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How to brand a country: why our governments are hiring PR specialists

Jennifer Guay

September 18, 2018 |

Apolitical |

Text |

Under 800 Words

Response Location: Russia, Tatarstan

Building a country’s “brand identity” has shifted from a tourist-attracting gimmick to an exercise in nation building. Consultants meet with citizens, identifying common values and attitudes that can be used to support policy objectives. For example, Tatarstan used brand messaging geared towards youth to reduce brain drain in the region.

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Meet the Delaware Teen Fighting for the Rights of Former Juvenile Offenders

Hallie Steiner

September 14, 2018 |

NationSwell |

Multi-Media |

Under 800 Words

Response Location: United States, Wilmington, Delaware

After her neighbor was incarcerated, a Delaware teenager and her brother began supporting youth coming out of detention with clothes, school supplies and other items. Their nonprofit grew and was so successful in raising money and awareness that the state legislature took over the re-entry fund just a year and a half after the organization's launch. The founder is now working on a pilot program to provide financial literacy training for formerly incarcerated youth.

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Stripped: The Search for Human Rights in US Women's Prisons

Adam Skolnick

September 07, 2018 |

Longreads |

Text |

Over 3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Washington

After her client and friend gets sentenced to 13 years in prison at the Washington Corrections Center for Women, Laurie Dawson, an activist, sets out to reform prison practices. With the guidance of the Bangkok Rules, an international document that outlines 70 principles meant to reform women’s prisons, Dawson sets her sight on eliminating strip searches from WCCM, and succeeds.

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Bees are dying at an alarming rate. Amsterdam may have the answer.

Linda Givetash

September 07, 2018 |

NBC News |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: Netherlands, Amsterdam

Despite declining bee populations internationally, Amsterdam's bee population has stabilized and appears to be on the rise. Thanks to several initiatives such as insect hotels, the banning of pesticides and the creation of bee-friendly environments, the city's government-enforced pollinator strategy provides lessons for cities everywhere.

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Federal program to aid low-income areas ready for local investors

Brian Edwards

September 07, 2018 |

The Montgomery Advertiser |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, Montgomery, Alabama

Since the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act passed, investors, community leaders, and local governments have been talking about Opportunity Zones. These are low-income areas in each state--Alabama has 150--that will incentivize investor spending by providing tax breaks for longer-term investment in areas typically not on the highest priority list for traditional investors. Montgomery, Alabama is seeking input from local groups on where funding can best be spent. Though the opportunity zones legislation is in its early days, many are excited about the potential to stimulate economic growth.

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Meet the network tearing down walls between departments in Taiwan

Jennifer Guay

September 05, 2018 |

Apolitical |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: Taiwan

Taiwan is getting creative with tackling tough policy issues. Representatives from all 32 government ministries meet every month, vote on topics to focus on, and conduct workshops with citizens. So far, the network has produced a user-friendly online tax system and is working on a new health card service policy.

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Paris Bees at Work From Notre-Dame to the Luxembourg Gardens

Alissa J. Rubin

August 24, 2018 |

The New York Times |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: France, Paris

Beekeeping is on the rise in Paris, with over 1,000 hives already actively counted in city limits and beekeeping classes enrolled to maximum capacity. Although motives differentiate between beekeepers, all efforts are beneficial to the environment since the species is responsible for pollinated nearly a third of the world's crops.

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The Trouble with Tourists

Douglas Fraser Manuela Saragosa

August 22, 2018 |

BBC |

Radio |

Over 15 Minutes

Response Location: Netherlands, Amsterdam

With tourism on the rise, city governments should prioritize the needs of residents first then those of visitors, says Xavier Font, professor of sustainability marketing at the University of Surrey. Two strategies to prevent overcrowding are to push visitors to travel outside of big cities and to encourage them to stay longer.

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Water scheme improves access to safe water

Bill Oketch

August 22, 2018 |

Daily Monitor |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: Uganda, Nebbi District

With little access to clean water, the community in the Nebbi District in Uganda were facing health issues. A new government initiative, however, has changed this reality by implementing a water scheme that utilizes technology to trap water and transport it closer to the community.

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Cities Sic the Taxman on Vacant ‘Ghost Homes'

Liz Enochs

August 20, 2018 |

San Francisco Public Press |

Text |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: Canada, Vancouver

Vancouver is one city that has shown benefits of a tax on “ghost homes,” or units that sit empty for a certain period of time. The idea is to encourage development and ensure there is ample housing stock for newcomers to the city. San Francisco is considering implementing this system, but it is still in the very early stages of such a shift. However, in Vancouver, the tax has generated millions in taxes which will fund housing initiatives, while decreasing the vacancy rate significantly.

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