Conference on the role of the media with regard to migration and integration in Europe
19-11-2007 (Paris)
Photo from the Conference website
© France Télévisions
UNESCO and France Télévisions, France’s national public service television broadcaster, will host a conference entitled “Migration and integration, Europe’s big challenge. What role do the media play?”
The event, under the auspices of the European Broadcasting Union (EBU), the high patronage of the President of the French Republic, of the President of the European Parliament and of the Secretary-General of the European Council, will be held on 22 and 23 November at UNESCO Headquarters in Paris.
The Conference will be opened by UNESCO Assistant Director-General for Communication and Information, Abdul Waheed Khan, representing the Director-General. Notable participants at the event will include Brice Hortefeux, French Minister of Immigration, Integration, National Identity and Co-Development; Christine Albanel, French Culture and Communication Minister; and Fadela Amara, French Secretary of State in Charge for Urban Policies.
During the conference, professionals will compare experiences and ideas about four key areas where European broadcasters agree they can contribute to the process of integrating migrants:
On 22 November, a cultural roundtable will examine new procedures editors should initiate to promote multicultural expression and exchanges. This event will feature the participation of UNESCO’s Deputy Assistant Director-General for Communication and Information, Mogens Schmidt, as well as media personalities and writers, notably Spanish author and former Culture Minister Jorge Semprun. Participants will examine how European legislation and UNESCO’s Convention on Cultural Diversity contribute to improving the expression of diversity.
Jean Réveillon, Director-General of the EBU, and Abdul Waheed Khan, UNESCO’s Assistant Director-General for Communication and Information, will award the Boundless Prize, attributed to the makers of short videos promoting dialogue and cultural exchange between the north and south of the Mediterranean. The prize was launched a year ago by German broadcaster WDR, France Télévisions, EBU, the Permanent Conference of the Audiovisual Mediterranean Operators (COPEAM) and UNESCO.
On 23 November, a session will be devoted to European broadcasting practices. It will feature the presentation of a toolkit of good practices to improve social and cultural relations by reflecting diversity in information on public service television. The following session will examine the need for public service broadcasters to be models in terms of employment for professionals and trainees with foreign backgrounds.
The Conference will be opened by UNESCO Assistant Director-General for Communication and Information, Abdul Waheed Khan, representing the Director-General. Notable participants at the event will include Brice Hortefeux, French Minister of Immigration, Integration, National Identity and Co-Development; Christine Albanel, French Culture and Communication Minister; and Fadela Amara, French Secretary of State in Charge for Urban Policies.
During the conference, professionals will compare experiences and ideas about four key areas where European broadcasters agree they can contribute to the process of integrating migrants:
- on air presenters, hosts and actors should reflect and give visibility to diversity;
- close attention should be paid to the way in which information on issues relating to migration and integration is conveyed and analyzed;
- audiovisual works such as documentaries, films, fiction and cartoons must include all facets of life of the different components that
- a specific human resources policy should be put in place for the media, taking into account the multicultural dimension of society.
On 22 November, a cultural roundtable will examine new procedures editors should initiate to promote multicultural expression and exchanges. This event will feature the participation of UNESCO’s Deputy Assistant Director-General for Communication and Information, Mogens Schmidt, as well as media personalities and writers, notably Spanish author and former Culture Minister Jorge Semprun. Participants will examine how European legislation and UNESCO’s Convention on Cultural Diversity contribute to improving the expression of diversity.
Jean Réveillon, Director-General of the EBU, and Abdul Waheed Khan, UNESCO’s Assistant Director-General for Communication and Information, will award the Boundless Prize, attributed to the makers of short videos promoting dialogue and cultural exchange between the north and south of the Mediterranean. The prize was launched a year ago by German broadcaster WDR, France Télévisions, EBU, the Permanent Conference of the Audiovisual Mediterranean Operators (COPEAM) and UNESCO.
On 23 November, a session will be devoted to European broadcasting practices. It will feature the presentation of a toolkit of good practices to improve social and cultural relations by reflecting diversity in information on public service television. The following session will examine the need for public service broadcasters to be models in terms of employment for professionals and trainees with foreign backgrounds.
Related themes/countries
· Europe / North America
· France
· Media Development
· Freedom of Expression: News Archives 2007
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Contact information
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Contact
- Mogens Schmidt, UNESCO, Divison for Freedom of Expression, Democracy and Peace
- Anna Poplavskaia, UNESCO, Divison for Freedom of Expression, Democracy and Peace
- UNESCO Media Advisory No.2007-83
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