All posts by CPNN Coordinator

About CPNN Coordinator

Dr David Adams is the coordinator of the Culture of Peace News Network. He retired in 2001 from UNESCO where he was the Director of the Unit for the International Year for the Culture of Peace, proclaimed for the Year 2000 by the United Nations General Assembly.

Mexico: Celebration of the IMA 5th Festival Culture of Peace

.. DEMOCRATIC PARTICIPATION ..

An article by Emanuel Landeros, El Sol de San Luis

The Civil Association, IMA Transformando Vidas, has announced the fifth edition of its Culture of Peace festival, in support of neighborhood youth during this season.

The president of the organization, Hugo Carballo Hernández, reported that the event will take place this Sunday [December 20] in Valle Dorado, “as it is one of the neighborhoods with a high rate of violence in the capital, where home robberies, transients and drug sales have grown. ”

The activist said that the struggle today is in the neighborhoods, “where the pandemic has left many people without jobs and without bread to put in their mouth.”

(Click here for the Spanish original. . )

Questions for this article:

Can festivals help create peace at the community level?

Is there progress towards a culture of peace in Mexico?

He maintained that the solution lies, as it has always been, in actions, in street work, “not in promoting theories or conspiracies; Let’s stop texting, just publish on the networks, let’s make a change in your family, on your street and neighborhood, in your actions in life”.

Likewise, he added that a Culture of Peace workshop will be held, focused on children, and that the researcher Julio Ceballos will give a self-defense workshop for women.

He invited members of other collectives and groups to join the activities of the organization he presides.

The festival will conclude, he said, with the concert of the Imperio de la Cumbia musical group, which will take place with all preventive measures in accordance with the health protocol for Covid-19.

Finally, Carballo Hernández said: “Let’s learn to be citizens in times of pandemic, let’s reflect on how we can start to change our world, and let’s remember that good actions produce good returns.”

DEMOCRATIC PARTICIPATION, Latin America

Past Virtual Events December 13 -18

FREE FLOW OF INFORMATION

Here are events and application deadlines after December 12 that were previously listed on the CPNN page for upcoming virtual events. Unless otherwise noted the events are in English.

Thursday – Dec 10, 2020
Sunday, December 13 @1 pm ET (Canada)

Canadian Friends of Peace Now
How Israel Became Its Own Worst Enemy and Its Hope for the Future: A Personal Perspective
with Ami Ayalon and guest host Jim Torczyner
— Admiral (res.) Ami Ayalon is a former director of the Shin Bet (Israel’s security service), commander of the Israeli Navy, government minister and member of Knesset (Labour). He recently co-authored Friendly Fire: How Israel Became its Own Worst Enemy and the Hope for its Future. This is a memoir of Ayalon’s journey towards becoming a strong voice for peace between Israelis and Palestinians and his analysis of the barriers impeding peace. He critiques self-defeating policies that have undermined Israel’s civil society while heaping humiliation upon its Palestinian neighbours. The book discusses what Israel must do to achieve relative peace and security and to sustain itself as a Jewish homeland and liberal democracy.
— Audience questions welcome. You may send advance questions to info@peacenowcanada.org
— Register for this event here.

Monday, December 14-15
7:00 pm to 8:30 pm (New York), Monday 14 December
9:00 am to 10:30 am (Japan), Tuesday 15 December

Please join PeaceBoat for a very special online discussion with Ms Michiko Hattori, a survivor of the atomic bombing of Hiroshima
— Organised by Peace Boat and #Youth4Disarmament, a project of the United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs (UNODA).h
— Seventy five years after the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, the world still faces the grave threat of the nuclear weapons. As the hibakusha survivors age, there are fewer opportunities to listen to their first-hand stories. We can continue to honour them by celebrating their lives and work and by discussing possible actions we can take together and individually.
— A discussion wil be followed by a youth-led question and answer session.
— RSVP here: https://bit.ly/3qKpm6v

Dec 14-15
Dec. 14 at 8:00 PM in Eastern Time (US and Canada)
Dec. 15 at 10:00 AM KST

