Addis Ababa, Ethiopia,16 APRIL 2019. 

The  Coalition on Media and Education for Development Africa Forum,(CAFOR) delegation led by the Executive Director, Dr. Lawalley Cole, accompanied by Mr. Tshimanga Mukadi-Mutoke, Senior Advisor, and Ms. Biruktayet Bilon, Special Assistant, held talks on 16 April 2019 at the UNESCO Liaison  Office with Mrs. Ana Elisa De Santana Alonso, Representative to Ethiopia and Director of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, (UNESCO) and Liaison Office to the African Union Commission,( AUC) and to United Nations Economic Commission for Africa,(ECA).

In his introductory remarks, CAFOR Executive Director underscored the Vision and Mission of CAFOR, and also expressed the need for CAFOR to enter into strategic partnership with UNESCO, especially during the forthcoming Celebration of the World Press Freedom Day to be held in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, from 1^st to 3^rd May 2019.

On her part, the UNESCO Representative, Ms. Ana Elisa De Santana Alonso welcomed the CAFOR delegation and expressed her willingness to closely work with CAFOR in enhancing  cooperation and in participating actively in the World Press Freedom Day in order to increase its visibility. She also emphasized that, the celebration will be focusing on the role of the media in democratic and electoral processes.

Furthermore, Ms. Ana underscored  the need for CAFOR in two years’ time to engage UNESCO in order to be granted  an official status with UNESCO so as to strengthen their working relationship and  that will be reflected in information sharing, and joint programs and  activities, particularly in the field of education.“

The UNESCO Representative also said that, the World Press Freedom Day serves as a reminder of the role of the media in the world and its support to society. In that regard, she indicated that CAFOR could play a crucial role in participating in UNESCO’s project on digital and mobile literacy on peace building for young journalists, as well as on media and information literacy on the culture for peace and security in Africa.

Finally, Ms. Ana Elisa stated that, she was looking forward to strengthening the strategic partnership with CAFOR on the basis of concrete projects such as, training of journalists for their participation in electoral and post electoral processes on the continent.

COALITION ON MEDIA AND EDUCATION FOR DEVELOPMENT AFRICA FORUM (CAFOR)

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