Fully Funded Global Development Conference 2025 in France Open to Journalists Worldwide

Applications are now being accepted for the Global Development Conference 2025, a fully funded event taking place in Clermont-Ferrand, France, from October 28-31, 2025. This conference offers journalists a unique opportunity to engage with leading academics, policymakers, development experts, researchers, and practitioners from around the world, focusing on the theme of ‘Inclusive Digital Transformation: Social Impacts and Technological Innovations.’ Selected participants will receive full sponsorship covering travel and accommodation expenses.

Conference Aims to Enhance Research Communication Skills

The Global Development Conference, organized by the Global Development Network (GDN), serves as a platform to enhance the research communication abilities of journalists. Through training programs and publishing opportunities, the conference aims to make research more accessible to wider audiences and empower journalists to shape global discussions on critical development issues. Participants will attend capacity-building workshops designed to improve their ability to effectively communicate complex development topics.

Conference Details

Host Country: France Host Organisation: Global Development Network (GDN) Location: Clermont-Ferrand, France Dates: October 28–31, 2025

Benefits of Attending the Conference

Selected journalists will benefit from a comprehensive package that eliminates financial barriers to participation:

No registration or participation fees. Grant for travel to France. Accommodation costs covered. Networking opportunities with researchers, academics, and policymakers. Opportunity to experience France.

Eligibility Criteria

The conference is open to journalists from all countries, with priority given to those who meet the following criteria:

Women journalists. Journalists from low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Individuals from underserved or underrepresented communities. Availability to travel to France and attend the full conference from October 28-31, 2025. Interest in engaging with researchers, policymakers, and development experts and participating in capacity-building workshops. Willingness to contribute to collaborative training programs that connect research and media.

Application Process

Interested journalists must apply through an online application form. The application requires:

Personal and contact information. Employment details. Answers to specific questions. CV/resume. Two links to published work. Short motivation statement. Description of a tentative publishing plan related to the conference theme.

Required documents include a CV, passport, published work links, and any other relevant supporting materials.

Application Deadline The deadline to apply for the Global Development Conference 2025 is July 27, 2025.

The Importance of Research Communication in Journalism

Dr. Anya Sharma, a media studies professor at the University of Paris, emphasizes the critical role of journalists in bridging the gap between academic research and public understanding. "In an era of rapid technological advancement and complex global challenges, the ability to effectively communicate research findings is paramount," she states. "Conferences like this are essential for equipping journalists with the tools and networks they need to accurately and engagingly report on critical development issues."

Historical Context and the Evolving Landscape of Development Reporting

The Global Development Network's commitment to fostering collaboration between researchers and journalists builds upon a long history of efforts to improve the quality and impact of development reporting. Historically, development coverage has often been criticized for being overly simplistic, focusing on sensationalism rather than nuanced analysis. However, in recent years, there has been a growing recognition of the need for more informed and critical reporting on development issues, driven by factors such as the increasing complexity of global challenges and the rise of citizen journalism.

According to Dr. Kenji Tanaka, a development economist at the World Bank, "The media plays a crucial role in holding policymakers accountable and ensuring that development interventions are effective and equitable. By providing journalists with access to cutting-edge research and fostering dialogue between researchers and the media, the Global Development Conference can contribute to a more informed and evidence-based approach to development policy."

This conference represents a significant investment in the future of development journalism, empowering journalists to become more effective communicators of research and more critical voices in shaping global development narratives.