Militarization, Killer Robots, and the Korean Peninsula: The Case for Peace
— Join the transnational feminist campaign Korea Peace Now! for this discussion on on Dec. 14 at 8:00pm EST about killer robots in South Korea: what they are, why you should care, and how ending the Korean War can help stop them.
— Featuring:
Ray Acheson, Campaign to Stop Killer Robots
YouKyoung Ko, Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom
Youngmi Cho, Korean Women’s Movement for Peace
Moderated by Catherine Killough, Women Cross DMZ
— Simultaneous interpretation in Korean and English will be provided***
— Register here

Tuesday, Dec 15, 5:00 PM Pacific Time USA

“How to Avoid a War in Asia”
Join Code Pink, Beyond the Bomb, Women Cross the DMZ and World Beyond War for an amazing panel.
Panelists:
Hyun Lee: National Organizer, Women Cross the DMZ
Jodie Evans: Co-Founder, Code Pink
Molly Hurley: Organizer, Beyond the Bomb
David Swanson: Exec. Director, World Beyond War
Leah Bolger: Board President, World Beyond War
— Register here in advance for this meeting
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.

Wednesday 16 December 2020 from 11:00 AM to 12:15 PM CET

Live Webinar: Accelerating Youth Inclusion in Building Peace
— To honour the 5th anniversary of the Youth, Peace and Security Resolution, the Kingdom of Denmark and the Kofi Annan Foundation are hosting an online panel discussion on how to accelerate change towards the meaningful inclusion of young women and men in shaping peace.
— Our panel of experts will share concrete examples and good practices of how member states, the EU and civil society organisations are contributing to the Youth, Peace and Security agenda and discuss what remains to be done to make youth inclusion a reality.
— Register here

Wednesday, December 16th 11:00 am EST. (1600 GMT)

“Jonathan Kuttab’s Booklet Launch” Webinar Registration – We Are All Part of One Another
— “I am launching a book which I hope, with your help can address the current impasse, and perhaps change the conversation around Israel / Palestine. Many activists are frustrated, despondent, and floundering with no clear vision or direction. We need some fresh out-of-the-box thinking. This is true for Palestinians, Israelis, and our friends in the international community. I’ve asked Nonviolence International, a group I co-founded and value deeply, to lead the effort to get this book into the hands of people across the political spectrum and across the world.
— To learn more about the text and see what people are saying, please visit: Beyond The Two-State Solution.
— Please RSVP here to join the launch event.

December 16-18

Workshop on contributions of smart city projects to climate resilience
— Co-organizers: Hiroshima University (Network for Education and Research on Peace and Sustainability), Global Carbon Project-Tsukuba International Office, Future Earth, Asia-Pacific Network for Global Change
Research (APN)
— This 3-day workshop is consisted of sessions related to three main activities:
1. The first day is allocated to presentations by authors who have submitted their works to be considered for publication in a special issue of Environment and Planning B. Details about the special issue are available at: https://journals.sagepub.com/page/epb/collections/special-issues 2.
On days 2 and 3 the participants will take part in interactive sessions focused on investigating the actual and potential contributions of smart cities to climate resilience.. . .
3. On day 3 a parallel session will be organized to discuss contributions of smart cities to urban climate change mitigation. . .
— Registration: Please register here to receive zoom link prior to the event. https://bit.ly/2HsrTQz

FREE FLOW OF INFORMATION, global

Mexico: SSPC meets with 217 Networks of Women Peacebuilders

. . WOMEN’S EQUALITY . .

An article from La Jornada (translation by CPNN)

The Secretariat for Security and Citizen Protection (SSPC) held a meeting with 217 members of the Networks of Women Peace Builders (MUCPAZ), in order to inform them about the progress in the commitment acquired with the United Nations (UN), in the fight against discrimination and gender violence.


Members of the MUCPAZ Peacebuilding Women Network during a meeting in Tuxtla Gutiérrez. Photo taken from the Twitter account @nadgasman

(Click here for the original article in Spanish.)

Questions related to this article:

Do women have a special role to play in the peace movement?

Is there progress towards a culture of peace in Mexico?

The meeting was led by the head of the National Center for Crime Prevention and Citizen Participation (CNPDyPC), Luis García López Guerrero, who explained to the attendees the strategy to combat family violence and promote a culture of peace.

