Engagement – North-East Journalists Workshop in Assam
01-12-2013
A day long workshop for working journalists was held on “Media, Conflict Reporting and International Humanitarian Law”, at the National Law University and Judicial Academy in Guwahati, Assam Organized jointly by the Centre for Advanced Research and Training in International Humanitarian Law in collaboration with the ICRC and Journalist Forum Assam (JFA), it was attended by more than 50 journalists from the North-eastern states of Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya and Nagaland.
Inaugural Session of the Journalist Training in Assam where Smt Renuka Devi Barkataki, Chairperson, IRCS Assam along with Mr BJ Mahanata, ADG are addressing the participating journalists.
© NLUJA
Among the eminent personalities who spoke at the inaugural function were Mr D. N. Chakraborty of Sankar Jyoti (daily) and Prag Jyotish (weekly) - who at 85 years was the oldest working journalist in India representing JFA - Ms Renuka Devi Barkataki, Chairperson of Indian Red Cross Society (Assam) and Mr B.J. Mahanata, Additional Director General of Police, Assam.
The workshop touched upon major issues pertaining to International Humanitarian Law (IHL) followed by practical session on conflict reporting and IHL. Aimed at providing vital information on the issue to the working journalists of the North East region, the workshop provided ample space for participating journalists to discuss and debate the topic with the speakers. Interestingly some of the journalists who participated in the workshop had come from remote rural areas negotiating difficult terrains.
Speaking during the workshop Mr D. N. Chakraborty said, “There is a tremendous need for more such practical guidance oriented workshops in this region, more so because of the limited exposure to such trainings.”
The concluding session of the workshop was followed by a question and answer session, which opened the floor for discussing some of the challenges in reporting from difficult places in the field. This workshop was in continuation of similar courses that ICRC has been conducting to train journalists for the past several years.
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ICRC New Delhi Chief Meets Bhutan Prime Minister
© Courtesy : Bhutan Observer
Ms Mary Werntz, Head of the Regional Delegation of ICRC for India, Bhutan and the Maldives met with the Honourable Mr Lyonchhen Tshering Tobgay, Prime Minister of Bhutan, at the Gyalyong Tshogkhang during her two day visit to Bhutan on 6th and 7th November 2013. The Head of Delegation was accompanied by Mr Charles Sabga, ICRC Regional Legal Advisor.
Ms Werntz discussed a wide range of issues with the Prime Minister, including the ICRC’s opportunities for collaboration with Bhutan in areas relating to health, disaster management and the promotion of IHL. During the visit, Ms Werntz also met with Mr Lyonpo Rinzin Dorje, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Bhutan and several other senior government officials.
During such meetings, the ICRC recognised the positive contribution of Bhutan towards the promotion and dissemination of IHL and the long-standing relationship between the ICRC and Bhutan.