Youth Forum on Refugees and Migrants in the New Media in SEE and CE

Published by emaj

Deadline (extended): 12 March 2017
Open to: students, young researchers and activists with an interest in social sciences, coming from Czech Republic, Hungary and Slovakia
Venue: 30 March – 1 April 2017, Skopje, Macedonia

About the Youth Forum

The Youth Forum “Refugees and Migrants in the New Media in South-East Europe and Central Europe” aims to discover how the new media in these regions have been reflecting on the migrant and/or refugee crisis and to what extent they contributed to the promotion of diversity. The project is being implemented by Mladiinfo International, together with its project partners, and it has been generously supported by CEI Cooperation Fund and Visegrad fund.

The Youth forum is the follow-up event within the project You(th) Challenging Diversity: Representation of Minorities in the New Media, aiming to foster European citizenship and improve conditions for civic and democratic participation at Union level. This event will tackle yet again the issues of minorities and new media, but mostly in the context of the ongoing migrant and/ or refugee crisis.

The participating countries were strongly affected by the escalating waves of migrants and/ or refugees and these occurrences inevitably shaped media attention. The media as opinion-makers often constructed the image of migrants and/ or refugees through the process of “otherisation”, making a clear distinction between “us” and “them”. However, as a space for open and equal access, they should play a vital role in promoting diversity, tolerance, social affirmation and change.

That being the case, it is essential to keep track of promoting active citizenship, participation and appreciation of differences, instead of creating the so-called “culture of fear” or “fear of the unknown”, based on negative approach towards all minorities, especially towards migrants and/ or refugees. It remains questionable, however, whether the new media will follow the pattern of traditional media, or will indeed contribute to an increased societal cohesion and set forth better professional standards.

All the participants at the conference will join interactive workshops where the topic will be further discussed.

Eligibility

Young students, researchers, journalists and activists coming from Czech Republic, Hungary and Slovakia are welcomed to apply. There is no age limit, however, applicants aged 18-35 will have the advantage to be selected

Costs

  • The travel costs are going to be reimbursed, after the selected participants, in communication with Mladiinfo’s staff, have arranged their travel to Macedonia, choosing the most affordable, but also most convenient means of transport;
  • Accommodation, breakfast, lunch and coffee breaks will be also covered by the organisers. Please note that the accommodation will be in a youth friendly venue, located close to the city centre of Skopje;
  • No conference fee is foreseen and the participation at the event is free of charge.

How to apply?

Participants can apply by submitting:

  • CV (recommendable in Europass format) containing the education, job experience (if applicable) and social activities of the candidate;
  • Brief motivation letter (max. 1 page) describing how they will contribute and what are their expectations from the Conference;
  • The documents should arrive at: recruitments@mladiinfo.eu, no later than 12 March 2017.

If you have any questions, do not hesitate to contact the Mladiinfo’s team available at: recruitments@mladiinfo.eu 

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