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Lydia Cacho and Koïchiro Matsuura © UNESCO / Patrick Lagès |
International Symposium on Freedom of Expression to commemorate the 60th Anniversary of Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights
UNESCO’s Constitution stresses the need for information and communication within and between nations as a means of preventing war. The idea is a simple one: advancing mutual understanding among peoples in order to strip away the ignorance that breeds mistrust and suspicion, which can lead to conflict.
In combination, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the UNESCO Constitution provide irrefutable evidence in the belief that freedom of opinion and of expression constitute the cornerstone of any democratic society and a fundamental basis for development.
To celebrate the UDHR, UNESCO is hosting an International High Level Symposium on Freedom of Expression focusing on the central role it plays in promoting dialogue, democracy and development.
The Symposium will take place on 29 October 2008 and will involve around 400 participants including Heads of State, government officials, policymakers, Nobel Prize Laureates and World Press Freedom Prize winners, as well as representatives of major non-governmental organizations and media professionals.
The Symposium is divided into an opening session, followed by three forums:
• Opening Session - Welcome speech by UNESCO Director-General Koïchiro Matsuura; Lydia Cacho Ribeiro and May Chidiac, World Press Freedom Prize Laureate’s of 2008 and 2006 giving testimony; Keynote address by David Schlesinger, Reuters Editor-in-Chief;
• Session 1 - A discussion about Freedom of Expression and Development;
• Session 2 - Freedom of Expression and Democracy;
• Session 3 - Freedom of Expression and Dialogue.
The Symposium will provide a forum for debate and discussion of the challenges and opportunities that exist at the nexus of freedom of expression, dialogue, democracy and development. Monitoring the latest trends in journalism, such as violence against journalists and restrictions on media outlets, shows the need to bolster the work of freedom of expression advocates along with the media institutions that are threatened.
Journalists are under increasing attack and good journalism is endangered, especially in societies that would most benefit from a pluralistic and independent media. A very small percentage of the crimes committed against journalists, including murder, is investigated and rarely is anyone held accountable for these crimes. This violence constitutes one of the greatest threats to freedom of expression and freedom of the press.
In combination, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the UNESCO Constitution provide irrefutable evidence in the belief that freedom of opinion and of expression constitute the cornerstone of any democratic society and a fundamental basis for development.
To celebrate the UDHR, UNESCO is hosting an International High Level Symposium on Freedom of Expression focusing on the central role it plays in promoting dialogue, democracy and development.
The Symposium will take place on 29 October 2008 and will involve around 400 participants including Heads of State, government officials, policymakers, Nobel Prize Laureates and World Press Freedom Prize winners, as well as representatives of major non-governmental organizations and media professionals.
The Symposium is divided into an opening session, followed by three forums:
• Opening Session - Welcome speech by UNESCO Director-General Koïchiro Matsuura; Lydia Cacho Ribeiro and May Chidiac, World Press Freedom Prize Laureate’s of 2008 and 2006 giving testimony; Keynote address by David Schlesinger, Reuters Editor-in-Chief;
• Session 1 - A discussion about Freedom of Expression and Development;
• Session 2 - Freedom of Expression and Democracy;
• Session 3 - Freedom of Expression and Dialogue.
The Symposium will provide a forum for debate and discussion of the challenges and opportunities that exist at the nexus of freedom of expression, dialogue, democracy and development. Monitoring the latest trends in journalism, such as violence against journalists and restrictions on media outlets, shows the need to bolster the work of freedom of expression advocates along with the media institutions that are threatened.
Journalists are under increasing attack and good journalism is endangered, especially in societies that would most benefit from a pluralistic and independent media. A very small percentage of the crimes committed against journalists, including murder, is investigated and rarely is anyone held accountable for these crimes. This violence constitutes one of the greatest threats to freedom of expression and freedom of the press.
