it to its former state.
Warren Jansen, director of MTV, said: “We believe we are trying to improve the country by showing the balance in our reporting. We are extremely balanced in our reporting and there is always both sides to it, which is how it should be. Some in the country still are not, even since the war ended. It is a very dangerous place to be a journalist.” MTV has three TV stations, operating in English, Sinhalese and Tamil, along with four radio stations.
Askoka Dias, director of the station, said the attack showed how resilient they were. “We lost some valuable equipment. The masked men attacked at 1.35am and destroyed the master control room, which was one of the best in the country. But our staff came out as soon as they heard and we were soon back on air. Broadcasting is a business that has a risk, but what we want is an environment where there is fair play and good practice.” That seemed to be a strong theme.
In fact, in our first week we were there an online paper was attacked and had to shut down – showing that there is still a great problem with the freedom of press in the country.
In Sri Lanka it is very different. I have been told about something dubbed ‘The White Van’ syndrome. A van turns up outside a journalist’s house and they then go missing.
Amnesty International has reported that since 2006, at least 10 journalists have lost their lives in the country. I was unable to personally find any definitive figure for the number that had gone missing, assaulted or left the country because of what they had reported. But there were strong undertones that it had happened and even suggestions that it still could be happening. I had even been told that Sri Lanka was the third most dangerous country to be a journalist. A difficult figure to swallow when you visit the country that is classed as the jewel in the ocean, and has some of the best hospitality and scenery I have ever had the fortune to encounter.
There was a touch of sadness in this too as I wouldn’t want tourists to be put off by these figures and findings as it really is a country that is on the up, and I think in about five years’ time it will be a very different place, have a much firmer infrastructure and will have put the civil war a lot further behind it. And I would actively encourage anyone to go there. But I can’t sugar my findings and I hope these next few years prove vital in the training of journalists and freedom of the press that we are fortunate to have in the UK.
During my trip I was fortunate to be able to visit a number of news, television and media outlets in Sri Lanka. Many were state-owned or run, and the difference between the private and state ones was clear to see. Many were very careful about what they told me and about how they were run and gathered their stories. The more open were those that were owned by families or were privately owned.
One of my vocational visits was to the MTV studios in Colombo, which broadcasts television and radio – not to be confused with the music television station. Just under two years ago, the country’s largest private TV broadcaster was attacked by gunmen armed with grenades, who shot up equipment, causing thousands of pounds worth of damage.
Thankfully, no one was hurt in the raid, and within just two hours, the station was back on the air thanks to the dedication of its employees, who had all found out about the attack and rushed in to help. While it is still recovering from the 2009 attack, there is still question marks over who exactly targeted it and no one has been caught for it. It is believed, however, that it was due to some of its coverage of army movements and the Tamil Tiger rebels in the north of the country at that time. We were taken into the room where it happened, which is still severely burnt-out but work is under way to restore it to its former state.
Warren Jansen, director of MTV, said: “We believe we are trying to improve the country by showing the balance in our reporting. We are extremely balanced in our reporting and there is always both sides to it, which is how it should be. Some in the country still are not, even since the war ended. It is a very dangerous place to be a journalist.” MTV has three TV stations, operating in English, Sinhalese and Tamil, along with four radio stations.
Askoka Dias, director of the station, said the attack showed how resilient they were. “We lost some valuable equipment. The masked men attacked at 1.35am and destroyed the master control room, which was one of the best in the country. But our staff came out as soon as they heard and we were soon back on air. Broadcasting is a business that has a risk, but what we want is an environment where there is fair play and good practice.” That seemed to be a strong theme.
In fact, in our first week we were there an online paper was attacked and had to shut down – showing that there is still a great problem with the freedom of press in the country.
Sunday 13 March 2011
Our Trip To The Land Of Curry For Breakfast
Claire blogs an article for Worcester News...
After four weeks working and travelling in Sri Lanka I can honestly say it was a once-in-a-liifetime experience and truly life-changing. I have just returned from a month-long vocational and cultural visit to Sri Lanka, which was organised by Rotary International, designed to bring cultures and communities together, while helping young professionals in their fields of work.
