22-02-2011 (Windhoek) Improving access to information by Okanguati community in Namibia
UNESCO, the Namibian Ministry of Information and Communication Technology (MICT) and New Era (a daily national newspaper owned by the government of Namibia) have joint forces to enhance access to information by the Okanguati community, situated in a remote rural area of Kunene region.
21-02-2011 (Quito) UNESCO advises Ecuadorian National Assembly on parliamentary media
Within the framework of the agreement signed between UNESCO’s Office in Quito and Ecuador’s National Assembly, UNESCO has delivered a first advisory report on the establishment of parliamentary audio-visual media.
18-02-2011 (Paris) Focus on new information technologies for International Mother Language Day
Half of the world’s 6,000 languages are endangered. International Mother Language Day (IMLD, 21 February) underlines the importance of preserving this cultural and linguistic wealth. The theme for this year – The information and communication technologies for the safeguarding and promotion of languages and linguistic diversity – highlights the new technologies’ enormous potential for safeguarding, documenting and promoting the use of mother languages.
15-02-2011 (Port-au-Prince) UNESCO assists unemployed Haitian journalists
UNESCO, in cooperation with the Association of Haitian Journalists (AHJ), set up an assistance programme for journalists who lost the jobs in the aftermath of the earthquake of 12 January 2010. Cultural, historical, educational and humanitarian reports produced by journalists in the framework of this programme have been broadcast since 15 October 2010 by several partner media.
14-02-2011 (Paris) US$12 million project for ICTs in West African universities
The Director-General of UNESCO, Irina Bokova, signed an agreement to launch a US$12 million project to boost the information and communication technology capacity of West African universities, notably by creating a regional virtual library network.
10-02-2011 (Paris) UNESCO condemns murder of Egyptian journalist Ahmed Mohammed Mahmoud
UNESCO Director-General Irina Bokova today condemned the murder of Egyptian journalist Ahmed Mohammed Mahmoud, who died of his wounds on 4 February. He was shot in the head on 29 January while covering the protests that began on 25 January in Cairo.
09-02-2011 (Rabat) COPEAM releases results of survey on journalism training needs in South Mediterranean countries
The Permanent Conference of the Mediterranean Audiovisual Operators (COPEAM) has released the results of the survey on journalism training needs among the South Mediterranean broadcasters, which was conducted within the framework of UNESCO’s International Programme for the Development of Communication (IPDC).
08-02-2011 (Apia) Towards OER university: Free learning for all students worldwide
The OER Foundation will host an open planning meeting on 23 February 2011 in Dunedin, New Zealand, for the project, Open Educational Resources (OER) for Assessment and Credit for Students. UNESCO will provide support for streaming the meeting on the Internet to enable virtual participation by education leaders and interested persons.
08-02-2011 (Brasilia) Model curricula for journalism education now available in Portuguese
The curricula in journalism education in Portuguese-speaking countries can now be planned in a much more systematic and coordinated way, as UNESCO has just released the Portuguese version of its Model Curricula for Journalism Education. The model will shortly be presented to media trainers and professionals in Brazil and other Portuguese-speaking countries through workshops.
07-02-2011 (Cap Rouge) Haiti: UNESCO supports establishment of new radio for Cap Rouge community
Situated almost 900 meters above the sea, 45 minutes from the southern city of Jacmel, Cap Rouge takes its name from its reddish soil. Suddenly, arriving at a plateau, one comes upon a small square house with naked walls and a long antenna pointing toward the fluffy clouds. This antenna marks the premises of a new community radio, VEDEK FM, the establishment of which is being supported by UNESCO.
04-02-2011 (Paris) UNESCO Director-General calls for a halt to abuses against media in Egypt
"Silencing the media or attempting to intimidate them is an unacceptable assault on the right of citizens to be informed," said the Director General of UNESCO, Irina Bokova in a statement released today, following numerous reports of attacks against journalists and correspondents covering events in Egypt.
04-02-2011 (Paris) UNESCO conference moves forward debate on journalistic ethics in Europe
On 27 January 2011 UNESCO hosted an international conference on Journalism Ethics and Self-Regulation in Europe: New Media, Old Dilemmas at its Headquarters in Paris. The meeting marked the conclusion of the project, Alignment to International Standards in the Media Sector of South East-European Countries, funded by the European Commission and implemented by UNESCO in collaboration with the South-East European Network for Professionalization of Media (SEENPM), the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) and the Alliance of Independent Press Councils of Europe (AIPCE).
04-02-2011 (Paris) 4th Netexplorateur Forum took place this week at UNESCO
The most promising global innovators in digital technologies were awarded at the 4th Netexplorateur Forum on 3 and 4 February 2011 at UNESCO Headquarters. Their innovations are creating new forms of education, communication, information, solidarity and management around the globe. They impact on the way the public and private sectors reflect on development, dialogue and diversity and influence the elaboration of new strategies and programmes.
04-02-2011 (Windhoek) Namibian community radio to assess needs of its users with UNESCO support
The Media and Training Centre for Health (an NGO based in South Africa) will conduct an assessment of the information needs of the listeners of Karas FM community radio in Keetmanshoop (Karas region, Namibia) from 8 to 10 of February 2011. This assessment is supported by UNESCO within its activities aimed at the promotion of community participation in sustainable development.
