‘SUPPORTING UAE MEDIA’S EFFORTS IN REPORTING ON HUMANITARIAN CRISES AND ISSUES’
Dubai’s strong commitment to international social responsibility, combined with the emirate’s growth as a regional information hub, raises the media’s profile for addressing regional and international humanitarian issues responsibly.

To support the UAE media’s efforts in achieving this aim, the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) and Integrated Regional Information Network (IRIN), in partnership with the International Humanitarian City (IHC) and the Dubai Press Club, have the great pleasure of inviting you to join a unique training programme designed to provide journalists with practical guidance on reporting on HIV/AIDS.

Although HIV/AIDS is an emerging issue in the Middle East and North Africa region, there are often cultural or institutional barriers to reporting on this topic. By holding a half-day workshop on "reporting on HIV/AIDS", IRIN/OCHA hope to provide practical guidance on how to overcome barriers to reporting on sensitive issues, and highlight the role of the media in raising awareness of the problems in combating the spread of HIV/AIDS.

• Date: Monday, June 30th, 2008
• Time: From 8:30 am till 1:00 pm
• Venue: Dubai Press Club (at Dubai Media City)


>> PROGRAMME:

The one-day, interactive training session will be conducted by the deputy editor of IRIN’s "PlusNews" service, a dedicated news service on issues surrounding HIV/AIDS.

0830: Arrival and registration at the Dubai Press Club
0900 - 0945: Group exercise exploring participants’ understanding of the issues surrounding HIV/AIDS
0945 - 1030: Examples of good and bad reporting on HIV/AIDS
1030 - 1045: Coffee Break
1045 - 1145: Crafting a story on HIV/AIDS; language, sourcing information, dealing with cultural taboos
1145 - 1230: Working examples; participants practice some of the tips that have been discussed
1230 - 1300: Session led by UNICEF (TBC)
1300: Lunch


>> TRAINING COST:

This training programme is offered to you free of charge. Training includes handouts on humanitarian reporting, minimum standards and humanitarian response. Lunch and coffee will be provided.


>> APPLICATION:

Since there are a limited number of seats available, all applicants to this programme must be currently working as journalists or regular contributors to print, broadcast or online media organisations in the UAE. They must be able to demonstrate a genuine interest to the humanitarian sector. Certificates of attendance will be given to participants at the end of the day.

Candidates wishing to apply to this programme should complete and submit the attached ‘Application Form’ to khaled@irinnews.org before June 24th, 2008.


USEFUL WEB LINKS:

• Official website of OCHA: ochaonline.un.org
• Official website of IRIN: www.irinnews.org
• Official website of IHC: www.ihc.ae
• Official website of the Dubai Press Club: www.dpc.org.ae

Photograph: © Allan Gichigi/IRIN

Should you have any questions about this programme, please contact:
Nadia Evans, OCHA Dubai, e-mail: evans2@un.org