Intercultural Exchange: Journalism Without Borders

July 28, 2020
© 2020. Photo by Peace Dialogue NGO. Author: Marianna Khazhakyan
© 2020. PHOTO BY PEACE DIALOGUE NGO. AUTHOR: MARIANNA KHAZHAKYAN

From 21-24 July 2020, Peace Dialogue NGO in collaboration with its partners Une Terre Culturelle Association and German-French Youth Office implemented an intercultural exchange project entitled Journalism without Borders which was aimed at introducing young people from Armenia, France and Germany to the history of journalism and promoting their active participation in community life through capacity building with the help of democratic tools.

The participants were involved in the activities of the three-day workshop in two parallel formats: working separately in national teams and working jointly within the international team consisting of the representatives of the three countries via online tools.

During the exchange project, with the support of media trainer Mane Papyan, the young participants gained knowledge about the development history of journalism, discussed various issues existing in the digital world, such as fake news and propaganda. They also prepared photo and video materials and did a number of practical exercises as a future journalist. Afterwards, the national teams presented each other the work they have done and exchanged their materials and ideas.

Project participants had also an opportunity to get acquainted with the cultures and cuisine of the three countries, learn new phrases in foreign languages through language animation and get-to-know-each-other games, as well as talk about their hobbies and various interesting facts about themselves and their surroundings.

At the end of the workshop, as a tangible symbol of their acquaintance, the participants made postcards, which were sent to their foreign friends by post.