CONGRESSO MONDIALE UCIP

UCIP Congress in Burkina Faso - Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso, 12-19 September 2010


This report brings you images and sounds from Africa after the world congress took place at Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso from 12 to 19 September 2010. Photographs bring you images while the citations from some keynote addresses and other words bring you thoughts and ideas. For hundreds of participants and organisers, the UCIP World congress held at Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso was one of the beautiful congresses to date, an example and model for congresses to come. This was the first time the UCIP congress was organised on the African continent.

Just a few numbers

More than 1,000 participants from all the continents were present at the sessions. Of these, 455 were professional journalists coming from 48 nationalities of all five continents. More than 600 were political leaders, diplomats, religious personalities, professors, publishers, men and women from diverse walks of life and lawyers – representing 49 nationalities. More than 400 of those attending were young. More than 200 traditional and folk musicians, animators and dancers gave a glimpse into the rich cultures of Burkina Faso and more than 1,000 women and men welcomed a congress delegation to their village. More than 250 organising committee members, volunteers and security personnel attended to the needs of participants and escorted congress delegations to various parts of Burkina Faso. 32 national and international media organs reported the events live.

Importance of the Congress

The congress was above all an exceptional opportunity for ongoing learning, formation and exposure. The event clearly showed that the UCIP congress attracted not only media professionals but also all those who were interested in the congress theme, “Media at the Service of Justice, Peace and Good Governance in a World of Inequalities and Poverty”. The congress has been recognised as a world event for public utility and general interest.

Journalism Awards

The International Media Awards ceremony was one of the important catalysts for many journalists, especially from other parts of the world, who came to the congress. Twenty-six out of 43 winners of awards and honourable mentions came to the congress. In some cases they were represented by their institutions, publishing houses or colleagues.

The Dutch Bishops’ Conference offered the monetary prize for the Titus Brandsma Award. Titus Brandsma was a courageous and exemplary journalist. In paying honour to the Blessed Titus Brandsma, the representative of the Dutch Bishops’ Conference, Dr Bert Elbertse, said: “At an early stage Titus Brandsma warned against the dangers of National Socialism in Germany and elsewhere. He fiercely opposed in newspapers and lectures the racist measures of the Hitler regime. After Hitler invaded the Netherlands and occupied the country Brandsma continued with his resistance against the racist and anti-democratic measures of the occupier. For these activities he was arrested in 1942 and eventually ended up in the Dachau concentration camp. Here he was an example and guidance for many of his fellow prisoners. After undergoing medical experiments he died that same year.” The Titus Brandsma Award was conferred upon Professor Andres Canizalez, a journalist and professor based in Caracas, Venezuela

The Symposium of the Episcopal Conferences of Africa and Madagascar contributed to the Gold Medal. The Gold medal was conferred upon the Burkinabe daily newspaper L’Observateur Paalga and its founder-director, Edouard Ouédraogo. Congratulating the daily and its founder- director, journalist Stephen Rweikiza, based in Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania said: “We know that some press media in Africa and the world over have lived under oppression and dictatorships; their journalists and editors are being arrested, detained and even killed for simply performing the honourable cause of spearheading press freedom and the dignity of the people. Refusing to be controlled by the former regime we are happy today that the Burkina Faso government cherishes the daily L’Observateur Paalga’s contribution towards peoples and humanity at large.”

Keynotes

The following excerpts from the keynote addresses and messages give us a taste of the sessions and debates at the congress:

The human and spiritual values promoted by your organisation are full of hope, fraternity and peace. It predisposes itself to play a major role at international, regional and national levels in the promotion of democracy, good government, and social and economic development. These are the prerequisites for a united and blossoming world society. It is for this reason your organisation needs our support and encouragement. This present assembly constitutes an ideal setting for the reinforcement of the actions of women and men in the perspective of building a world of peace and justice. The involvement of other religious confessions in your activities, especially at this congress, shows the commitment of your association to the promotion of the fundamental values of fraternity and solidarity. – Blaise Campaore, President of Burkina Faso

Journalism is the best profession in the world but it is difficult and demanding. When one decides to be a journalist, one must work hard. Anyone without a vocation to this profession should stay away from the scene. – Beatrice Damiba, Chairperson of the National Council of Communication and Patroness of the Congress.

You have chosen to come to Ouagadougou to reflect on the establishment of a society of good governance that pledges peace in the world. You give hope to us mayors and administrators of cities and towns, these establishments that have to deal every day with so many problems arising from our consumerist society. - Simon Compaore, Mayor of Ouagadougou

In a time where the functioning of the media is more than ever contributory to economic forces the news cannot be presented well. The information itself has been taken hostage in a neo-liberal system where information is reduced to its commercial value. The media, as we can observe, put products into the market with the aim of profitability and competition. – Archbishop Séraphin François Rouamba, President of Episcopal Conference of Burkina-Niger

Dialogue without ambiguity and with respect is today a priority in which the Church clearly participates through the presence of the Holy See in diverse international organisations and through the specific and multifaceted engagement of local churches and the faithful in the diverse human communities in respect for subsidiarity. Dear journalist friends, you are the architects and witnesses of this way in which the Church sees dialogue, offering her humble service to society, attracting particular attention towards the poor, offering new horizons for a future of grandeur and dignity. – Archbishop Claudio Maria Celli, President of the Pontifical Council for Social Communications.