“The comprehensive strategy to prevent and address family and gender violence consists of five components: Networks of Peacebuilders Women (MUCPAZ Networks); sensitization; care, support and channeling; training and job placement; and improvement and appropriation of areas and / or community spaces with a gender perspective, ”the official explained.

Currently, a total of 6,510 women are members of the MUCPAZ, forming collaborative work groups with public and citizen institutions to multiply peace processes at the municipal and local level.

The representative of UN Women in Mexico, Belén Sanz Luque, who participated in this virtual meeting, also recognized the importance of the Women Peacebuilders Program.

Latin America, United Nations, WOMEN'S EQUALITY,

India : ‘Delhi Chalo’ explainer: What the farmers’ protest is all about

. . SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT . .

An article from Mint

Thousands of farmers have reached the national capital [the Centre] on their tractor-trolleys and other vehicles, responding to the “Delhi Chalo” call against the agri-marketing laws enacted at the Centre in September.


Farmers having food at a Langar during ‘Delhi Chalo’ protest against farm laws, at Singhu Border in New Delhi. (ANI)

On Saturday morning, it wasn’t clear if they will agree to move to the Burari ground on the outskirts of the city, where police said they can continue with their protest. Many protesters were demanding a better venue in the centre of Delhi. Originally, the protest was meant to be on November 26 and 27.

A look at the protest so far: Day 1: On Thursday, thousands of farmers crossed from Punjab to Haryana. At border points, the Haryana Police tried to stop them, using water cannons and teargas. But later they were allowed through. There were skirmishes with police at other points as well on the highway to Delhi as it passed through BJP-run Haryana. A large group of protesters camped for the night near Panipat. Day 2: Protesters assembled at Delhi’s border at Tigri and Singhu. Police used teargas and water cannons to stop them from breaking through barricades, which included sand-laden trucks. In the evening, they offered to let them into the city and continue their protest at Burari ground. But many appeared reluctant. Day 3: The standoff continued on Saturday morning at Delhi’s border. More farmers were making their way from Punjab and Haryana.

What farmers fear: Farmer unions in Punjab and Haryana say the recent laws enacted at the Centre will dismantle the minimum support price (MSP) system. Over time big corporate houses will dictate terms and farmers will end up getting less for their crops, they argue. Farmers fear that with the virtual disbanding of the mandi system, they will not get an assured price for their crops and the “arthiyas” — commission agents who also pitch in with loans for them — will be out of business. Their demands: The key demand is the withdrawal of the three laws which deregulate the sale of their crops. The farmer unions could also settle for a legal assurance that the MSP system will continue, ideally through an amendment to the laws.

(The article is continued on the right side of this page)

Question for this article:

What is the relation between movements for food sovereignty and the global movement for a culture of peace?

How effective are mass protest marches?

(This article is continued from the left side of the page)

They are also pressing for the withdrawal of the proposed Electricity (Amendment) Bill 2020, fearing it will lead to an end to subsidised electricity. Farmers say rules against stubble burning should also not apply to them. Key players: The `Delhi Chalo” call was given by the All India Kisan Sangharsh Coordination Committee. Several other organisations including Rashtriya Kisan Mahasangh and factions of the Bharatiya Kisan Union (BKU) came out in support.

The march is being held under the banner of Samyukta Kisan Morcha. The Rashtriya Kisan Mahasanghathan, Jai Kisan Andolan, All India Kisan Mazdoor Sabha, Krantikari Kisan Union, Bharatiya Kisan Union (Dakaunda), BKU (Rajewal), BKU (Ekta-Urgahan,) BKU (Chaduni) are among the participants.

Most protesters are from Punjab, but there is a substanial number from Haryana as well. There have been scattered support for the “Delhi Chalo” protest from Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Uttarakhand.

Earlier protests: Before “Delhi Chalo” farmers in Punjab and Haryana held sit-ins and blocked roads in sporardic protests. Punjab farmer unions then announced a “rail roko” agitation, which lasted for abour two months, leading to a suspension of trains to the state and shortages in critical areas, including coal for thermal power stations.

