01 Jun 2022 WACC to launch results of journalist training program on refugees, migrants

Everyone is invited to celebrate the results of WACC’s five-month cross-regional journalist training program on migration and refugee issues via an online presentation Thursday, June 9, 2022, 12noon-2pm CEST (Brussels).

Participant journalists and media professionals from Africa, Europe and the Middle East will present their projects, including a podcast on migrant workers in Lebanon and another, on universities in Italy as migration corridors.

Registration in advance is required: https://bit.ly/3MWkwOa

Presentations and interpretation will be provided in English, French and Arabic.

The presentation will include responses from experts in conflict journalism, global migration, and EU policy and legislation — Judith Raupp, journalist and trainer from the Democratic Republic of Congo, Dr Torsten Moritz, general secretary of the Churches’ Commission for Migrants in Europe, and Rev Dr Seforosa Carroll, program executive for Mission and Mission from the Margins, World Council of Churches.

“We’ve had spirited discussions on the role of journalism and the complex realities refugees in different regions are facing,” says Sara Speicher, WACC deputy general secretary. “The situations that the journalists have identified for their reports showcase the value of going beyond headlines, to hear from refugees and migrants themselves and better understand the challenges, motivations, and opportunities they have.”

The training program, Changing the Narrative: Cross-regional training programme on media  coverage of refugees and migrants, was launched in January by the WACC regional networks in Europe, Middle East and Africa. Twelve journalists and media professionals from Africa, Europe and the Middle East joined the program.

The program was designed to help journalists cover refugee and migration issues “ethically and accurately,” to enable refugees and migrants speak out on their behalf, and to strengthen NGOs working with migrants and refugees to work with news media and address hate speech.

This project was supported with funds from Otto Per Mille of the Waldensian Church of Italy. 

Above: A refugee from Iran holds his son as they approach the border into Croatia near the Serbian village of Berkasovo in 2015. The ACT Alliance provided critical support for refugee and migrant families here and in other places along their journey. Photo by Paul Jeffrey/ACT Alliance