In Regional Workshop, United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs to Partner

 

with Media in Promoting Peace, Disarmament in Asia-Pacific, 20-21 January

 

NEW YORK, 18 January (Office for Disarmament Affairs) — The United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs, through its Regional Centre for Peace and Disarmament in Asia and the Pacific, and in cooperation with the China Arms Control and Disarmament Association, is organizing a regional workshop entitled “Strengthening the Capacity of the Media in Advocating and Promoting Peace and Disarmament in Asia and the Pacific”.  The workshop will take place in Beijing, China, on 20-21 January.

In recognizing the key role played by the media in raising the profile and public awareness of disarmament issues, and in shaping Governments’ policies and actions in this regard, the regional workshop aims to explore ways and means to strengthen both national and international media capacities in reporting on key disarmament and non-proliferation issues.  It also aims to enhance the partnership between the United Nations, Governments, civil society and the media in raising public awareness of and support for various disarmament and arms control initiatives, and to broaden the media’s knowledge in disarmament and non-proliferation matters.

The workshop will draw nearly 50 participants, many of whom are media professionals (television, newspapers, radio, etc.) from 11 Member States in East and South-East Asia, as well as experts on disarmament issues.  Sergio Duarte, United Nations High Representative for Disarmament Affairs, and senior officials from the Chinese Government will address the workshop.

The Beijing workshop is the first of a series of three such regional workshops for the Asia-Pacific region, and it is made possible through generous financial contributions from the Government of China.

For further information, please contact Taijiro Kimura, Director, United Nations Regional Centre for Peace and Disarmament in Asia and the Pacific, tel: +977 1 501 0257; fax: +977 1 501 0223; e-mail: info@unrcpd.org.np.

* *** *

For information media • not an official record