At one point, the unions relaxed the agitation to let goods trains through, but the Railways insisted that they will either run both freight and passengers trains or none. The contentious laws The Farmers’ Produce Trade and Commerce (Promotion and Facilitation) Act, 2020, The Farmers (Empowerment and Protection) Agreement of Price Assurance and Farm Services Act, 2020 and The Essential Commodities (Amendment) Act, 2020.

The Congress-majority Punjab Assembly reacted to these central laws by passing Bills meant to “negate” their effect in the state. The Punjab Bills, however, are still awaiting assent of the state Governor.

What the Centre says The Narendra Modi government says the new laws will give more options to the farmers to sell their crops and get them better prices. It has assured that there is no move to end the MSP system, and the new Acts do not refer to it.

Before the Delhi Chalo agitation began, the Centre had invited representatives from over 30 farmer unions for a meeting with Union Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar on December 3. An earlier meeting on November 15 had remained inconclusive.

South Asia, SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

UABJO launches Institutional Program for the Culture of Peace in Oaxaca, Mexico

. EDUCATION FOR PEACE .

An article from Quadratin Oaxaca (translation by CPNN)

The Benito Juárez Autonomous University of Oaxaca (UABJO) and the Honorable Congress of the State, have ratified a framework collaboration agreement to strengthen the Culture of Peace.

This document signed by Deputy Delfina Guzmán Díaz, President of the Political Coordination Board of the 64th Legislature and the Rector of the University, Eduardo Bautista Martínez, inaugurated the Institutional Program for the Culture of Peace in Oaxaca, it was reported in a statement.

In a meeting held in the rectory offices, the Deputy recognized the importance of strengthening the work with the University, as it is a plural and diverse space that trains a majority of professionals in the state and specialists who contribute to development of a better society.

(Click here for the original Spanish version).

Question for this article:

Is there progress towards a culture of peace in Mexico?

Where is peace education taking place?

“The program that we start today will be the way to reach all sectors, peoples and governments, to achieve the path to a culture of peace,” she said.

On his part, the Rector considered essential to add actions for the integral formation of the student community, with the support of specialists who promote the issues of equality, equity and listening.

He added that this strategy will involve the Institute of Sociological Research of the University, with the purpose of generating collective synergies, incorporating human rights defenders, related government entities and civil organizations.

“This action will also articulate with all the work that the University has carried out in matters of gender, human rights and public policies, through a methodology that generates tools for training in mediation, management and conflict resolution,” he explained.

In addition, in the medium term, it is intended to propose the creation of an observatory on conflict, development of community peace programs, congresses, seminars, training programs and the creation of a professional Masters degree in Culture of Peace

Also taking part In the meeting were the Coordinator of the program in question, Leticia Cruz López; the General Counsel, Héctor López Sánchez and the director of IISUABJO, Manuel Garza Zepeda.

EDUCATION FOR PEACE, Latin America

Past Virtual Events : December 10-12

FREE FLOW OF INFORMATION

Here are events from December 9 to 12 that were previously listed on the CPNN page for upcoming virtual events. Unless otherwise noted the events are in English.

Thursday – Dec 10, 2020
3:00 pm – 4:30 pm CET (Central European Time)

Join us for a diverse and innovative discussion of Peace and Human Rights issues in the Gulf Region. The Webinar will feature:
— Husain Abdulla, Executive Director of ADHRB, Bahrain
— Sarah Leah Whitson, former Director of the MENA division of the Human Rights Watch, USA
— Dr. Saeed al-Shehabi, Political Activist and Member of the Bahrain Freedom Movement, Bahrain
— Yasmine Taeb, Senior Fellow on Congress and Foreign Policy at the Center for International Policy, Iran-USA
— Chaired by Amela Skiljan, IPB Coordinator, Germany
— To register, please send an email with your name and affiliation to: info@ipb-office.berlin

10 de diciembre a las 17:30 hora Ciudad de México (en español)

JunPaz te invita a la converencia “Educación para Paz y Derechos Humanos”
Imparte: Roberto arlos Domínguez Cano, Doctorante en Negociación por el Instituto de Medicacón de México
— La podrás seguir por zoom. Inscripciones aqui

