High Level Media Workshop on the African Peace and Security Architecture
2 – 4 November 2011, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia: Draft declaration of the high level media workshop on the African peace and Security Architecture
Promoting the culture of peace in the media
WE, media professionals, participated in the first High Level Media Workshop on the African Peace and Security Architecture in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, from 2 to 4 November 2011, to share information and enhance our knowledge of the activities and programmes of the African Union Commission and of the organs of this Continental Organisation;
OUR workshop was held against the backdrop of on-going and persistent characterized by persistent conflicts on the continent, despite the efforts and some progress made in promoting peace, security and stability, which are essential conditions for the economic development and social cohesion of African States, as stated in the Constitutive Act of the Union;
REAFFIRMING our commitment to the vision of a strong and united Africa buttressed by values promoting and protecting human and peoples’ rights, good governance and for establishing the rule of law, consolidating institutions and a democratic culture, as stated in the Constitutive Act;
WELCOMING the efforts and encouraging results of the “Year of Peace and Security in Africa”, implemented by the African Union, as well as the “Make Peace Happen” campaign;
REAFFIRMING the role and the place of the media in promoting the culture of peace throughout the continent;
CONSIDERING that this role is essential towards eliminating the scourge of war and contribute to entrenching a culture of peace, which is crucial to the development of the continent;
RECOGNIZING the constructive role of the media in promoting peace, democracy, and in processes seeking reconciliation and preservation of national unity;
ENCOURAGING this responsible practice and undertaking to work towards strengthening it;
We hereby declare as follows:
REAFFIRM our collective commitment to work for the entrenchment of a culture of peace in Africa and urge all media to contribute thereto;
WELCOME the establishment of the Network of Journalists for Peace and Security in Africa (NetPeace);
UNDERTAKE to promote the flow of information between the African Union and the media, particularly in the area of peace and security and across the NetPeace network, and undertake to establish a mechanism for information access and sharing;
ALSO UNDERTAKE to promote the network’s activities as well as synergies with existing media networks working for peace and security on the continent;
REQUEST the Bureau of NetPeace network to constantly monitor activities, in a bid to give more visibility to African Union activities for the promotion of peace and stability;
UNDERTAKE to give the world an African account and perspective of events that occur on the continent;
ENCOURAGE Member States of the African Union, Regional Economic Communities (RECs) and regional mechanisms to involve the NetPeace network in their activities to promote and entrench peace, security and stability;
ALSO ENCOURAGE NetPeace network members to inform the public on the functioning and various actions of the African Union in the field of peace and security;
INVITE media representative and organisations to endorse this Declaration and to join NetPeace network;
REQUEST the African Union Commission to assist the Bureau of NetPeace network so as to act as the secretariat;
NOTE WITH APPRECIATION the assistance provided by the Francophone Research Network on Peace Operations (ROP) of the University of Montréal
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