When I was told about the opportunity by my editor, who encouraged me to apply, I pretty much said yes straight away without knowing the final details – and I’m so glad I did. I have not only met some incredible people, made some friends for life and had experiences I will never forget, but I have also come to know the country very well, and much better than many tourists will have.
Each year the Rotary Club districts offer the Group Study Exchange (GSE) placements to four young professionals to visit another country, alongside a group leader who is a Rotary Club member. For this year’s exchange, there were 14 who were put forward by Rotary Clubs within our district, and it was pretty stiff competition, so to be chosen was such an honour and privilege. I was sponsored by the Rotary Club of Worcester, who have been such a kind support to me, helping me prepare for the experience and wishing me well, checking on my progress while I have been away.
Our group leader, John Mills, who is a member of Thornbury Rotary Club, near Bristol, was a headteacher for many years and was also an education consultant. His training really helped as he was organised, motivational and most of all encouraged us to have goals for the trip, not just professionally, but personally too, and to reflect on our experiences.
He was then graced by four females in the group – and we became known in Sri Lanka by the many Rotary Clubs as his ‘angels’ – although I’m sure he would say different at some points in the trip! In fact, the name which was given to us on almost the first evening in the country by Dr Suresh Britto who was the Sri Lanka co-ordinator for the GSE team, was so popular, even at the country’s Rotary District Conference that we attended part-way through our trip, the name preceded us and we had many Rotarians we hadn’t met come up to us throughout the event to call us just that.
The other ‘angels’ were Emily Palmer, an occupational therapist based in Bristol, Kath Williams, who works in drug treatment, also from Bristol, and Jenny Simmonds, who works for English Heritage in Swindon. We all got on so well that I’m sure we will continue to see each other, even though we pretty much lived in each other’s pockets for four weeks straight.
The month-long programme was varied, exciting and diverse, with days filled to the brim with meeting people, Rotarians, going on tours, travelling the country, vocational visits, giving presentations and meeting new hosts. Our presentation on ourselves, and our district – with mine including pictures and details about Worcester and Worcestershire County Cricket Club (always a hit with the cricket-mad Sri Lankan men) was given to more than 20 Rotary clubs throughout Sri Lanka. We had all been so nervous on our first presentation with Rotary Uptown Club, but by our last we were like seasoned professionals and it was incredible how much confidence this gave us.
It was also interesting to see how easily we found we could speak to people we had never met before and even sometimes had very little in common with, but they were all so friendly and keen to find out more about us, and also offering help in any way they could, giving us their business cards and saying we could contact them at any time if we got into difficulties, wanted to see more of the country or the city they lived in or needed somewhere to stay.
Their hospitality, friendless, helpfulness and enthusiasm for the programme was evident and we were touched by the whole experience.
Our host families too – about a dozen of them – were extremely welcoming. They encouraged us to feel at home, feeding us Sri Lankan cuisine at all opportunities (curry and rice for breakfast was a particular favourite of theirs) and helping guide us through the day. Many have encouraged us to keep in touch and told us we must visit them the next time we are in Sri Lanka, and I’m sure we will do.
While the days were filled with excitement and were extremely varied, the four weeks involved a lot of hard work too. Being ‘on show’, lively and engaged all the time was difficult, not because we didn’t want to be but more from exhaustion as a result of long days, jet lag and the heat.
But what was great was that when one was flagging, another team member would take the strain and be able to carry the other through the evening or meeting.
My vocational visits took in newspapers, TV and radio stations, and it was quite an experience to see how they were run and the restrictions journalists face in Sri Lanka, which until only recently was deep into a 30-year civil war.
The job they do is difficult and dangerous at times, and I was impressed by their dedication and commitment in such difficult circumstances.
To be given the chance to become immersed in Sri Lankan culture, make lifelong friends and see so much of the country is a once-in-a-lifetime experience and I’m incredibly grateful to Rotary International, the people at the Rotary Club of Worcester, the Worcester News for giving me the time and opportunity to take the leave, friends and loved ones for their support and everyone I met in Sri Lanka for their hospitality.
After four weeks working and travelling in Sri Lanka I can honestly say it was a once-in-a-liifetime experience and truly life-changing. I have just returned from a month-long vocational and cultural visit to Sri Lanka, which was organised by Rotary International, designed to bring cultures and communities together, while helping young professionals in their fields of work.
