Ukrainian journalists – participants in the international professional protection program entitled Journalists-in-Residence Kosovo at the invitation of the leadership of the Association of Journalists of Kosovo (AJK) in Pristina on November 23 met with representatives of the Federal Foreign Office and the European Center for Press and Media Freedom (ECPMF).
The main speakers at this event, Adham Hamed (Federal Foreign Office) and Andreas Lamm (ECPMF), asked journalists about the conditions of their work within the specified program, possible problems in the organization of remote professional activities, creative plans, etc.
Xhemajl Rexha, the head of AJK, in his introductory speech noted, in particular, that the international program of assistance to Ukrainian journalists, which will continue next year, has shown its usefulness. Its participants have the opportunity to actively work in the information field, which is the main goal of the project. Ukrainians Lyudmila Makei, Maryna Zhyvotkova, Dariya Meshcheriakova, and Serhii Shevchenko noted about the achievements of media workers, and about exciting and promising developments. The participants in the meeting thanked the foreign partners of the NUJU for their comprehensive support and care.
Andreas Lamm, deputy general director of the ECPMF (aka art director), who is responsible for project development, organizational tasks, personnel issues, etc., in a conversation with the editor-in-chief of the Force News site Olena Solodovnikova, took with interest her initiative in expanding the thematic content of the Internet edition during the war. As a representative of the ECPMF management team, as well as a scientist, experienced photographer, videographer and website designer, the German specialist spoke on professional topics with several participants in the Journalists-in-Residence Kosovo program, among them with the leadership of the Journalist Initiative.
Serhii Shevchenko, as a publicist writer / public figure (Secretary of the NUJU) and a professional journalist, emphasized at the meeting that the most important thing in the media protection program is the ability to work remotely, to report the truth about the events currently taking place in Ukraine. He informed that in partnership with the NUJU, the Journalistic Initiative fund takes an active part in attracting foreign financial aid to Ukrainian journalists.
“During the war, such help was provided by our partners from Japan. Thanks to this, the creative union and the foundation financially support journalists and their families in Ukraine (which is many dozens of people). In addition, the union is currently financing the first editions of Ukrainian newspapers in the de-occupied territories, in particular, in such regions as Kharkiv, Donetsk, Mykolayiv and others. UAH 200,000 from Japanese aid have been allocated for holding in Ukraine the creative competition of the NUJU entitled Informational Advancement 2022. According to its results, many Ukrainian pen masters and volunteer journalists will be encouraged for their professional and charitable activities,” said the secretary of the NUJU.
Ukrainians expressed their sincere gratitude to those involved in the implementation of the international program Journalists-in-Residence Kosovo to European organizations, partners of journalist associations, the governments of Kosovo, Germany, and other countries for supporting Ukraine during the war.
On the instructions of NUJU President Sergiy Tomilenko, the secretary of the creative union handed out certificates of honor awarded to the European Center for Press and Media Freedom, the Association of Journalists of Kosovo, as well as personal awards to Flutura Kusari and Xhemajl Rexha.
“Your help is very important for all of us in this difficult time. We are sure that we will win together. And our cooperation will be just as effective in the future. We have already reported on the awards in the press, and now we are able to actually present the awards delivered from Ukraine. At the moment, this is actually the highest award of the NUJU,” the secretary of the NUJU summed up the solemn part of the meeting.
Liudmyla Meh
Photo by Serhii Shevchenko
