CALL FOR JOURNALISTS
TRAINING COURSE ON “MEDIA EMPOWEREMENT AGAINST TORTURE – PARTICIPATION IN A SESSION OF THE UN COMMITTEE AGAINST TORTURE (CAT)”
Geneva, Switzerland will play host to the 51st Session of the UN Committee against Torture (CAT) between 28 October and 22 November 2013. Among other nations, Burkina Faso and Kyrgyzstan will be reviewed. Accordingly, Gmedia center and the World Organisation Against Torture (OMCT) will organise a workshop for journalists originating from the two for-mentioned countries in the week running from Wednesday 6th of November to Wednesday 13th of November 2013.
Main objective of the workshop:
The 7-days workshop aims to provide a comprehensive overview on the notion of torture and other cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment or punishment, and the UN Committee against Torture (CAT).
Methodology of the workshop:
Journalists will benefit from debates and discussions conducted by Human Rights experts from the Academia, Media, UN Agencies and International non governmental organizations (NGOs) whose tasks include highlighting the doctrine, conventions, practice and monitoring mechanisms and institutions but also sharing experiences and good practices and challenging the role of the media as key watchdog. As part of this project, journalists attend the CAT sessions concerning their respective countries and take part in press conferences, side events and other meetings with delegations according to their interests and relevancy. Journalists should not only listen to the information provided but should also have chance to interview, question and challenge delegations from States, IGO and NGOs.
Expected Outcome:
1. Improve media human rights knowledge, in particular of the notion of torture and ill-treatment and the obligation to prevent and protect from torture, and understanding of human rights mechanisms and their importance for domestic reforms;
2. Develop media investigating and reporting capacity of human rights abuses and violations;
3. Provide accurate information/materials on the UN Human Rights mechanisms with special consideration to the CAT and the mechanisms of the Optional Protocol to the Convention against torture;
4. Allow media to directly access discussions taking place within the CAT and other institutional apparatus in Geneva;
5. Facilitate interaction between the media, governmental officials and civil society organizations based in Geneva and/or operating in their countries;
6. Encourage media to follow-up and lobby for their governments’ pledges holding them accountable for their international obligations;
7. Empower media as key players within civil society.
Journalist Selection Process
Due to the limited places available for the Workshop, Gmedia Center and OMCT have installed a few criterias regarding the journalist selection process;
· Journalists shall prove their capacity to speak and read in English (the language of the workshop will be English and there will be no interpretation available);
· Participants will need to prove their ‘active status’ as journalists and be in possession of a press card;
· Journalists selected shall be from different mediums of communication (radio, television, print press, online coverage);
· The workshop shall aim to have gender balance in the journalists selected.
Practical information:
No cost. Applicants will be reviewed and those qualified will be selected to receive grant sponsorship with the number of participants subject to availability of funding.
GMEDIA and OMCT will facilitate the obtaining of a visa for Switzerland through issuance of an official letter of invitation.
To Register
Please send relevant information, including your curriculum vitae, a cover letter, and the registration form (see enclosed) no later than October 10th 2013 to fpiccin@gmediacenter.net
Contact persons:
For further information and/or questions, please contact Francesca Piccin: fpiccin@gmediacenter.net