When I was told about the opportunity by my editor, who encouraged me to apply, I pretty much said yes straight away without knowing the final details – and I’m so glad I did. I have not only met some incredible people, made some friends for life and had experiences I will never forget, but I have also come to know the country very well, and much better than many tourists will have.
Each year the Rotary Club districts offer the Group Study Exchange (GSE) placements to four young professionals to visit another country, alongside a group leader who is a Rotary Club member. For this year’s exchange, there were 14 who were put forward by Rotary Clubs within our district, and it was pretty stiff competition, so to be chosen was such an honour and privilege. I was sponsored by the Rotary Club of Worcester, who have been such a kind support to me, helping me prepare for the experience and wishing me well, checking on my progress while I have been away.
Our group leader, John Mills, who is a member of Thornbury Rotary Club, near Bristol, was a headteacher for many years and was also an education consultant. His training really helped as he was organised, motivational and most of all encouraged us to have goals for the trip, not just professionally, but personally too, and to reflect on our experiences.
He was then graced by four females in the group – and we became known in Sri Lanka by the many Rotary Clubs as his ‘angels’ – although I’m sure he would say different at some points in the trip! In fact, the name which was given to us on almost the first evening in the country by Dr Suresh Britto who was the Sri Lanka co-ordinator for the GSE team, was so popular, even at the country’s Rotary District Conference that we attended part-way through our trip, the name preceded us and we had many Rotarians we hadn’t met come up to us throughout the event to call us just that.
The other ‘angels’ were Emily Palmer, an occupational therapist based in Bristol, Kath Williams, who works in drug treatment, also from Bristol, and Jenny Simmonds, who works for English Heritage in Swindon. We all got on so well that I’m sure we will continue to see each other, even though we pretty much lived in each other’s pockets for four weeks straight.
The month-long programme was varied, exciting and diverse, with days filled to the brim with meeting people, Rotarians, going on tours, travelling the country, vocational visits, giving presentations and meeting new hosts. Our presentation on ourselves, and our district – with mine including pictures and details about Worcester and Worcestershire County Cricket Club (always a hit with the cricket-mad Sri Lankan men) was given to more than 20 Rotary clubs throughout Sri Lanka. We had all been so nervous on our first presentation with Rotary Uptown Club, but by our last we were like seasoned professionals and it was incredible how much confidence this gave us.
It was also interesting to see how easily we found we could speak to people we had never met before and even sometimes had very little in common with, but they were all so friendly and keen to find out more about us, and also offering help in any way they could, giving us their business cards and saying we could contact them at any time if we got into difficulties, wanted to see more of the country or the city they lived in or needed somewhere to stay.
Their hospitality, friendless, helpfulness and enthusiasm for the programme was evident and we were touched by the whole experience.
Our host families too – about a dozen of them – were extremely welcoming. They encouraged us to feel at home, feeding us Sri Lankan cuisine at all opportunities (curry and rice for breakfast was a particular favourite of theirs) and helping guide us through the day. Many have encouraged us to keep in touch and told us we must visit them the next time we are in Sri Lanka, and I’m sure we will do.
While the days were filled with excitement and were extremely varied, the four weeks involved a lot of hard work too. Being ‘on show’, lively and engaged all the time was difficult, not because we didn’t want to be but more from exhaustion as a result of long days, jet lag and the heat.
But what was great was that when one was flagging, another team member would take the strain and be able to carry the other through the evening or meeting.
My vocational visits took in newspapers, TV and radio stations, and it was quite an experience to see how they were run and the restrictions journalists face in Sri Lanka, which until only recently was deep into a 30-year civil war.
The job they do is difficult and dangerous at times, and I was impressed by their dedication and commitment in such difficult circumstances.
To be given the chance to become immersed in Sri Lankan culture, make lifelong friends and see so much of the country is a once-in-a-lifetime experience and I’m incredibly grateful to Rotary International, the people at the Rotary Club of Worcester, the Worcester News for giving me the time and opportunity to take the leave, friends and loved ones for their support and everyone I met in Sri Lanka for their hospitality.
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