Contest Winners Will Accompany Times Op-Ed Columnist Nicholas D. Kristof to Africa

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec. 13, 2009-- The New York Times announced today that it will begin accepting submissions for the fourth annual “Win a Trip With Nick” contest on Dec. 14. The contest was conceived of by Pulitzer Prize winner Nicholas D. Kristof, New York Times Op-Ed columnist, to increase awareness and understanding among younger generations about the many complex issues, as well as the many opportunities, surrounding Africa. This year, Mr. Kristof will choose one currently enrolled college or graduate student to accompany him on a reporting trip to Africa.

To be considered for “Win a Trip,” students are invited to submit either a written essay or a video entry articulating their reasons for wanting to go to Africa and explaining what makes them ideally suited for such an experience.

“Traveling through Africa and Asia as a university student was a definitive and eye-opening experience for me and has inspired me throughout my journalistic career,” said Mr. Kristof. “My hope is that the student who accompanies me on this trip will be similarly affected by all that Africa has to offer, and will share their experiences with other students around the world.”

Mr. Kristof will be taking suggestions on where to go and what to cover through his blog On the Ground , Facebook and on Twitter.

Essay submissions are limited to 700 words and should be sent to WinATrip@nytimes.com. Video submissions must be under three minutes and should to be posted on Mr. Kristof’s YouTube channel. Submissions must be received by Jan. 18, 2010. For full details about the competition is available at: kristof.blogs.nytimes.com. Students must be 18 years or older to be eligible for the contest.

This year, the Center for Global Development is working with Mr. Kristof to review the applications. The winner of the contest will be announced in February 2010.

Mr. Kristof started the “Win a Trip With Nick” contest in 2006. Past winners have traveled with him to Equatorial Guinea, Cameroon, the Central African Republic, Rwanda, Congo, Burundi, Senegal and Guinea-Bissau.

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This press release can be downloaded from www.nytco.com.

Source: The New York Times Company

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