JOURNALISTS FROM AFRICA TO TAKE AU INFORMATION FORWARD

This morning not only marked the first day of the activities of the 19th African Union (AU) Summit in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, but also the beginning of a Capacity Building Training for African editors and journalists jointly organized by the Directorate of Information and Communication (DIC) of the African Union Commission (AUC) and the Friedrich Ebert Foundation (FES). This training aims at giving journalists the necessary understanding and tools to effectively cover the summit, and thus better inform the African citizens of events within the AU as well as give Africa a voice internationally.

It is not the first time that the DIC joins forces with a partner to do capacity building of journalists. It is in the mandate of the department to “serve the interests of the journalists” because it is through them that the AU can achieve its vision.

In her opening remarks, Mrs. Habiba Mejri-Cheikh, Director of Information and Communication, underlined the need for journalists to understand that there is coverage  to be done all year long and not only during summits and conferences. In order to do so, they need to know how to get

relevant information from the AUC and also to tell the AUC what they need. Such training provides an excellent opportunity for experience sharing and adjustment of mutual expectations.

NK/ETA