Federation of African Journalists, FAJ, Congress
By Wallace Mawire Harare : All is set for the Second Federation of African Journalists, FAJ, Congress to be held on March 27 and 28, 2010 in Harare, Zimbabwe. Journalism trade unions and associations from Africa are expected to start arriving in Zimbabwe this week for the Second Congress. Senior officials from the inclusive government will play key roles, including officiating or attending some of the sessions of the two day congress hosted by The Zimbabwe Union of Journalists, according to ZUJ Secretary General Foster Dongozi. Delegates have been drawn from the African continent’s sub regional groups of Southern Africa, East Africa, Central Africa, West Africa and North Africa.
The President of the International Federation of Journalists, IFJ, Jim Boumelha and the General Secretary, Aidan White have confirmed their participation at the congress as have some sister trade unions from other parts of the world.
Some of the key figures at the Second Federation of African Journalists, FAJ, congress will include Madam Habiba Mejri- Cheikh from the African Union, AU,Madam Pansy Tlakula, the African Commission’s Special Rapporteur for Freedom of Expression and representatives from UNESCO.
FAJ’s observer status within the African Union is being finalised at the continental body’s headquarters in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
Representatives from the diplomatic and donor communities, together with Press Freedom and Freedom of Expression and media advocacy partners will be in attendance. The inaugural FAJ congress was held in Nairobi, Kenya, 2008 and was officially opened by Prime Minister Raila Odinga. The body was formed after extensive consultations among African journalists on the need to form a Pan African continental federation for trade unions and associations for journalists.
Under the International Federation of Journalists, IFJ, family, other regions have continental federations for their unions and associations. Consultations were held in Moscow, Russia, Morrocco’s Rabat and Abuja in Nigeria with the last meeting agreeing on the formation of FAJ. The Harare congress will be running under the theme: Beyond 2010: Shaping Our Future- Stronger Unions, Decent Work and Quality Journalism in Africa.
Panel discussions will cover, ethical journalism, media accountability and climate change, Press Freedom and Media Development, safety for journalists, Gender Mainstreaming and equity in unions and media organisations.
Union organising and fighting for better working conditions for journalists in Africa will also be discussed.
The FAJ congress is being held ahead of the International Federation of Journalists, IFJ, congress which will be held in May, Spain.