Society has become dependent on the media, which now play an advanced role in the dissemination of information. Part of the role of the media is to serve as gatekeeper. This entails a huge responsibility to inform the public about happenings around the world without fear or favour and devoid of any influence from any quarter. Nothing can be more constructive, purposeful and liberating than the integrity of truth just as nothing can be more destructive, fruitless and harmful as untruth. - Jerry John Rawlings, Former President of Ghana

The situation in Africa is that of multi-culturalism and religious pluralism. This situation puts other inter-cultural relations and experiences which are at the height of the human spirit in the heart of our social life. – Archbishop Anselme T. Sanon of Bobo Dioulasso

In a “globalised” society, even if we try our best, we Africans live outside this society. It is important to underline that the transfer of information be done at the speed of light. – Achille Kouawo, Journalist based in Niamey, Niger

No one can take the media out their own universe. The media gives us news on what happens around the world, disturbing views and perspectives, establishing a rapport with reality and an authenticity based on a temporary and reversible consensus, but away from certitudes based on the history and from absolute truth. Instead of supporting one theory and one faith in one religious or philosophical tradition, the media try in their diversity to operate the amalgam among diverse doctrines and visions of the world from a pragmatic and experiential understanding of the world. – Serge Théopile Balima, Journalist, diplomat and professor at the University of Ouagadougou

The poverty and social marginalisation endured by large sectors of society in Latin America affect the freedom of expression of the citizens. Their voices are ignored and consequently left out of any debate. Experience shows that extreme poverty has the potential seriously to erode the democratic institutional framework, as it tends to thwart democracy and render illusory citizen participation, access to justice, and the effective enjoyment of human rights. – Andres Canizalez, Journalist and professor at the University of Caracas, Venezuela

In Africa, the opening of possibilities for effective and integral democratisation gave rise, among other remarkable phenomena, to a revitalisation of national media landscapes with the development of diverse pluralistic print media as well as a wave of liberalisation through reinforced radio signals, supported by the new technological opportunities increasing the possibility of emission and reception. – Luc Adolphe Tiao, Burkina Faso Ambassador at Paris

The press in fact is irreplaceable and a prodigious instrument for the development of all relationships and of harmony and rapprochement among peoples. It can also be a horrible instrument of destruction. The journalist is at the heart of the trilogy of good governance, democracy and development. Journalists should therefore measure the importance and the gravity of their roles, with strict observance of ethical and deontological norms. Being honest in our profession must be a permanent and constant engagement. – Boureima Jérémie Sigue, Founder of “Le Pays” Publishing House, Burkina Faso

The non-written and non-spoken languages, the languages of tam-tam, the languages of masks, are divine expressions and divine forces from the unmeasurable depths of ages. A living, life-giving and animated word of the Ancestors and the Divine are thus heard and respected amidst the society. - Titinga Frederic Pacere, Advocate and expert on Burkina Faso cultures

Among all the means of peaceful settlement of disputes and wars, mediation constitutes without any doubt the most promising and most frequently used means. In fact, Mediation is considered efficient and less expensive in settling conflicts. Therefore mediation enjoys for several years growing success worldwide, especially throughout Africa. - Vincent Zakane, Doctor in rights, professor at the University of Ouagadougou

Brazil received between 3 to 4 million African slaves, that is 37 per cent of slaves transported to the Americas. Today Brazil is the second “black” nation after Nigeria. 45 per cent of the Brazilian population is of Afro-Brazilian origin. – Paulo Lima, Journalist and editor, Sao Paulo, Brazil

African women are seen as the mirror of how the international media present Africa as marginalised and as victims of discrimination and violence in everyday life. Women are more often silent; others speak for them on various levels and this inability to speak for themselves seems to coincide with their economic, political and cultural subordination. – Eugénie E. AW-Ndiyae, Centre of Studies of Sciences and Techniques of Information (CESTI), Senegal

Inter-religious Dialogue presumes true knowledge and appreciation of one’s own religion and that of the other. One task of dialogue is the removal of prejudices and a wrong perception of the religion of the other. The partners in dialogue need to accept and respect each other as each person is endowed with human dignity. – Varghese Paul SJ, Writer and journalist based at Ahmedabad, India

EduCom

For the first time, an International Edu-Communication workshop was organised together with the congress. Its participants appreciated the organisers for being so open to new ideas and new realities on the media landscape. The congress also took a resolution to promote EduCommunication as it can give recognition to the voiceless and engage young people as responsible citizens. EduCommunication consists of improving communication and educative activities, increasing the capacity of expression of social and media subjects, developing the critical spirit of citizens, promoting democratic government and active participation of all, using the resources of information and communication from its potentials, democratising information and communication, and validating the process of teaching and apprenticeship.

