WHAT:              Virtual Conference on the Role of the Media in Silencing the Guns in Africa

 

WHEN:                Thursday, October 8, 2020

TIME:               15.00 – 18.00hrs  (GMT+3)
 

THEME:            “Silencing the Guns in Africa: creating conducive conditions for Africa’s development”

WHO:                 H.E. Smail Chergui, Commissioner for Peace and Security will deliver a keynote address

                            H.E. Josep Borell Fontelles – High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice President of the European Commission

WHY:            

As part of its Agenda 2063 framework, the AU Heads of State and Government adopted

the ambitious initiative to silence the guns and end all conflicts in Africa by 2020. The year 2020, therefore, is a turning point, as it sets out to fulfill a pivotal condition to create the necessary environment, to move forward Africa’s development agenda. African citizens and communities have raised expectations regarding the fulfillment of the objectives of the theme of the year – “Silencing the Guns: creating conducive conditions for Africa’s development” - with the virtual media conference providing the platform  to highlight and involve the media in critical conversations regarding multisectoral efforts and unprecedented collaborative initiatives to bring about the necessary peace and security, which will guarantee conducive conditions for Africa’s development. For the past seven years, the African Union has undertaken great efforts to realize the laudable objective of ending violent conflicts on the continent, guided by the AU Master Roadmap of Practical Steps to Silence the Guns in Africa. However, to achieve considerable strides in silencing the guns, the campaign requires backing from a broad cross-section of stakeholders, including the media. The media does have an important role to play in averting or dampening down incipient crises. Often, media reports serve as an early warning to conflict, which is essential in conflict prevention especially in areas considered high risk. It is also not in doubt that development cannot thrive in the absence of peace and security; and that, the Media plays an integral role in fostering an environment of peace. Against this background it is paramount to ensure sufficient visibility to the Silencing the Guns initiative and a robust discourse on the successes and challenges in silencing the continent’s guns -thus, the need to actively involve the media, as key stakeholders, in conversations related to silencing the guns.

OBJECTIVES OF THE VIRTUAL CONFERENCE:

Active media participation in key discussions regarding silencing the guns in Africa, will enhance not only the knowledge of journalists on peace and security issues; it will also increase the level of understanding on the nexus between peace and development and boost the credibility of stories disseminated; while at the same time, build strong and lasting relationships with the African Union. The virtual conference is one of the most effective ways of enlisting media support to raise awareness on the root causes and the impact of violent conflict on the continent.

EXPECTED OUTCOMES

The webinar will;

·       Create a better understanding of the mandate and objectives of the Silencing the Guns initiative and the AU theme of the year 2020 – “Silencing the Guns: creating conducive conditions for development”;

·       Create a better understanding of the role of the African Union, Member States, Regional Economic Communities/Regional Mechanisms and other key stakeholders in ending violent conflicts in Africa;

·       Contribute towards well informed media content on the silencing the guns initiative, the production of high quality, well-researched, adequately sourced news content;

·       Increase media attention and raise media scrutiny on the AU Master Roadmap of Practical Steps to Silence the Guns in Africa, the blue print that guides the silencing the guns initiative;

·       Raise awareness about the impact of violent conflicts to the continent’s progress and growth.

Note to the Editor:

The AU theme of the year 2020 - ‘Silencing the Guns: creating conducive conditions for Africa’s development’ - reinforces African Union’s efforts to silence the continent’s guns - focusing in particular, on addressing the underlying root-causes of conflict and facilitating socio-economic development. Silencing the Guns Initiative is one of the flagship projects and programmes of Agenda 2063, Africa’s blue print for its long-term socio-economic and integrative transformation.

Journalists are invited to register and take part in the virtual conference scheduled for Thursday 8th October 2020, at 3.00 p.m. East Africa Time (GMT+3)

Register in advance for this webinar: https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_oiyecN7GRn-APY2HtqhRzg

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the online meeting.

The programme is attached.

Media contact:

1.     Mrs. Esther Azaa Tankou | Head, Information Division, Directorate of Information and Communication, African Union Commission | Tel: +251(0) 911361185 | E-mail: yamboue@africa-union.org

2.     Mr. Gamal Ahmed A. Karrar| Senior Communication Officer| Directorate of Information and Communication, African Union Commission | E-mail: GamalK@africa-union.org