SADC journalists challenged
Deputy industrialisation, trade and SME development permanent secretary, Dr Michael Himavindu, has challenged journalists to engage national leaders and learn more about issues such as regional integration and trade.
“I wonder if the message is understood, packaged correctly and if it reaches the intended audience,” he told 20 journalists from Namibia, Swaziland and South Africa, who attended a media sensitisation workshop at the Safari Court Hotel in Windhoek on Sunday.
He also questioned whether the media exerts enough pressure to ensure SADC objectives are met and urged media houses to look at the way they cover SADC-related issues.
“The media is a vital link between member states and the community and this link appears to be missing. It also appears as if the message is not being shared adequately.
“The SADC summit for example is being perceived as a gathering by heads of states and governments. The media therefore has an obligation to understand and inform about SADC programmes, the regional agenda and focus,” Himavindu said.
The workshop preceded the third annual SADC industrialisation week (SIW) being hosted this year by Namibia from 30 July to 1 August.
Zambian business leader and writer, specialising in communication strategies and economics, Chibamba Kanyama, presented a session on reporting national economies.
He encouraged journalists to practise effective reporting by looking at specific things and unpacking information for effective communication.
In alignment with the SADC industrialisation strategy and action plan, this year's SIW is themed 'Promoting infrastructure and youth empowerment for sustainable development'.
The event also serves as an annual public-private engagement platform, aimed at fostering new opportunities for intra-African trade and investment in the region.
It is hosted as a precursor to the SADC heads of state and government summit that takes place in mid-August in Windhoek, with the outputs being reported to the meeting.
SIW 2018 also features keynote addresses by high-profile speakers on a wide range of themes and topics related to the industrialisation opportunities in SADC.
Panel discussions with industry experts and project owners, breakaway sessions on the energy (gas), agri-processing, mining and pharmaceutical sectors, exhibitions, factory site visits, training seminars for SMEs, as well as networking opportunities, form part of the proceedings.
There is also a three-day exhibition displaying African products, providing opportunities for cross-border collaborations and trading.
OTIS FINCK
“I wonder if the message is understood, packaged correctly and if it reaches the intended audience,” he told 20 journalists from Namibia, Swaziland and South Africa, who attended a media sensitisation workshop at the Safari Court Hotel in Windhoek on Sunday.
He also questioned whether the media exerts enough pressure to ensure SADC objectives are met and urged media houses to look at the way they cover SADC-related issues.
“The media is a vital link between member states and the community and this link appears to be missing. It also appears as if the message is not being shared adequately.
“The SADC summit for example is being perceived as a gathering by heads of states and governments. The media therefore has an obligation to understand and inform about SADC programmes, the regional agenda and focus,” Himavindu said.
The workshop preceded the third annual SADC industrialisation week (SIW) being hosted this year by Namibia from 30 July to 1 August.
Zambian business leader and writer, specialising in communication strategies and economics, Chibamba Kanyama, presented a session on reporting national economies.
He encouraged journalists to practise effective reporting by looking at specific things and unpacking information for effective communication.
In alignment with the SADC industrialisation strategy and action plan, this year's SIW is themed 'Promoting infrastructure and youth empowerment for sustainable development'.
The event also serves as an annual public-private engagement platform, aimed at fostering new opportunities for intra-African trade and investment in the region.
It is hosted as a precursor to the SADC heads of state and government summit that takes place in mid-August in Windhoek, with the outputs being reported to the meeting.
SIW 2018 also features keynote addresses by high-profile speakers on a wide range of themes and topics related to the industrialisation opportunities in SADC.
Panel discussions with industry experts and project owners, breakaway sessions on the energy (gas), agri-processing, mining and pharmaceutical sectors, exhibitions, factory site visits, training seminars for SMEs, as well as networking opportunities, form part of the proceedings.
There is also a three-day exhibition displaying African products, providing opportunities for cross-border collaborations and trading.
OTIS FINCK
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