By Seif Gracien Hasingizwimana/ Cairo, Egypt,
Training and communication among African journalists are among the most important avenues for building bridges of cooperation among African countries.
Dr. Mohamed Fayez Farhat, President of the Union of African Journalists (UAJ) and Chairman of the Board of Directors of Al-Ahram Foundation, said during the closing ceremony of the 63rd Training Course of the Union of African Journalists, known as the “Mahfouz El-Ansary Course.”
“Training and communication among African journalists represent one of the most important avenues for building bridges of cooperation among African countries,” Farhat said.
He also highlighted the importance of developing journalists’ skills to keep pace with the rapid transformations taking place in the media sector, particularly in light of technological developments and the growing use of artificial intelligence.
The 63rd Training Course of the Union of African Journalists concluded this morning after bringing together a distinguished group of African and Egyptian journalists and media professionals. The course was organized by the Union in cooperation with the Supreme Council for Media Regulation and the Egyptian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, as part of efforts to support journalistic cooperation and promote the exchange of expertise and knowledge among media institutions and journalists across the African continent.
Counselor Reem Hindi, Member of the General Secretariat of the Supreme Council for Media Regulation, stressed the importance of continuing cooperation between the Council and the Union of African Journalists in a way that contributes to enhancing journalists’ professional capabilities and promoting professionalism and adherence to media ethics.
“Egypt is keen to support media communication and cooperation with its fellow African countries,” Hindi affirmed.
Marie-Louise, President of the Journalists’ Union of Côte d’Ivoire, expressed her appreciation for Egypt’s role in supporting African journalists during the closing ceremony.
She also stressed the importance of continuing training programs and professional exchanges among journalists across the continent.
The closing ceremony also featured a special tribute by the Union of African Journalists to veteran journalist and writer Mahfouz El-Ansary. The recognition was received on his behalf by his wife, Mrs. Nagwa Khalil.
Nagwa Khalil expressed her happiness and appreciation for the honor, which, she said, means a great deal to both herself and Mr. El-Ansary, particularly in recognition of his more than 35 years of dedicated service to African journalism.
The training course addressed a number of contemporary professional and media issues, focusing on developing journalists’ capabilities and strengthening their professional tools, as well as addressing digital transformations and artificial intelligence in line with the requirements of modern journalism.
The 63rd Training Course of the Union of African Journalists comes within the framework of ongoing efforts to strengthen media c umuntuooperation between Egypt and African countries, enhance journalists’ professional capacities and promote the exchange of professional experiences and practices.
These efforts contribute to strengthening the role of the media in building bridges of communication and understanding among the peoples of Africa and reaffirm Egypt’s prominent and pivotal role in supporting African media cooperation.
The closing ceremony was attended by Counselor Osama Reihan, representing the Ministry of Foreign Affairs; Ambassador Mona Omar; veteran journalist Abdullah Hassan; Amall Abdel-Motaleb, Director General of the Media Training and Studies Center at the Supreme Council for Media Regulation; Dr. Samia Abbas, Secretary General of the Union; broadcaster Maher Abdel Aziz; media professional Ayman Adly; and Ms. Zeinab Helmy, Director of Training Courses at the Union.
Twenty journalists participated in this training, including 15 from different African countries and five journalists from Egypt.
They were Gracien Hasingizwimana from Rwanda, Fatma Suleiman Abrahman from Tanzania, Yashir Ashouak from Algeria, Mamouni Boujemaa from Algeria, Aikins Aba from Ghana, Randy Samuel from Ghana, Limu Yasin from Malawi, Yahaya Rasheeda Noro from Nigeria, Dridi Rafik from Tunisia, Chihame Christine from Zambia, Namusukuma Rudith from Zambia, Aboel Hussein Ibrahim from Egypt, Esraa Sarah Ahmed from Egypt, Islam Ragab El Sayed from Egypt, Shaimaa Medhat Mohamed from Egypt, Wael El Toukhy from Egypt, Sanogo Maimouna from Côte d’Ivoire, Etwilite Leamar Boubeid from the Islamic Republic of Mauritania, Angelina Gomis from Senegal, and Oyetunde Mayowa Salomon from Nigeria.
