San Francisco The Asian American Journalists Association (AAJA) announces the launch of a new program coming out of an initiative to train and develop the next generation of journalists of color. With funding support from The Ford Foundation and other sponsors, "Boot Camp By the Bay" is a week-long student campus that will bring together a multicultural group of high school students to sharpen their journalism skills, learn how their cultural values impact their professional development and work together in a unique learning environment.

According to Victor Panichkul, AAJA National President, "AAJA needs to come up with ways of attracting Asian Americans at a younger age to the profession, to think of the profession as something they should aspire to." "High School journalism programs such as this student campus, are a significant step in this direction," he added.

Boot Camp By the Bay is scheduled on July 28 to August 1, 2001, at the University of San Francisco. The best and brightest minority students with a keen interest in broadcasting, newspapers, magazines, photojournalism or news media are especially encouraged to apply for the project. Qualified applicants must be high school students for the 2001-2002 school year and must be available to travel to San Francisco during the camp week. All costs including airfare, room and board will be covered.

Deadline for applications is March 30, 2001. For more information and to obtain an application form, please contact Karen Dispo, Program Director at the AAJA national office at (415) 346-2051 x300. You can also visit the AAJA web site: www.aaja.org.

AAJA is a non-profit educational association based in San Francisco, devoted to training and developing Asian American journalists and ensuring fair and accurate coverage of the Asian American community. It has 1,700 members in 18 chapters across the United States and Asia.