|
CB Media Skills for Dialogue |
The impact of media can have on all sort of conflict or crisis as well as the power media coverage can have on people's attitude and reactions is not secret for anyone anymore. In Denmark very recently the media coverage of the cartoon crisis transformed in a single minutes this national publication into a widely discussed international issue, making people react from all parts of the world.
"Media is making the world smaller, you have to know that when you talk through media, you talk to the entire world” adds Garba Diallo from Crossing Borders as an explanation to the decision of his organization to highly focus its intercultural dialogue work on promoting a more balanced and responsible approach of communication and media by media workers.? Indeed, if media could be viewed as a dangerous medium to generate and spread conflict generating information, chauvinist values and sexist attitudes, it can at the same time represent, when properly used, a great tool to foster intercultural understanding by providing accurate and balanced information, images and values across the globe.
In this context, Crossing Borders and its cooperating partners have recently organized a number of trainings for young journalists aiming at contributing to a more constructive dialogue, sharing of best media practices, and enhancing cooperation and networking among journalists and media institutions in the Middle East, North Africa and Denmark. The project "Crossing Borders Media Skills Development for Dialogue" which is implemented in the framework of the 1001 Actions for Dialogue campaign has been designed along with the same principles and philosophy.
Training for young journalists
This project which includes a ten day skills training course in culture, gender and conflict sensitive media provides young journalists from various countries with an impartial dialogue space, training media skills and a framework for cooperation.? Participants are offered the opportunity to gain awareness of the vital role of media in intercultural dialogue, understanding and cooperation in the era of global interconnectedness and interdependency. While developing their media skills, the young journalists will also learn to live and study under the same roof and eat at the same table. Hence the informal interaction and exchange will reinforce the formal learning process to maximize the intercultural learning outcomes.
Joint Production of a Magazine
In addition, in order to test and apply the sensitive media skills, the participating journalists will develop and produce four special editions of the Crossing Borders youth magazine every three months during one year. The first edition will be the direct outcome of the ten day training course in Denmark. The magazine will then be distributed in Media Colleges, institutions, civil society organizations and public institutions in the target countries.
"I know this might look as a drop in the ocean", continues Garba, "but it can also be so fruitful. It is amazing to see how suspicious participants are when they come and how little by little they discover that behind mask and uniform they are all equal". Some of the last year trainees have been hired as full-time professionals in major international and national media, and are now acting as energetic defenders of intercultural awareness.
This project is funded by the Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs Denmark, Middle East and North Africa Youth Fund, administered by the Danish Association for International Cooperation MS (www.ms.dk) and Politiken’s Fund.
|
CB Global Studies Borchure 
Climate Embassy Course 
