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The Canadian Community Newspapers Association (CCNA) and the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) are pleased to announce the winners of the 2003 CIDA Awards for Excellence in Writing on International Cooperation.

The winners are listed below. All finalists were invited to attend East Meets West, the joint CCNA/BCYCNA Conference being held May 29-31 in Vancouver, B.C. The winners were announced at the conference on Saturday, May 31.

The CIDA Awards recognize outstanding work by staff writers at CCNA-member newspapers. Writers submit stories published between March 1, 2002, and February 28, 2003, about local individuals or organizations contributing to international cooperation efforts in Canada and around the world. Stories were submitted in one of two classes of competition: Class A, representing newspapers with a first-edition total circulation of under 10,000, and Class B, representing newspapers with a first-edition total circulation of 10,000 or over. A total of 36 entries competed in this year’s contest—17 in Class A and 19 in Class B.

2003 CIDA Awards for Excellence in Writing on International Cooperation
Sponsored by the Canadian International Development Agency

Class A - Circulation up to 9999

1. Ladysmith/Chemainus (BC) Chronicle - Mitch Wright - "Changing Lives"

2. Powell River (BC) Peak - Isabelle Southcott - "Clearing a path to a safer world"

3. Sussex (NB) Kings County Record - Gisele McKnight - "Sussex group packs container of hope for Sierra Leone"

Class B - Circulation 10000 and over

1. St. Albert & Sturgeon (AB) Gazette - Susan Jones - "Tears are not enough: Africa's children need more than our compassion"

2. Nepean (ON) This Week - Derek Dunn - "Building hope for Sierra Leone's forgotten orphans"

3. Burnaby (BC) Now - Lori Pappajohn - "Millions of people living on the edge"

For more information, contact the CCNA office by e-mail at info@ccna.ca or by phone toll-free at 1-877-305-2262.

For story ideas, visit CIDA’s website at www.acdi-cida.gc.ca or contact CIDA’s Regional Events Office by email at info@acdi-cida.gc.ca or by phone toll-free at 1-800-230-6349, identifying yourself as a CCNA member.

Last year, writers submitted stories published between March 1, 2001, and February 28, 2002. The winners of the 2002 CIDA Awards winners are listed below. Just recently Rick Collins wrote the story "Vietnam developing nicely" which highlights his experience travelling to Vietnam with CIDA.

2002 WINNERS

Class A - Circulation under 10,000

1. Kevin Weedmark, Moosomin (SK) World-Spectator- "Moosomin and Mama Liz"
2. Roger Holmes, Wainwright (SK) Star Chronicle - "Towards a responsible free press in Sierra Leone"
3. Wendy Johnson, Oliver (BC) Chronicle - "Nepalese visitors detail progress of WN aid"

Class B - Circulation 10,000 and over

1. Rick Collins, Chilliwack Progress - Rick Collins, Chilliwack Progress - Face to face

2. Susan Jones, St. Albert Susan Jones, St. Albert & Sturgeon Gazette - Heartfelt connection"

3. Tamara Shephard, Etobicoke Guardian - Tamara Shephard, Etobicoke Guardian - Rexdale resident helping support communities abroad"