Dates: 20 – 21 November 2014

Region: Western Balkans

The latest Gay Pride Parade held in Belgrade under heavy security and police presence is just one of the examples of minorities’ status in Western Balkans. Many would argue though, that the situation can be improved in the whole Europe. For instance, some of the problems are xenophobia and hate speech towards the immigrants in the old EU member countries, as well as the culture of segregation and discrimination against Roma in Hungary and Slovakia.

At the conference “EU Integration and Minority Protection in the Western Balkans: mapping the way ahead” held in Sarajevo within the MAXCAP project, the effectiveness of EU instruments and strategies for strengthening minority rights protection was discussed.

Region: Worldwide

Published: 13 June 2014

Thomson Reuters Foundation organises a three-day seminar for journalists who are interested in or cover security issues around the world.

The 2014 Global Security Seminar aims to improve the quality of reporting on security and terrorism exploring the challenges of responsible coverage on these issues and comparing approaches with journalists from a range of different countries. This major seminar will bring together leading security experts, authoritative commentators and journalists for a series of lively presentations and debates.

Date: 27 October 2013

Country: Egypt

Many Egyptians count down the days to vote in a public referendum for the new constitution that is being drafted behind closed doors. Specially, the wording and outcome of the articles in the constitution related to media have generated so much expectation and heated discussions.

The Media Diversity Institute gathered the prominent figures in Egypt in order to discuss freedom of the media in the new constitution. Influential media and political figures attended the debate, such as Amr El-Shobaky, one of the 50 members of the committee in charge of reviewing the drafted Constitution.

Published: 22 October 2013

Country: UK, London

Some of the world's foremost indigenous musicians, dancers and choreographers, theatre-makers, visual artists, film-makers and cooks are coming to London to “perform and inform, to exhibit and explain, to debate and celebrate”. It is time to celebrate our ancient cultures. It is time for Origins – Festival of First Nations from 23^rd of October until 3^rd of November.

“We need to remember that we need bridges and reconciliation with indigenous people who were colonized. And the colonization came from here”, said Michael Walling, founder of Border Crossings and the art director of Origins Festival. Talking to the Media Diversity Institute (MDI), he stressed how important is to remember that there is a different way of looking at the world and that we need to embrace and celebrate ancient cultures.

Deadline: 30 November

Region: Arab region

The Anna Lindh Foundation is launching the new project Reporters Across Borders that seeks the participation of young journalists from the Arab region who wish to take part in an exchange aiming at promoting intercultural reporting in the Euromed Region.

It is an opportunity for Arab Journalists to move across other Arab and Euromed countries in order to cover intercultural stories and learn from other journalistic practices in the region for one or two weeks with the expenses covered by the organisation.

Dates: 24 - 26 October 2013

Deadline to apply: 29 September 2013

Country: Italy

The Media Diversity Institute is inviting senior print, online and broadcast editors from across Europe to meet in Cagliari, Sardinia, between 24-26 October 2013, to share their approaches, opinions and experience in relation to the challenge of balancing freedom of expression with the rise of extremist movements in Europe and how media coverage it.