AMI, RECSA to Train Journalists on Coverage of Arms Proliferation in Africa

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The African Media Initiative (AMI) and the Regional Centre on Small Arms (RECSA) are collaborating to train and encourage journalists to cover the issue of weapons proliferation on the continent as well as the promotion of peace within the RECSA region and other parts of the world.

The two organizations signed a memorandum of understanding with the aim of addressing the problem of small arms and light weapons in the Great Lakes Region, the Horn of Africa and Bordering States.

AMI and RECSA have been in a partnership for five years and have pledged their cooperation to collaborate in RECSA member states for the purpose of peace building, conflict resolution, media capacity building, advocacy and public awareness.

AMI’s CEO Eric Chinje at the signing of the memorandum said that the two organizations would be launching a series of programs aimed at focusing media attention on the issue of weapons proliferation. According to Mr Chinje, “AMI is committed to building the media’s capacity to report on critical matters on the continent. Security and stability is crucial to development, and through this project, we intend to cultivate a network of well informed journalists who can adequately cover the issue of small arms and weapons proliferation.”

The two organizations have recognized conflicts as the bane of Africa as it continues to hinder the social and economic development of the continent, hence the partnership to raise awareness and proffer lasting solutions to the problem of conflict through the strengthening of the media’s capacity to report on issues of small arms and light weapons proliferation. The partnership is in line with AMI’s strategy, which aims to narrow the gap between media content and Africa’s development agenda.

To find out more about this project and to arrange interviews with African Media Initiative (AMI) officials, contact Justus Machio, Tel: +254700857024 or Email: jmachio@africanmediainitiative.org.