The Inter Region Economic Network (IREN) is offering you and journalists in Africa an opportunity to interrogate the role of the press in Africa. I invite you to join other journalists and media professionals as we reflect on how the media has handled resource driven conflicts in Africa.   

Panelists in this event that will be held at Panafric Hotel Nairobi on 11-14 March 2009  include Mr. Onyango Oketch a visual artist and a flaneur in the footsteps of Baudelaire, Walter Benjamin and Amos Tutuola;  Ms. Karen Rothmyer, a consulting editor for the Nairobi Star and Mr.   Chaacha  Mwita, Training Director, Media Focus on Africa Foundation (MFAF), and former  Group Managing Editor of the Standard Group Limited.

Others include: Mr. James Shikwati Director IREN,  a writer and a commentator on public policy with a special interest in development, environment, trade and agriculture related issues; Ernesto Yeboah, a journalist in Ghana  and author of  ‘Zimbabwe Crisis: What Should African Journalists Do?; Dr. Robert Mudida, a lecturer at the Institute of Diplomacy and International studies of the University of Nairobi; Dr. George Lugalambi, head of the Mass Communication Department at Makerere University in Kampala, Uganda and Moses Masibo,  Chief Superintendent Geologist, Kenya.

The climax of the event is a two hour  debate on ‘Does the Press serve Africa’s Interests?’ to be Co- chaired by Kwamchetsi Makokha  a consultant with the  ‘Form & Content Consultancy’ on 13^th March 2009  4.00pm- 6.00pm at Panafric Hotel, Nairobi.

To register see

 http://www.irenkenya.com/modules/events/index.php?event_title_id=41

or contact  

Anne Mugoya
IREN Events Manager
Tel: +254202731497
Fax: +254202723258
Email: http://www.irenkenya.com:2095/horde/imp/message.php?index=26896