10 de diciembre a partir de las 2:00 p.m.(Colombia hora local) (en español)

Foro “Genocidio comunal y social en Colombia”
Con motivo de la conmemoración del Día Internacional de los Derechos Humanos, la revista Derecho y Realidad se complace en invitar al Foro “Genocidio comunal y social en Colombia”, que contará con la participación de reconocidas personalidades del ámbito nacional e internacional y en el que se debatirán acciones en defensa de la vida y obra de los líderes sociales y comunales, quienes están siendo víctimas de un genocidio sistemático, en medio del silencio estatal y la indiferencia social.
— Se podrán conectar por los siguientes links:
Zoom: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82302616418
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCLgcDD5yfQkGp80PC6QU77w

Thursday December 10. 8am Central Europe Time (10 am Moscow, 1pm Dhaka, 4pm Tokyo/Seoul, 7pm Suva)
Friday December 11. 11:30 Eastern time USA/Canada. (5:30pm CET)

Launch of Youth Fusion: website and youth actions for nuclear abolition
— Youth around the world are standing up for peace and nuclear disarmament, and taking action in innovative ways that are making a difference. The Youth Working Group of Abolition 2000 global network to eliminate nuclear weapons builds cooperation amongst these youth actions, brings youth voices into key UN and other disarmament processes, and facilitates inter-generational dialogue to turn youth energy and vision into effective policy action.
— We invite youth, and the not-so-young, to join the Abolition 2000 youth working group as they launch Youth Fusion – the new online platform and youth action plan for a nuclear-weapons-free world.
— Program and other information for session 1 will be posted on the Session 1 event facebook page. Click here to register.
— Program and other information for session 2 will be posted on the Session 2 event facebook page. Click here to register.

11 diciembre – 13:30-16:30 GMT (Intérpretes: En/Es/Fr/Pt/It)

Llamado a la Asamblea Mundial Virtual de Habitantxs (3ª sesión)
— Para hacer el balance de la movilización global Cero Desalojos para Coronavirus
— Para acordar los ejes estratégicos de movilización: construir la alternativa basada en los derechos humanos y ambientales y la redistribución equitativa de los recursos
— Para definir la Agenda Solidaria de lxs Habitantxs 2021, la convergencia de las re-existencias en tiempos de pandemia
— Participación: Gunnar Theissen, Encargado de Derechos Humanos en apoyo del Relator Especial ONU sobre el Derecho a la Vivienda, OHCHR
— Haga clic para recibir el enlace Zoom para participar en la Asamblea!

December 9-12

Festival hip hop Cartagena
Bajo el lema ‘Cultura y artes para la paz’, El Festival hip hop Cartagena surgió como respuesta y alternativa a la crisis social y cultural que se vive en la ciudad de Cartagena, buscando mantener viva la cultura hip hop de la ciudad a través de acciones encaminadas al fortalecimiento de las raíces histórico culturales.
— El festival se llevará a cabo del 9 al 12 de diciembre, de manera virtual. El evento se transmitirá por las redes sociales oficiales del festival, por las redes oficiales de la Alcaldía Mayor de Cartagena en cabeza del Instituto de Patrimonio y Cultura de Cartagena-IPCC y los canales aliados independientes que se sumen a la causa. Además se contará con una excelente agenda académica con invitados de lujo que consta de los siguientes 5 conversatorios:
— Miércoles 09 de diciembre- 10:00 a.m.(hora local) Movimiento Hip hop en Cartagena 1980- 2000: ‘Resistencia y poesía callejera por una cultura de paz’
— Jueves 10 de diciembre – 10:00 a.m.(hora local) Cultura para el desarrollo: la cultura Hiphop en Cartagena de Indias.
— Jueves 10 de diciembre – 4:00 p.m.(hora local) La danza como escenario de poder
— Viernes 11 de diciembre – 10:00 a-m.(hora local) Industria de la música: salas de conciertos y distribución digital.
— Viernes 11 de diciembre – 4:00 p.m.(hora local) Derechos culturales, cultura hip hop y equidad de género.
— Click here for live videos

FREE FLOW OF INFORMATION, global

U.N. rights boss urges withdrawal of article in French draft security law

. . HUMAN RIGHTS . .

