AU, AfroMedia Launch Training Course for Journalists, Media Professionals

Under the auspices of the African Union delegation in Egypt, AfroMedia Initiative has announced the launch of a training course for African journalists and media professionals, as well as those working in the field from Egyptians—both Arabic-speaking and non-Arabic-speaking residents of Egypt—on the occasion of Africa Day, which coincides with the celebration of World Press Freedom Day and the anniversary of Organization of African Unity(OAU).

Ambassador Nader Fattah El Alim, Director of the African Union Office in Cairo, stated that the training course is free under the auspices of the African Union delegation in Cairo, based on and in accordance with the recommendations of the African Agenda 2063 in its section on African voices and its emphasis on its deep appreciation for successive generations of advocates for African unity and contributors to the liberation of nations. 

This includes AfroMedia's activation of the communication strategy outlined in the African Agenda to mobilize all segments of African society and diaspora and to create general awareness for its successful implementation through initiatives and media programs in events and activities related to the agenda, as one of the communication channels entrusted to stimulate participation and feedback from various African stakeholders.

Hassan Ghazaly, international activist and founder of the AfroMedia Initiative, stated that the course is free and bears the name of the late prominent media figure, Hazem Abdel Wahab, former Director General of African Radio Stations directed to Africa, whose tireless work and sincere patriotism towards Egypt testify to his African identity. Ghazaly added that the late Hazem Abdel Wahab was able to understand and comprehend the historical educational liberation approach of the Egyptian Radio and Television Union in shaping the image of the Egyptian state in the African imagination during the years of struggle and liberation, especially with his fluency in Swahili, which made him very close to students studying the language, whether Egyptians or non-Egyptians.

It is noteworthy to mention that the AfroMedia Initiative is one of the programs of the Global Solidarity Network, which was established in February 2021 by anthropologist Hassan Ghazaly as part of the education and culture program. 

Through voluntary work, its programs and activities have provided totally free opportunities to about 560 beneficiaries from about 37 African countries. It seeks to serve as a media conduit between the Egyptian people and the rest of the African continent, coordinating and arranging reciprocal media messages between Egyptian and non-Egyptian Africans, promoting accurate perceptions of the continent, and instructing and training Egyptian journalists and media outlets on African content in general. 

It also aims to train and qualify non-Egyptian African journalists and media professionals for the job market through a variety of events, workshops, training courses, and discussion sessions.