May 10, 2016•Update: May 11, 2016
ANKARA
Anadolu Agency, Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TIKA) and UNESCO are planning a project to train Turkish and East African journalists.
The project is titled "Covering Migrations and Refugees: Strengthening media’s capacities."
UNESCO’s International Program for Development of Communication President Albana Shala and European Federation of Journalists President Mogens Blicher Bjerregard visited AA headquarters in Ankara Tuesday to discuss the project.
AA News Academy Coordinator Umit Sonmez said in the meeting: "I believe that we will empower [journalists through] this program because the target region of the program is the hinterland of Turkish geography.”
Recalling AA's long-standing cooperation with TIKA, Sonmez said: "We also believe that TIKA will make great contributions to this program; we have had several cooperation with TIKA in the field of journalism training."
The project aims to benefit Turkey and East African countries by training their journalists, which will continue for at least six months.
The project funding will cover training activities, accommodation and travel expenses of 20 to 30 East African journalists, two to three international journalist trainers and 10 Turkish journalists.
Shala noted that Turkey was hosting more than 2.5 million refugees. "We attach importance to the news about the refugees in the project.
"We want Turkish and East African journalists to take advantage of Turkey and Europe's experiences on refugees" she said.
Bjerregard said they have discussed how to identify journalists for the program with TIKA representatives. "We should also identify journalists among the refugees," he said.
Besides AA and TIKA, Turkey's Directorate of Press and Information, some media and refugee organizations will also contribute to the project.
