CNN Academy Program 2025 for Young Storytellers from the Global South
Deadline: June 23, 2025
The CNN Academy Program 2025 is now open for applications from emerging storytellers in the Global South, focusing on health and humanitarian issues. The program aims to train early-career journalists and content creators to report impactful, human-centered stories that highlight local health challenges and systemic factors.
The CNN Academy Program 2025 is now accepting applications for young storytellers from the Global South who are eager to develop their journalism skills and tell powerful, impactful stories about pressing health issues. This initiative recognizes that in today’s world, health crises such as epidemics, disease outbreaks, and humanitarian emergencies are more prevalent and complex than ever before. Addressing these challenges requires a new wave of journalists and storytellers who are not only skilled at reporting facts but who can also craft compelling, human-centered narratives that raise awareness, hold power to account, and mobilize action.
These stories are inherently local—they reflect the realities and experiences of communities directly affected by health crises. To effectively tell these stories, storytellers must have a deep understanding of the cultural, political, and systemic factors shaping health outcomes on the ground. This program is dedicated to nurturing emerging journalists from the Global South—regions often at the epicenter of global health emergencies but underrepresented in mainstream media coverage. By focusing on areas such as Sub-Saharan Africa, parts of Asia, Latin America, and the Caribbean, the program aims to amplify voices from these regions and ensure that their stories receive the global attention they deserve.
Throughout the program, participants will gain essential skills in investigative and human-centered storytelling, learn to navigate the unique challenges of reporting in diverse environments, and develop the ability to produce stories with depth, context, and impact. The ultimate goal is to equip a new generation of storytellers who can illuminate critical health issues with nuance and authenticity.
Program Structure
Phase One: Virtual Training (July to October 1, 2025)
The first phase of the CNN Academy Program is conducted entirely online via the CNN Academy Hub. During this period, participants will undertake a series of interactive courses designed to sharpen their storytelling abilities and deepen their understanding of global health issues affecting the Global South. These courses will cover various topics, including storytelling techniques, multimedia journalism, ethics, and the nuances of reporting on health crises in diverse cultural settings. To progress to the next stage, participants must successfully complete all coursework, earn designated badges, and submit a pitch for a story they wish to produce using the skills acquired during the program.
Phase Two: In-Person Training and Simulation (November 2025, Abu Dhabi)
Selected participants will be invited to Abu Dhabi for hands-on training and immersive experiences. The in-person phase focuses on mobile journalism techniques and real-world storytelling practices, guided by CNN Academy’s expert trainers. Participants will also take part in the 2025 CNN Academy Simulation, a dynamic exercise centered on global health reporting. This simulation is designed to mimic the pressures of a real newsroom environment, providing participants with invaluable experience in producing impactful stories under deadline constraints. The simulation aims to foster practical skills, teamwork, and quick thinking, culminating in the creation of stories that highlight pressing health issues in the Global South.
Eligibility Criteria
Applicants must meet the following requirements:
– Reside and work in a country classified as part of the Global South, including developing nations in Latin America and the Caribbean, Africa, and Asia.
– Identify as a content creator, journalist, or storyteller in the early stages of their career.
– Have a portfolio showcasing relevant work that demonstrates storytelling ability.
– Possess strong communication skills, with fluency in spoken and written English.
– Be committed to actively participating in the entire training program and applying learned skills to their reporting projects.
– Be willing and able to travel to Abu Dhabi for the CNN Academy Simulation in November 2025.
Application Process
To apply for Phase One, interested candidates must submit a brief application that verifies their eligibility, including background information and an explanation of why they are a suitable candidate for the program. Successful applicants will be granted access to the virtual courses and will work toward earning a certificate of completion.
If selected to advance to Phase Two, applicants will be asked to submit:
– Samples of their previous work in journalism or storytelling.
– Proof of their origin from a country within the Global South (such as official identification or documentation confirming their nationality/residence).
After completing and passing all required courses, participants will be prompted to upload a story pitch. This pitch should outline a story idea aligned with global health issues relevant to the Global South, demonstrating a thorough understanding of the topic and a realistic approach to reporting and production on the ground.
This program offers a unique opportunity for emerging storytellers from the Global South to enhance their skills, connect with global media professionals, and contribute to vital health journalism that can inform, inspire, and ignite change in communities worldwide.
In conclusion, the CNN Academy Program 2025 represents a vital step toward empowering emerging journalists from the Global South to tell impactful, human-centered stories about pressing health issues. By providing comprehensive virtual training and immersive in-person experiences, the program aims to develop a new generation of storytellers equipped with the skills, cultural understanding, and ethical grounding necessary to illuminate health crises affecting their communities. These narratives are essential not only for raising awareness and fostering accountability but also for inspiring global action rooted in authentic local perspectives. As the program seeks to amplify underrepresented voices and enhance global health journalism, it underscores the importance of diverse storytelling in addressing complex health challenges and advancing equitable, informed responses worldwide.
For more information, visit CNN Academy Program.