An article from Reuters (reprinted by permission)

United Nations human rights boss Michelle Bachelet called on Wednesday [9 December] for the withdrawal of a draft law in France known as “Article 24” that would curb freedom to share images identifying police.


photo from Al Jazeera

Questions related to this article:

Can the United Nations protect human rights?

France has been hit by a wave of street protests after the government introduced a security bill in parliament that set out to increase its surveillance tools and restrict rights on circulating images of police officers in the media and online. (See CPNN November 29 and November 23)

In a recent U-turn, French President Emmanuel Macron’s ruling party said it would rewrite the article that curbs rights to circulate images of police officers.

“The law has to be discussed by the French people,” Bachelet told a Geneva news conference. “But it’s the Article 24, the one we are really concerned about. And that’s why we are mentioning that should be reviewed and should be, I guess, withdrawn”.

Click here for the French version)

Europe, HUMAN RIGHTS, United Nations,

PAYNCoP Gabon : Celebrating International Volunteer Day

TOLERANCE & SOLIDARITY . .

Special to CPNN from Jerry Bibang (translation by CPNN)

Celebrated under the theme “Together, it’s possible through volunteering,” the International Volunteer Day was the opportunity, this year, to appreciate the contribution of volunteers in the fight against the health crisis, which has become a social and economic crisis as well.


(click on image to enlarge)

PAYNCoP Gabon [National Coordination of the Pan-African Youth Network for the Culture of Peace] took part in the event organized by the Central Africa Office of the OIF [International Organization of La Francophonie] and the United Nations system, in partnership with the Ministry of Youth. The event recognized the actions carried out to fight against the covid 19 pandemic.

(Click here for the original version in French.)

(continued in right column)

Question related to this article:
 
How can we work together to overcome this medical and economic crisis?

(continued from left column).

“Since the onset of the disease, we have carried out awareness-raising and support actions for the most vulnerable,” said Jerry Bibang, the National Coordinator. These actions included :

– the sensitization of young people via social networks on barrier measures, in partnership with the National Youth Council (CNJ);

– the project to fight fakes news around covid19 (infodemic), in partnership with UNESCO;

– raising awareness among young people through comics strips, in partnership with Yali Gabon and Laboratoire Citoyen du Nouveau Monde;

– the project to set up a hand washing kit in the under-integrated neighborhoods of Libreville, in partnership with Engineers Without Borders;

– the urgent support project for people living with a disability, thanks to the support of Unesco;

– and the project to combat the spread of covid19 among young people and women in prisons, with the support of the United Nations Regional Office for Central Africa (UNOCA) and the Omar Bongo Foundation for Peace, Science and Culture (FOBO).

“Through our actions, we have directly reached 950 people and impacted more than 1000 people indirectly. It is also an opportunity for us to reiterate our gratitude to the partners who place their trust in us, notably UNESCO, UNOCA, FOBO and many others.”

“Despite these efforts, we are nonetheless aware that the challenges are still many and varied. One of our challenge is to be able to make vulnerable people economically autonomous by setting up income-generating activities.

Peace is not limited to the absence of war, it is also the absence of unemployment, of inequality, of injustice …

Africa, TOLERANCE & SOLIDARITY

Kalemie, DRC: 200 young Twa and Bantu trained as actors of peace

. TOLERANCE & SOLIDARITY .

An article from Radio Okapi

Two hundred young Twa and Bantu have been trained as actors of peace within the framework of the Tusikilizane Joint Project initiated in Tanganyika by UNFPA, FAO and UNESCO. This project consisted in training in the culture of peace young people and women from two communities previously in conflict. Provincial authorities say they support the project.


A view of the commercial district in Manono, 450 km southwest of Kalemie (Katanga / DRC).

(Click here for the original French version of this article)

(continued in right column)

Question related to this article:
 
Youth initiatives for a culture of peace, How can we ensure they get the attention and funding they deserve?

(continued from left column)

It was the Twa-Bantu conflict, which raged in five of the six territories of Tanganyika province, that motivated the three agencies of the United Nations system (UNFPA, FAO and UNESCO) to plan the Tusikilizane Joint Project. Since 2018, Tusikilizane has targeted 200 young people from two communities previously torn apart by bloody conflicts.

