Bujumbura, Burundi

According to the organisers of this training, Radio La Benevolencija HTF ("la Benevolencija"), this training programme draws on their work in the Great Lakes Region (Rwanda, Burundi, and Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC)) which applies psychological research to support violence prevention, peace-building, and trauma healing through the targeted use of communication outlets. The training programme for 2009 focuses on mid-career media professionals of the Great Lakes region and is designed to encourage exchanges between international and regional experts on core issues relating to the media, and peace building and consolidation initiatives in the region.

The training consists of four courses, each five days long. There will also be an introductory lecture on universal psychological dynamics related to hate speech and propaganda and ways to counteract them, including transitional justice mechanisms and media deontology in election periods. The courses are as follows:

• Media Literacy, Propaganda, Manipulation and Hate speech
• Media Law, Deontology and Ethics Codes in Times of Elections
• Transitional Justice, Traditional Justice and Impunity
• Media, Mass Violence and Peace: The Role of the Media in Elections and Conflict

Interested candidates can request more information and application forms from the contacts below.


Deadline for application: September 15, 2009.

Some scholarships are available for students participating from the Great Lakes Region (Rwanda, Burundi, and East Congo).