By Nasiru Deen
The Gambia Press Union (GPU)on Monday began a three-day training on Advocacy Strategies and Procedures, Communication Strategies, and Conflict and Crisis Management for five journalists’ associations affiliated to the Union.
Held at the GPU Secretariat from 23-25 May, 2022, the training is meant to give the affiliates a good understanding of the GPU’s policies related to advocacy, communication and conflict and crisis management approaches.
It is also meant for the affiliates to learn and adopt innovative and contemporary methods and approaches to advocacy, communication and conflict and crisis management for the achievement of their organization’s objectives.
Fifteen (15) participants from five affiliates of the GPU including the Young Journalists Association (YJAG), Women Journalists Association (WoJAG), National Agriculture Communicators (NAC), the Sports Journalists Association (SJAG), and the Network of Community Radios in the Gambia (NCRG) are taking part in the training.
In his opening statement, Jebel Ceesay, the Program Manager of the GPU, said that the training is part of a three-year project “Trade union and advocate – for members, media and democracy” that is being implemented by the GPU and its partner the Gambia Media Support (GAMES) with funding from the Civil Society in Development (CISU).
“One of the goals of the project to establish structures for editorial responsibility in media houses; and enhance advocacy for press freedom and freedom of expression, and as affiliates you have an important role to play in this,” he said.
“You can reach the grassroots level with your advocacy to achieve a free and vibrant media, as well as to achieve the overall goals of your respective organizations.”
Therese Gomez, Senior Programme Officer of the GPU, said that the Union can gain a lot by collaborating with its affiliates to carry out its advocacy activities for the betterment of the Gambian media.
As such, she said that it is essential that affiliates gain the requisite advocacy skills, and
“this training is aimed at achieving this.”
The training on advocacy was carried out by experienced civil society and human rights advocate, Madi Jobarteh, who introduced the participants to innovative methods and approaches to effective and sustainable advocacy.
The training also included a session in which advocacy strategies were developed for the respective affiliates.
The same group of participants will also be trained on Communications Strategies by John Charles Njie, the Chairperson of the Association of NGOs (TANGO) on Tuesday, May 24. This activity is meant to provide the affiliates with the requisite knowledge and skills on effective communication with their constituencies, employers, donors and the public.
They will also be trained on Conflict and Crisis Management on Wednesday, 25 May, 2022.