Resolutions

The congress delegates made recommendations and adopted resolutions requesting the organisation of workshops and formation sessions on relevant themes on national and regional levels in co-operation with all partners; to promote EduCommunication as it can give a voice to the voiceless and engage young people as responsible citizens; to support leaders to work for peace and justice through listening and dialogue; to support the Catholic agency of information based in Nairobi; to support positive initiatives by States, institutions and personalities in order to achieve the millennium goals signed by the United Nations in the year 2000; and to give testimony to the practice of the journalistic profession by being honest and rejecting all forms of corruption.

Visit to Orphanage

A congress delegation visited an orphanage in the city of Ouagadougou together with Archbishop Caludio Maria Celli, President of the Pontifical Council for Social Communications. The delegation presented the proceeds of a collection from the congress participants to the Sister-directress of the orphanage. Archbishop Celli spoke at the ceremony, mentioning the Asian reality of people giving offerings to Buddhist monks. The president of the National Organising Committee said that this visit was particular to this congress in Africa. The gathering was told that those who give are not more important than who receive. Peoples in Asia make offerings to Buddhist monks and not because the giver is more important than the receiver but because of all that is represented and conveyed by a Buddhist monk.

Exposure

The congress gave one of the most interesting cultural exposures to Africa as the participants were greeted by the Emperor of Mosse Mogho Naba and were taken to the villages of Laongo, Manega, and Ramongo and the city of Koudougou. They were received by hundreds of people in the villages, political and traditional leaders, traditional and folk musicians, dancers, storytellers and animators.

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Le immagini e gli echi di UCIP Congresso in Burkina Faso
Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso, 12-19 settembre 2010

Per le centinaia di partecipanti e organizzatori, il Congresso Mondiale è stata una delle più belle conferenza nella storia dell' UCIP e persino un modello per le future conferenze. Si deve ricordare che questa edizione è stata la prima a svolgersi nel continente africano.

Alcune cifre

Oltre 1000 partecipanti da tutti i continenti erano presenti a vari incontri e attività. Tra di loro c'erano 455 giornalisti professionisti provenienti da 48 paesi e cinque continenti. Oltre 600 i partecipanti tra i leader politici, diplomatici, religiosi, professori, editori, avvocati. Tra di loro più di 400 giovani. Degna di nota la presenza di oltre 200 folkloristi, musicisti, animatori e ballerini che hanno fatto scoprire alcune delle ricche culture del Burkina Faso.
Più di 250 organizzatori, volontari e personale di sicurezza, 32 organi di stampa e media nazionali e internazionali per gli eventi dal vivo.

L'importanza del Congresso

Il congresso è stato occasione eccezionale per conoscenze, formazione, turismo. Questo evento ha dimostrato che il Congresso UCIP non attira solo i giornalisti ma anche gli interessati al tema della conferenza: "I media al servizio della giustizia, della pace e il buon governo in un mondo di disuguaglianza e povertà". Il Congresso è stato riconosciuto come un evento veramente globale e di interesse pubblico generale.

International Awards: Premio Internazionale per i Media attirato molti giornalisti e molti di loro provenivano da varie parti del mondo. Dei 43 uomini e donne che hanno ricevuto una menzione d'onore premio, 26 erano presenti, mentre gli altri erano rappresentati delle istituzioni, case editrici o colleghi.

La Conferenza dei Vescovi dell' Olanda ha offerto la borsa di studio che accompagna il Premio Titus Brandsma. (Tito Brandsma è stato un giornalista coraggioso ed esemplare) Il rappresentante dei vescovi d'Olanda ha dichiarato: "In passato, Tito Brandsma ha combattuto contro i pericoli del nazismo in Germania e altrove. Egli ha fortemente osteggiato in riviste e conferenze le azioni razziste del regime di Hitler. Dopo che Hitler aveva invaso l'Olanda e aveva occupato il paese, Titus Brandsma ha mantenuto la sua resistenza alle azioni anti-democratiche e razziste degli occupanti. Tutte queste attività sono cessate dopo che fu arrestato nel 1942 e terminò la sua vita nel campo di concentramento di Dachau, dove è stato esempio e guida per molti dei suoi compagni di prigionia. Sottoposto anche ad esperimenti medici, morì nel corso dello stesso anno, il 1942. Il Premio Titus Brandsma è stato conferito al professor Andres Canizalez, giornalista e insegnante a Caracas, in Venezuela.

Il Simposio delle Conferenze Episcopali di Africa e Madagascar ha assegnato una medaglia d'oro al giornale del Burkina Faso "Il Paalga Observer" e al suo fondatore e direttore Edouard Ouedraogo. Il giornalista Stephen Rweikiza di Dar Es Salsam, in Tanzania, ha dichiarato: "Sappiamo che i supporti di stampa in Africa e in tutto il mondo hanno sperimentato l'oppressione e la dittatura: i loro giornalisti e i loro editori sono stati arrestati, detenuti e persino uccisi semplicemente per aver difeso la causa della libertà di stampa così grande e la dignità della persona umana. Mentre Il Paalga Observer ha rifiutato di essere manipolato da tali piani, siamo lieti che oggi il governo del Burkina Faso riconosca il contributo di questo lavoro per il benessere del suo popolo e dell'umanità .