03-02-2011 (Paris) Viet Nam: UNESCO condemns fatal attack on journalist Le Hoang Hung
The Director-General of UNESCO, Irina Bokova, has called for a full investigation of the 20 January attack that resulted in the death of Vietnamese journalist Le Hoang Hung. The reporter succumbed to severe injuries on 29 January in a Ho Chi Minh City hospital.
03-02-2011 (Paris) UNESCO condemns murder of Indian journalist Umesh Rajput
The Director-General of UNESCO, Irina Bokova, has called for a thorough investigation into the murder of Indian journalist Umesh Rajput, who was shot dead near Raipur in India's central Chhattisgarh state on 23 January.
01-02-2011 (Paris) UNESCO Director-General launches heritage and press freedom alert for Egypt
The Director-General of UNESCO, Irina Bokova, today launched an appeal to protect cultural heritage and to respect freedom of expression in Egypt.
01-02-2011 (Amman) UNESCO and ARIJ help media professors integrate investigative journalism into curricula
A three-day workshop gathered 16 professors from four Arab countries to look into the possibility of integrating investigative journalism practices into their media curricula. The event took place from 29 to 31 January 2011 in Amman, Jordan.
31-01-2011 (Paris) UNESCO symposium sparked debate on future of freedom of expression
On 26 January 2011 UNESCO hosted the second International Symposium on Freedom of Expression. Those in attendance numbered well over one hundred, with 255 more connecting online to view the proceedings via webcast.
28-01-2011 (Paris) UNESCO/Jikji Memory of the World Prize: Deadline for submission of nominations extended
UNESCO extends the deadline for submission of nominations for the UNESCO/Jikji Memory of the World Prize to 15 February 2011. Significant contributions to the preservation and accessibility of documentary heritage are being sought for the fourth edition of the Prize.
28-01-2011 (Liaquatpur) UNESCO organizes workshops on safety for rural journalists in Pakistan
UNESCO organizes a series of workshops on safety for journalists working in rural areas in Pakistan. This activity is designed to equip participants with the information and skills on how to do their journalistic duties in hostile environments, which is currently the case in some parts of Pakistan.
27-01-2011 (Paris) Irina Bokova promotes freedom of expression as a fundamental human right
On 26 January 2011, UNESCO Director-General Irina Bokova opened the second ‘International Symposium on Freedom of Expression’ held at the Organization’s Headquarters in Paris. Also present were Birgitta Ohlsson, Minister for European Union Affairs of Sweden, Frank La Rue, United Nations Special Rapporteur on the Promotion and Protection of the Right to Freedom of Opinion and Expression, and Mónica González Mujica, laureate of the 2010 UNESCO/Guillermo Cano World Press Freedom Prize.
27-01-2011 (Paris) UNESCO launches publication on media self-regulation in South East Europe and Turkey
A publication examining the implementation of media accountability mechanisms created, operated and followed by media professionals on a voluntary basis was officially launched by UNESCO at the Conference on Journalism Ethics and Self-Regulation in Europe, held on 27 January in Paris.
26-01-2011 (Paris) UNESCO Director-General condemns murder of Filipino journalist Gerardo Ortega
The Director-General of UNESCO, Irina Bokova, condemned the murder of Filipino radio commentator Gerardo Ortega, who was shot dead on 24 January in Puerto Princesa on the island of Palawan, south of Manila.
26-01-2011 (Paris) UNESCO hosts discussions on freedom of expression and journalism ethics
An International Symposium on Freedom of Expression is bringing together today an impressive group of international experts and an audience of key stakeholders to examine issues central to UNESCO´s mandate to promote “the free flow of ideas by word and image".
25-01-2011 (Paris) Director-General urges Pakistan to investigate death of journalist Ilyas Nizzar
The Director-General of UNESCO, Irina Bokova, has called for a thorough investigation into the killing of Pakistani journalist Ilyas Nizzar, who was found dead on 5 January near Pidarak, Baluchistan province, in southwest Pakistan.
25-01-2011 (Warsaw) Website for Fourth International Memory of the World Conference launched
As preparations for the Fourth International Memory of the World Conference are stepped up, UNESCO has launched a website that will provide more details about the Conference as these are finalized.
21-01-2011 (Windhoek) UNESCO funds survey of Broadcast Archives in the Southern African region
The Southern African Broadcasting Association (SABA) will carry out a survey of the Broadcasting archives of 13 African countries including Angola, Lesotho, Namibia and Swaziland.
21-01-2011 (Rabat) UNESCO invites universities in the Mediterranean region to participate in the “Open Digital Space for the Mediterranean” (e-Omed) project
More than 60 universities representing 13 countries in the Mediterranean region met last week in Toulon in France to found the international association e-Omed and agreed to enhance cooperation and exchanges in a view to promote the development, sharing and use of open educational resources.
19-01-2011 (Paris) UNESCO Director-General deplores death of French photographer Lucas Mebrouk Dolega
UNESCO Director-General Irina Bokova today deplored the death of French photographer Lucas Mebrouk Dolega, who died on 17 January from injuries sustained while covering demonstrations in Tunisia.
