DCMF Launches Second Phase of Its 'Train the Trainers' Programme

Doha, March 17 (QNA) - The Doha Centre for Media Freedom (DCMF) has launched the second phase of its 'Train the Trainers' programme inaugurated last December as part of its comprehensive capacity-building strategy for media in the Arab world. The second phase includes two five-day training workshops, with the first starting on 17th March, and the second 24th March. Eighteen veteran journalists from various media outlets in eleven Arab countries will participate. DCMF Director General Jan Keulen asserts that "the 'Train the Trainers' workshop is of special importance due to its reliance on sharing of expertise & adoption of best professional practices." As such, Keulen adds, Train the Trainers is not a traditional capacity-building programme, but a framework for continuous thinking about means to improve the practice of journalism." Keulen adds, "the problem facing media outlets and media support organizations in the Arab region is the scarcity of qualified, Arabic-speaking media trainers." The centre, he notes, "is working to address this issue through its comprehensive 'Train the Trainers' project built on a careful selection of participants and rigorous training on expertise sharing." The workshops will cover the principles of media training, including training needs assessment, design & implementation of training programmes, as well as measuring the impact of these programmes. Delivering the workshop is Yasser Abdelaziz, an Egyptian writer and media expert. Previously, he served as a Regional Consultant for the BBC World Service Trust. Abdelaziz also conducted training and consulted for UNDP, the British Council,the Westminster Foundation for Democracy (WFD), Free Voice, the Egyptian Radio and Television Union (ERTU), Saba News Agency (SABA), and the Omani Ministry of Information & Council of State. Abdelaziz is a co-founder and spokesperson of "The Egyptian Initiative for Media Development". Moreover, he is a UNESCO consultant for a comprehensive project that seeks to improve Egyptian media, both public and private. DCMF is a non-profit organisation working for press freedom and quality of journalism in Qatar, the Arab region and the world. The centre successfully trained thirteen media trainers in its workshop held in December 2012 who are now delivering their own training workshops. The centre plans to organize its first specialized 'Train the Trainers' on the topic of Media Literacy, which is the focus of one of the centre's key activities. (QNA)