Afro FM 105.3: Peace Workshop /Ambo

Peace Workshop /Ambo
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Henok  on 01/08/2011 15:18:00
 
The General Director made the remarks at the opening of a relevant training
workshop for journalists over the weekend.  Shimelis Meressa has more on the
story
Around 30 journalists of the print and electronics mediums drawn from the state,
public and private institutions spent this last weekend in Ambo town, 107 kms
west of Addis Ababa. The journalists gathered in one of the beautiful hotels in
the town, Ambo Ethiopia, to deliberate on the role of media for peace.
Opening the workshop Director of the Ethiopian International Peace and
Development Institute Sibhat Nega reiterated on the importance of realizing
sustainable growth, good governance and democracy if sustainable peace is to
prevail in our planet. The Director who was the guest of honor said journalists
have the leading role to play in the overall process mainly in sensitizing the
society.
401…..(27:21aratu …..
Peace, democracy, development and good governance are all created by the active
participation of the society. In this regard, the media practitioners have the
leading role to play. Journalists need to intensely work in sensitizing the
public and creating critical mass .For this to happen they need to upgrade their
knowledge, critically see the cultures and norms of the society and present
accordingly.
In an exclusive Interview with AFRO FM, Government Communication Affairs Office
Director Motuma Temesgen mentioned the prime attention given to the prevalence
of peace. He said peace is one of the important elements towards realizing
democratic order and bring development in the country. The Director said the
media in our country should primarily focus on the conflict resolution
mechanisms and ways of building trust among the society.  604….4; 15(media
can)….5; 08
Relevant papers that consider the current reality on peace reporting and
interpretations were presented upon which intense discussions were made. The
journalist have finally agreed to vigorously work on enhancing their knowledge
on the issue, use their media houses towards promoting peace and collectively
work in the issues of their common good.
Other sideline events; denoting Ambo as a peace town, plantation of trees and
visit to some of the historical places of the town were carried out by the
journalists through the invitation of the officials of the city administration.
The workshop was organized by the Interfaith Peace Building Initiative in
collaboration with the Ethiopian Journalists Association. The Interfaith Peace
Building Initiative also took the opportunity to introduce its current
activities and basic principle governed by what is said to be the golden rule
available in all religions in the world; …”In everything, do to others as
you would have them to you.”
May Peace Prevail on Earth!!!  (AFRO FM)