**We apologise for any cross-posting - The following is being forwarded exactly
as received**

To: IFEX Autolist (other news of interest)
From: Media Institute of Southern Africa (MISA), [email protected] [2]

MISA Communique (Conference Announcement)
July 4, 2003
The Development Agenda and the Media: A southern Africa perspective

Journalists, editors, media academics, researchers and development workers from
Africa will focus their attention on the role of the media in development, at a
conference to be held in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, from September 10 to 12, 2003.

The conference, with the title "The Development Agenda and the Media: A southern
Africa perspective - What role can the media play in advancing development
goals in southern Africa?", will be hosted by the Media Institute of Southern
Africa (MISA), a regional media freedom and freedom of expression organisation.

An important aspect of the conference is that the media will, for the first
time, consider how it can respond effectively to HIV-AIDS within its own
structures. Discussion topics will include strategies for greater participation
and interaction between the media and civil society in the realisation of
development goals and how the media can stimulate public involvement in the
development and monitoring of national poverty reduction plans.

CONFERENCE BACKGROUND

Southern Africa is currently experiencing a major food shortage with over 12
million citizens needing food aid. Southern Africa is also the region with the
highest number of people living with HIV-AIDS, currently estimated at over 15
million. "Where lack of food is greatest, HIV prevalence is alarmingly high. The
two emergencies are not mutually exclusive," said Marika Fahlen, Director of
Social Mobilisation and Information at the Joint United Nations Program on
HIV-AIDS (UNAIDS) in June 2002.

As a key organisation in civil society, media has the potential to mobilise
African people to support development initiatives and spur them on to take
ownership of their development agenda.

PARTICIPATION

A limited number of partial scholarships are available. Please contact Peter
Chilambwe at [email protected] [3] for an application form and further details on
accommodation and registration. A full programme will shortly be available
online at www.misa.org [4]

--------------------------
Information distributed by:
Zoe Titus
Regional Program Coordinator: Media Freedom Monitoring
Media Institute of Southern Africa (MISA)
21 Johann Albrecht Street
Private Bag 13386
Windhoek, Namibia
Tel. +264 61 232975, Fax. 248016
Cellular: 081 128 3919
e-mail: [email protected] [2]
web: http://www.misa.org [4]

**The information contained in this autolist item is the sole responsibility of
MISA**