Deutsche Welle Global Media Forum: A New Series of International Conferences in Bonn
February 28, 2008
Approximately 800 guests from around the world will be in Bonn for the Deutsche Welle Global Media Forum from June 2-4, 2008. The theme of this year’s conference will be the “Role of the Media in Peacebuilding and Conflict Prevention.”
“With this regularly-scheduled event we are bringing together the expertise of a globally-networked media organization to create a platform for intercultural exchange between the stakeholders in globalization,” says Erik Bettermann, Director General of DW. “The Deutsche Welle Global Media Forum is THE media conference in Germany with an international focus.”
Media representatives from around the world – including many of our partners – will have the opportunity to connect with decision makers from politics, culture, business, international development and science to develop interdisciplinary solutions for the many globalization challenges in which media plays a deciding role.
According to the head of Germany’s international broadcaster, these include peacebuilding, conflict prevention, governance and human rights, civil society and conveying values, education and development.
In addition, the Deutsche Welle Global Media Forum will contribute to solidifying Germany’s role as a driver of European culture in the world of globalization. The proceedings will be transmitted worldwide and in 30 languages on DW-TV, DW-RADIO and DW-WORLD.DE.
Bonn, a UN city, is “ideal for this ambitious event because of the city’s excellent infrastructure,” says Bettermann. The World Conference Center offers the perfect atmosphere and for three days will be transformed into a “think tank” for media professionals from around the world.
Among those who have confirmed their participation in the event include Frank-Walter Steinmeier, German Federal Minister for Foreign Affairs and his Slovenian colleague Dimitrij Rupel, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Slovenia and President-in-Office of the European Council. Shirin Ebadi, winner of the Nobel Peace Prize from Iran, will be the keynote speaker on the first day of the conference. Also coming to Bonn are Delphine Djirabé, lawyer and human rights activist from Chad, Claudia Anthony from UN Radio in Sierra Leone, Antoine Schwarz, Managing Director of Radio France Internationale and Dan Austin, Director of Voice of America.
Co-host of the Deutsche Welle Global Media Forum is the Foundation for International Dialogue of the Savings Bank in Bonn. The conference is also being supported by the Federal Foreign Office of Germany, the State Government of North Rhine-Westphalia and city of Bonn.
February 28, 2008