Premier Website of Experts for Journalists Offers New Features

April 16, 2012, New York– The UN Alliance of Civilizations'  Global Experts, an online database of over 400 worldwide leading experts for journalists, now offers a range of new services, including a more refined search tool of experts and a new and more interactive interface for applications and articles submissions.  

Among the new features:

• New Experts Database, where journalists can find world-leading analysts on everything from human rights issues and war & conflict to religion
• Interactive Featured Experts, where some of the 400 experts are displayed in motion on the homepage
• Users, including media outlets such as CNN, Deutsche Welle, El Pais, New York Times, ABC Australia, Russia Today, the BBC, among others
• Submit an Article, where Global Experts and guest experts can submit articles online that are then syndicated to newspapers around the world
• Become an Expert, where individuals can submit their application online to become a Global Expert
• Multimedia, with podcasts and videos on hot global issues
• Stay connected, for social media and media alerts

“We want Global Experts to best serve the journalist community at the global level, from major news organization to small underfunded media outlets. The UNAOC aims to amplify the constructive role of media in furthering public understanding of political, cultural and religious issues,” said Marc  Scheuer, Director of the UNAOC.

Global Experts continuously expands its network of analysts based in various parts of the world, now to over 400.  Journalists can contact experts at any time directly and free of charge. The list of news outlets using the resource has also grown, and includes CNN, Boston Globe, BBC, Wall Street Journal, Reuters, Deutsche Welle, Hindustan Times, AFP and Al Jazeera, among others. The new site will allow anyone to submit their application online to become an expert, reviewed by a selection committee.

“The 24 news cycle, shrinking news budgets and the volume of information online makes the need for accurate and informed commentary more acute than ever” said Stephanie Durand, Media and Partnerships Officer at the UNAOC.

Journalists will be able to find experts based on areas of expertise, location (including city), field of work, as well as language spoken, and obtain biographical information and links to articles and interviews. Users can also sign up for media alerts on current events and unfolding crises with suggested names of experts to contact immediately.

Global Experts also offers articles and commentary on cross cultural issues, including op-eds, videos and other multimedia published for free in partnership with newspapers around the world, including South China Morning Post, Egypt Daily News, Hürriyet Daily News, Gulf Times, Malta Independent, Guatemala Times and more. The new site will encourage contributions by guests experts.

In June 2012, Global Experts will launch a mobile application, the first for the UNAOC.