A different perspective

Workshop on journalism and migration

 

Berlin 21-29 July Zahle 1-9 September Lyon 27 October-4 November

 

Deadline for applying: 8 May

 

Mashallah News is co-organising three journalism workshops on cultural diversity and social justice later this year. The topic is migration and refugees, and how to report on these issues in a better and more just and equitable way. The first part will be held in Berlin, Germany, the second in Lyon, France, and the third in Zahle, Lebanon.

If you work with journalism and are between 18 and 30 years old, you are welcome to apply. We are happy to see applicants who have some experience in journalism: either as a journalist, editor, photographer, blogger or media student, or someone working with refugees and migration, preferably in communication or documentation and with experience of being in touch with journalists.

If you live in Lebanon, apply through Mashallah News. Interested candidates from Germany and France, please apply through the German and French co-organisers, Bapob and Tabadol.

The workshops will

• Give participants a better understanding of today’s refugee and migration situation through looking at social, political, economical and cultural aspects
• Promote critical ways of thinking and self-reflection

• Encourage the development of an intercultural approach to reporting where journalists, regardless of media, acknowledge and reflect on their own roles

• Build a cross-border network of people in journalism to exchange knowledge and experiences

• Work collectively for a more just and equitable coverage of issues relating to migration and what roles migrants and refugees play in society.

The approach

The workshops are based on the concept of participatory education, where each participant becomes more aware of his or her role as an actor in society. As journalists, we are part of setting agendas and shaping ideas in society about refugees and migration. This workshop will provide opportunities to do self-reflective, critical, work and get to know our own parts in this. Together, we will work to find ways to do more diverse, locally connected and equitable journalism.

Each of the three workshops will put the participants at the centre, both in terms of content creation and knowledge production. We will share both personal and professional experiences, reflect and discuss, and learn from individuals and organisations working with refugees and migration in the three countries. There will be collaborative sessions on the political and social contexts of each country, exercises on how to choose journalistic angles and tell stories, and how to be thoughtful in the journalistic role. We use Arabic, German, French and English throughout the workshops, with translations between the languages.

This is the second round of these workshops; the first was held in 2017 and 2018 in Zahle, Berlin and Lyon. Find the website with all stories from the participants here.

Who can participate?

Anyone aged 18 to 30 years with an experience in journalism and media, or with working with refugees and migration, speaking Arabic, French or German.

How does it work?

The workshop series has three parts, and participants are expected to take part in all three workshops: first in Germany, then in France and finally in Lebanon. The project is participatory, meaning that participants take active part in the programme. There will be few lecture-style sessions or technical lessons; instead, the workshops will be based on self-reflective and participatory exercises, and learning from each other. There will also be content production during each workshop, with the chance for everyone to work on specific topics and personal objectives. This will done individually and in small groups, with mentorship and one-to-one sessions throughout the workshop. We will all share the everyday life together, meaning that we stay at the same accommodation, eat together and share the preparation of things like breakfast.

Dates and fees

Participants are expected to take part in all three sessions. The cost for all three sessions is 550$, with the option to pay a reduced fee of 350$. Half of it will be paid ahead of the first phase, the other half in one or two installments before the final two phases.

Phase 1 – Germany 21-29 July

Phase 2 – Lebanon 1-9 September

Phase 3 – France 24 October – 4 November

The fees include content and training, visa costs, flights and other transportation, food and accommodation.

If you are unable to cover the fee for the workshop, contact us and we will find a solution.

Information and registration

If you are interested in taking part, please fill in this questionnaire. Contact us on info@mashallahnews.com if you have further questions. Apply before 8 May.

Organisers

Bapob is a German youth exchange organisation focusing on intercultural and civic education. Bapob has organised international meetups and workshops since 1980, with the goal to encourage independent and critical thinking and intercultural learning.

Tabadol is a French association working to act against exclusion and discrimination. Through looking at identity formation and cross-border relationship building, Tabadol seeks to promote critical thinking and deconstruct biases and stereotypes.

Mashallah News is a collaborative online media platform covering the Arab world, Turkey and Iran, with an editorial base in Beirut and contributors living across the region. Since the start in 2010, the team has produced stories on culture, society and everyday life, published a book on Beirut, organised workshops and conferences and taken part in several cross-border media collaborations.