Many crucial issues facing the developing world are overlooked or underrepresented by the media. The Guardian International Development Journalism Competition 2010 aims to highlight some of them. We are searching for enthusiastic writers who want to demonstrate their journalistic abilities by examining these issues.

The challenge is to write a feature of 650 to 1,000 words on an aspect of global poverty that deserves greater media exposure. The 16 best writers (8 amateur, 8 professional) will be selected and will have their articles published online at guardian.co.uk.

The 16 finalists will also be taken on assignment to Africa or Asia to write a feature that will be published in a special Guardian supplement later this year. This is a great opportunity to be published alongside some of the best journalists in the UK.

• More about the competition
• Competition themes
• How to enter
• Hints and tips for writers
• Entry form

Entries close 30 April 2010