The series of training courses aimed to build journalists’ capabilities to report on election processes in the run-up to the November 2010 presidential and legislative elections. Courses focused on raising journalists’ awareness on elections issues, related ethical matters and on the potential role that they can play, in particular with regard to reducing violence during this crucial period for the future of the country.

Jacques Desrosiers, Secretary-General of the Haitian Journalism Association (AJH) explained, “In view of the important role of journalists in framing public opinion, journalists must have the necessary tools to enable them to produce reports, foster debates and present elections fora and programmes, particularly with the candidates, in order to allow voters to make the best choice”.

The seminars were carried out over three weekends, between 29 October and 21 November 2010. This activity received support from the MDG Achievement Fund, within the framework of the programme for the reduction of violence and social cohesion in Haiti.

An additional information session on cholera and the combat of the epidemic was held in the framework of the training. This session was given by the French-founded organization Action against Hunger (Action contre la faim) to highlight the central role that journalists can play in disseminating information on the measures recommended by the Haitian Ministry of Health in order to curb the spread of the illness.