This project has just ended its activities in the territories of Kabalo, Kalemie and Nyunzu, after having trained for two years the nucleus of two hundred young people as actors of peace.

UNESCO Country Representative in the DRC, Jean-Pierre Ilboudo, explains:

“Their role is therefore a relay role, which will make that from 200, we will go to 2000, to 2 million to 20 million, to 200 million later. ”

Fifty other women from two communities also benefited from numerous sessions, tools and other capacity-building workshops to involve them in peacebuilding and social cohesion in the region.

“Now that they understand, they would rather work for the welfare of the country and not be manipulated by adventurers. The government is there to support them ”, assured the provincial Minister of Youth and representative of the provincial governor, Radjabu Ali Lugogo Raligo.

Africa, TOLERANCE & SOLIDARITY

Niger: 7th edition of the National Press Freedom Day under the theme “Journalism in the electoral period”

FREE FLOW OF INFORMATION

An article from the Agence Nigérienne de Presse

The Minister of Communication, Mr. Habi Mahamadou Salissou chaired, this Monday, November 30, 2020 at the press house, the opening of the activities for the National Press Freedom Day.


Placed under the theme “journalism during an election period: fact checking, promotion of the culture of peace, peaceful coexistence of populations”, this 7th edition takes place in a very particular global context, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, a global health crisis which also affects our country Niger.

According to the Minister of Communication, “the theme of this year comes at a crucial period, namely the organization of general elections, during which the journalist’s sense of professionalism will be put to the test,” in this regard, he continued, “the verification of the facts, immediately verifying the veracity of the facts and the accuracy of the data, will be an important parameter, in particular through the observance of a code of good conduct”.

“I therefore invite journalists to favor the use of information verification techniques during the electoral period and to become more aware of their major role in the election process because citizens have the right to reliable information ”, added Minister Habi Mahamadou Salissou, who specified that “journalists should avoid getting carried away by the frantic race for scoops and media buzz”.

According to the Minister, “We must work for the advent of a media environment during an election period based on professionalism and its rules. We must therefore establish platforms and academic programs for teaching verification techniques. IFITIC and the Arts and Communication department of the UAM of Niamey should help in this regard “.

(continued in right column)

Click here for the original version in French)

Question(s) related to this article:

African journalism and the Culture of Peace, A model for the rest of the world?

(continued from left column)

“Without true professionalism, freedom of the press cannot prosper. That is why the State will continue its efforts aimed at creating all the conditions favorable to the emergence of a professional, free and independent press, and to the improvement of the living and working conditions of journalists “assured Mr. Habi Mahaman Salissou. .

On this occasion, the Minister of Communication called on the various players in the field to “move towards the signing of a collective press agreement” while reaffirming the commitment of the Ministry of Communication to ensure that the Convention process is successful “.

He congratulated Niger on the advance made in the latest ranking of Reporters Without Borders, dropping from 66th to 57th place in 2020, out of 180 countries.

“Dear journalists, let us together maintain this course and continue to use the freedom of the press on the understanding that some of you must stop abusing it. It is in this way and only that we will together promote press freedom in our country, and in the interest, well understood by all “he concluded.

The president of the board of directors of the House of the Press Mr. Ibrahim Harouna for his part indicated that “ the professionalism of the media is crucial during the election period, it is also for us the moment to call all the candidates to the presidential elections to commit to respect for press freedom in our country”.

The living and working conditions of Nigerien journalists remain very difficult. The Covid-19 pandemic has come another hard blow to the field. Several journalists have been laid off and many more have lost their jobs.

“Our appeal to the government for support for the media has gone unheeded. It is time for me to once again call on all the players in the process of signing the collective agreement to be more committed to finalizing this process” he added.

It was with the presentation of prizes to the various winners of the press house competition and the special Mariama keita prize that the opening ceremony ended.

The President of the Republic Issoufou Mahamadou initialed the Declaration of Table Mountain which promotes press freedom in the signatory countries, on November 30, 2011, he recalled.

Africa, FREE FLOW OF INFORMATION