Call to all interested journalists to participate in trainings and discussions on reporting on the European integration process
People 2 People and EPI CENTER International within the framework of the activities of the project "Nordic support for the progress of North Macedonia", financed by the Swedish Agency for International Development Cooperation SIDA, and implemented by the United Nations Office for Project Services UNOPS, invites all journalists from local, regional and national media to sign up for interactive trainings and discussions.
We will discuss the European integration process in the context of priority issues: understanding the role of the media in the EU integration process, the goals of the chapters themselves and an analytical approach to the effects of EU membership in order to present the importance of this process for all citizens.
The general goal of these trainings and interactive discussions is to get to know each other, learn and share experiences about the importance of the European integration process and the role of the media, institutions in North Macedonia and the EU. It is also important to discuss the possible ways of reporting how we could inform the public more qualitatively and more efficiently about the various aspects of the EU integration process, about the news, the current achievements, but also the challenges for the further approach to the EU membership.
The knowledge of journalists as well as the quality of their reporting will be improved through the presentation of key tools and techniques. By becoming familiar with the basic principles of data literacy and modern ways of presenting them, as well as insight into the practice used by fellow journalists from the region, journalists will develop skills necessary for a broader analytical approach to reporting on various topics. At the same time, advanced communication between journalists from different regions of the country is also very important, as well as exchange of experiences and improvement of cooperation with relevant and competent institutions, and above all with the Secretariat for European Affairs (SEP).
Concept of the panel discussions:
The project includes the organization of one-day interactive trainings and discussions in four regions for different groups of participants. All discussions will be organized in the period from November 7 to 11, 2022 in the following regions and settlements: the northeastern and Vardar region with Veles, the southeastern region with Strumica, the southwestern region with Bitola, the southwestern region with Tetovo.
The topics that will be covered by these discussions:
1. Basic EU terms and key EU institutions - the role and competences of the various EU institutions and funds - a brief reminder/presentation of the most important EU institutions, their roles, competences and a brief overview of the most important EU funds.
2. Sources of information and tools for information, research, analysis and monitoring of topics on the EU Portal, thematic pages, institutions, agencies and other EU bodies.
3. The new methodology for the enlargement of the EU and North Macedonia - meaning of the process and understanding of the changed methodology and the way of decision-making in the EU.
4. Presentation of examples from the region – the process of research and work on texts through the acquisition of skills such as the use of public information, the use of online and offline databases and other types of sources.
5. The significance of the EU accession process for local communities - how the media in the region report at the local level.
Who can participate?
Regional discussions are intended for journalists from local and regional media and correspondents for national media from different regions in North Macedonia who know the basic principles of investigative journalism, have experience reporting on EU integrations or want to learn more about the EU integration process, respect ethical standards in reporting and are ready to advance their professional skills and gain new knowledge and access to new tools for their work. For this purpose, a total of 50 journalists will be selected, i.e. 10 students per event/panel discussion.
All those interested can register at the following link for registration by filling out a short form.
Lecturers and trainers:
Olgica Lola Milojević – moderator and political scientist
Olgica Lola Milojevic has a master's degree in political science at the University of Belgrade. She has been a public policy/gender/communications consultant and certified trainer for over 20 years.
Ms. Milojevic has extensive work experience as a consultant, project coordinator / project manager at the local, regional and international level, with: UNDP, USAID, SDC; ISC, NDI, OSCE, WFD, FES, SIDA, World Bank) etc.
Recently, she made the first quantitative analysis of the content in televisions and newspapers that report on the migrant crisis in Serbia, with a gender perspective. Furthermore, she consulted MPs as well as media representatives/journalists on their empowerment by increasing their knowledge on the issue of human security, human rights and human rights to asylum; increasing public awareness of their position within the "Citizens' Network for Human Security", funded by the EU in the Western Balkans, Greece and Turkey.
Jelka Jovanović – editor and journalist
Jelka Jovanović is an experienced and distinguished journalist and editor. She worked as a journalist and editor for more than 25 years in the daily newspaper Danas and the weekly magazine NOVI MAGAZIN. She is also an experienced media trainer, moderator of famous political debates and educator, engaged in various projects (FOS, USAID, OSCE, EU Delegation to Serbia, etc.) and has worked on numerous topics of human rights, social issues, politics etc.
Nikola Radisic – guest journalist, N1's EU correspondent
He started his journalistic career in September 1993 in Indžija, where he gained his first experience as a journalist, host, editor of news programs. His first encounter with television was in 1996, when he joined the crew of the popular "Garage". Then, as one of the two Serbian journalists in Pristina, he started reporting for B92, where he spent 15 years after returning from Kosovo, as a reporter, journalist, editor, presenter. In the meantime, he collaborated with numerous media, from domestic media houses such as RTS, Studio B, Blitz or Radio 021, but also with foreign ones such as Al Jazeera, BBC, Bulgarian National Radio or newspapers of Serbian expatriates in America.
PhD. Maja Vukadinović – media, information and digital literacy trainer
Maja Vukadinović is an assistant professor at the Faculty of Contemporary Arts, head of the media module, where she teaches media and journalism courses. She is also an experienced media trainer and educator, engaged in various projects (OSCE, EU Delegation to Serbia, FOS, etc.) and has held numerous trainings on new journalistic skills, media and digital literacy, strategic communications and other topics.
Representative from the Secretariat for European Affairs
The locations of the discussions are listed above in the call.
Applications can be submitted by filling out the form at the above link.
Application deadline: The deadline for filling out the application form is October 31, 2022.
Note: The costs of transportation, accommodation and food during the trainings are provided by the organizer. Each participant will receive a certificate of participation from UNOPS.
The discussion is held within the framework of the Project "Nordic Support for the Progress of North Macedonia" implemented by UNOPS within the framework of the activity for improving the capacities of the media for reporting the EU accession process financed by the Swedish Agency for International Development Cooperation SIDA.