UCIP

1. Introduction

Refresher Programme is one of the most popular programmes of continued formation among journalists, publishers and professors of communication. Such programmes have been organised since 1991 on various continents and the demand for organising them are on the increase. The originality and exceptional nature of the event have always brought more journalists than expected.

2. Aims

Each Refresher Programme is conceived taking into consideration the local and international realities:

In spite of sea-changes in the field of governments and society, threat to freedom of expression is growing day after day. The freedoms of the press and religion have been in greater danger due to growing economies and widening gap between the rich and the poor. Such serious threats to the basic freedoms and a series of conflicts and wars have destroyed peace and development. The programme will make a comprehensive analysis of the situation.

Absence of such freedoms also denies men and women the basic right to choose according to his or her conviction and hence contribute to the integral development and lasting peace. Refresher Programme is a serious attempt to safeguard freedom in view of stability and growth.

One of the main objectives of all Refresher Programmes is to improve the quality in reporting. In a world where inequality and intolerance continue to make heavy inroads, journalists are aware of the need to develop an ethics and information diffusion system founded on values of solidarity, sharing, equality and dignity of every individual.

The Refresher Programme is exceptionally conceived taking into consideration the needs of professional, active and dynamic journalists who want to serve their people in an international context in view of their integral development.

As most of the journalists have a basic training in journalism, what we envisage through this one-week International Refresher Programme is an analysis of subjects like freedom of information, ethics in journalism, conflicts in the field of the media, political systems and so on with the help of experts, and taking into consideration the present day exigencies. Such an educative analysis is a lot more important to a professional journalist who has been accomplishing his/her noble profession for a few years already.

Such a "training of oneself through the analysis of present-day realities" will help the active information diffusers to have sufficient and balanced understanding of international affairs, their impact on nations and peoples, and their significance in the profession of the journalist.

As the programme will bring together professionals from different walks of life, the event will give first-hand information on different peoples by the journalists hailing from the same group of people. This way of understanding realities is more fruitful and meaningful for a professional to report or comment on an event than relying on the lucrative and often biased international news agencies.

Refresher Programme is an occasion to reinforce solidarity and friendship among journalists. Solidarity and friendship leads to initiatives of mutual co-operation and development, exchange and learning, encouragement and support, thus finding the real meaning of one's own professional and personal life.

Such professional and personal contacts guarantee an ideal information network based on mutual respect irrespective of all difference, lead to goals of equal development, and respect the dignity of all.

The Refresher Programme is also a serious attempt to understand the contemporary society and to study profoundly the challenge of value-oriented journalism in the modern society.

The one-week Refresher Programme will discuss the issues in the region in view of peace and development. It will be also an exceptional opportunity for dialogue between media professionals, state and religious leaders.

3. Themes

The Refresher Programme analyses the most pressing issues of the host country, region and continent intends to discuss all the major issues of the region. Keynote speakers are experienced journalists and experts. You can find the themes of the past programmes later in this document under "Refresher Programme Review".

4. Methodology

Three to five study days are consecrated to explore the theme and its sub-themes with experienced speakers, resource persons and working groups. Keynote speakers are experienced journalists and experts from all walks of life.

Working groups meet during the study days to explore the theme from precise geographical and concrete professional levels. Selected exposures during the refresher week give the participants, resource parsons and organisers to get a touch with reality and first hand knowledge.

The refresher is also conceived to develop strong ties among its participants this allowing them to build their own networks for future and to become competent.

5. Local Organisation

The programme is organised by professional journalists in the host country, region or continent. We have been making sure that the event is organised by the creativity of local professional journalists so that values of equality and recognition are put into practice.

		Formation events worldwide in 1001 ways and forms that enrich and help network and expose the whys and hows

		1. Introduction Refresher Programme is one of the most popular programmes of continued formation among journalists, publishers and professors of communication. Such programmes have been organised since 1991 on various continents and the demand for organising them are on the increase. The originality and exceptional nature of the event have always brought more journalists than expected. 2. Aims Each Refresher Programme is conceived taking into consideration the local and international realities: In spite of sea-changes in the field of governments and society, threat to freedom of expression is growing day after day. The freedoms of the press and religion have been in greater danger due to growing economies and widening gap between the rich and the poor. Such serious threats to the basic freedoms and a series of conflicts and wars have destroyed peace and development. The programme will make a comprehensive analysis of the situation. Absence of such freedoms also denies men and women the basic right to choose according to his or her conviction and hence contribute to the integral development and lasting peace. Refresher Programme is a serious attempt to safeguard freedom in view of stability and growth. One of the main objectives of all Refresher Programmes is to improve the quality in reporting. In a world where inequality and intolerance continue to make heavy inroads, journalists are aware of the need to develop an ethics and information diffusion system founded on values of solidarity, sharing, equality and dignity of every individual. The Refresher Programme is exceptionally conceived taking into consideration the needs of professional, active and dynamic journalists who want to serve their people in an international context in view of their integral development. As most of the journalists have a basic training in journalism, what we envisage through this one-week International Refresher Programme is an analysis of subjects like freedom of information, ethics in journalism, conflicts in the field of the media, political systems and so on with the help of experts, and taking into consideration the present day exigencies. Such an educative analysis is a lot more important to a professional journalist who has been accomplishing his/her noble profession for a few years already. Such a "training of oneself through the analysis of present-day realities" will help the active information diffusers to have sufficient and balanced understanding of international affairs, their impact on nations and peoples, and their significance in the profession of the journalist. As the programme will bring together professionals from different walks of life, the event will give first-hand information on different peoples by the journalists hailing from the same group of people. This way of understanding realities is more fruitful and meaningful for a professional to report or comment on an event than relying on the lucrative and often biased international news agencies. Refresher Programme is an occasion to reinforce solidarity and friendship among journalists. Solidarity and friendship leads to initiatives of mutual co-operation and development, exchange and learning, encouragement and support, thus finding the real meaning of one's own professional and personal life. Such professional and personal contacts guarantee an ideal information network based on mutual respect irrespective of all difference, lead to goals of equal development, and respect the dignity of all. The Refresher Programme is also a serious attempt to understand the contemporary society and to study profoundly the challenge of value-oriented journalism in the modern society. The one-week Refresher Programme will discuss the issues in the region in view of peace and development. It will be also an exceptional opportunity for dialogue between media professionals, state and religious leaders. 3. Themes The Refresher Programme analyses the most pressing issues of the host country, region and continent intends to discuss all the major issues of the region. Keynote speakers are experienced journalists and experts. You can find the themes of the past programmes later in this document under "Refresher Programme Review". 4. Methodology Three to five study days are consecrated to explore the theme and its sub-themes with experienced speakers, resource persons and working groups. Keynote speakers are experienced journalists and experts from all walks of life. Working groups meet during the study days to explore the theme from precise geographical and concrete professional levels. Selected exposures during the refresher week give the participants, resource parsons and organisers to get a touch with reality and first hand knowledge. The refresher is also conceived to develop strong ties among its participants this allowing them to build their own networks for future and to become competent. 5. Local Organisation The programme is organised by professional journalists in the host country, region or continent. We have been making sure that the event is organised by the creativity of local professional journalists so that values of equality and recognition are put into practice.