“Latin America and the Millennium Development Goals” Journalism Award Second Edition

Jury Announces Winners

The jurors of the “Latin America and the Millennium Development Goals” Journalism Award” praised the overall outstanding quality of the vast majority of the pieces submitted, the rigor in reporting, their eloquence and capacity to draw in readers, the strong element of denunciation they contained while at the same time conveying a message of hope and determination to overcome odds, and lastly their significance as wake-up calls to step up efforts towards attaining the Millennium Development Goals.

They also expressed their satisfaction at finding so many journalists across Latin America who are keenly sensitive to the critical situation suffered by their fellow Latin Americans, and who exhibit a humane and professional commitment to change that reality.

The jury thus wishes to extend its warmest congratulations to each and every one of the participants.

After thorough consideration, the jury unanimously selected the following as the winning pieces:

First Prize:
“Tereso es el ejemplo” (Tereso Is Just One Example), by Mario Alejandro Muñoz de Loza. El Informador, Guadalajara, Mexico.

This series of articles provides a poignant portrayal of poverty in Mexico, illustrated through an individual case - the death of a young indigenous man forsaken by his family and the State. Exhaustive in its examination of state figures on health, economy, government spending and safety, the series is both moving and revealing, while delivering a harsh social critique.
Read the awarded story >>

Second Prize:
“Quilombola - Os dereitos negados de um povo” (Quilombola - A Peoples' Rights Denied), by Silvia Regina Bessa. Diario de Pernambuco, Brazil.

Superbly written, this report illustrates the reality of the Afro-Brazilian Quilombola communities, through an in-depth investigation and numerous interviews. The author uses various sources, interweaving statistics and research findings with testimonies in which Quilombolo people share their thoughts and feelings. The result is a harrowing portrait of poverty, exclusion and discrimination in Brazil, and an outstanding piece of investigative reporting.
Read the awarded story >>>

Third Prize:
“La escolaridad es blanco de la violencia” (Schools Targeted by Violence), by Adriana Rivera. El Nacional, Revista Siete Días, Venezuela.

An insightful report on education in Venezuela, where teenagers deal daily with violence, and the efforts of educational authorities to bring young people into school and prevent them from dropping out.
Read the awarded story >>

Fourth Prize:
“Tartagal, la tragedia” (The Tragedy of Tartagal), by Abel Dante Leguizamón. Diario Día a Día, Córdoba, Argentina

A very well-written report that describes life in the town of Tartagal, in the Argentine province of Salta, following a massive mudslide that swept over the community, laying bare its situation of poverty and deprivation.
Read the awarded story >>

Fifth Prize (shared):

“Cuando se vive con un dólar al día” d(Living on a Dollar a Day), by Guadalupe del Rocío Yapud. Diario La Hora, Ecuador In Ecuador, poverty pushes children to work at a very early age, often turning them into their families' only source of income. A heart-rending story that sheds light on the miserable conditions under which many of the region's indigenous people live. Read the awarded story >>

“Heidi y Gretel” (Heidi and Gretel), by María Paz Cuevas. Revista Paula, Chile. This winning article tells the story of two women who raised nine children together and were forced to become drug dealers in order to support them. A beautifully written and touching account. Read the awarded story >>