Voice of developing countries

There are two other aspects of the DAJA program that are important as well. The first is that the program is, we hope, a modest step in the direction of strengthening the voice of the Asia-Pacific region on the international stage. In doing this, we are aiming to respond both to the wishes of the peoples in the Asia-Pacific region themselves as well as to the priorities of the international donor community.

The Government of Japan, for example, has stressed the importance of ensuring that the views of developing countries are heard by the global community. Last year, at the Autumn meeting of the IMF-World Bank Development Committee in Dubai, Japan's Vice-Minister of Finance for International Affairs, Mr Zembei Mizoguchi, emphasised that "It is essential for the Bank and the Fund to enhance the voice of developing countries."

The other aspect of the program that is important is that hopefully the awards will be seen as a public recognition of the personal efforts made by journalists from countries in the Asia-Pacific region who provide high-quality, balanced coverage of the real issues affecting growth and development in the region.