The assumption of the Presidency of the EU Council by Cyprus in the second half of 2012 is a challenge, which will enable the country, on the one hand, to show that it is a responsible and equal member state of the EU and, on the other, a member state that has the capabilities to contribute actively in the European integration process.

Cyprus will be called to contribute to the successful management of the economic crisis and the implementation of EU decisions to create a tighter frame of fiscal policy. The Presidency will also negotiate the new Multiannual Financial Framework, the six legislative proposals on Economic Governance, Europe 2020 and legislative proposals pertaining to the financial sector and the deepening of the Single Market, thus becoming key factors in determining its success.

Amid this economic framework, the European Journalism Centre and the European Commission’s DG Economic and Financial Affairs are putting together the seminar "Covering the Economic Priorities of the Cyprus Presidency", due to take place 30 May-1st June in Brussels.

Specifically aimed at Cypriot journalists covering economic issues, this 3-day programme will enable the participants to meet and discuss with EU high-ranking officials, policy makers and experts from Brussels-based think tanks.

For more information, contact Desiree Ketabchi on ketabchi@ejc.net.

Under the theme "The EU and freedom of expression and media", the European Journalism Centre organises a seminar for 15 journalists in London on 31 May - 1 June 2012 on behalf of the Directorate General Enlargement of the European Commission.

This seminar aims to take a close look at diverse aspects of the freedom of expression and media, with emphasis on the link between the freedom of speech and the EU accession process. In addition, the
programme will provide an opportunity to visit a London-based international media house, meet and network with local journalists.

The event is open for journalists from national print, broadcast and online media from the following countries: Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, FYROM, Kosovo, Montenegro, Serbia, Turkey.

The organisers cover the travel arrangements, accommodation and meals for the duration of the programme.

The participants are expected to arrive in London on 30 May, and depart back on 2 June 2012.

Two decades after the Rio Earth summit - the first UN conference to address issues relating to development and the environment together - world leaders, heads of state, activists and NGOs will head to Brazil next month for the Rio+20 conference on sustainable development.

Rio+20 is billed as providing a historic opportunity to define pathways to a safer, more equitable, cleaner, greener and more prosperous world for all. But which paths should we be heading down, and which ones should we be avoiding?

In the run-up to the summit, which will be held from 20 to 22 June, the European Journalism Centre will organise a special briefing tailored for media which will answer the above-mentioned and other questions.

A thorough programme which will foresee meetings with the Commissioner for Development Andris Piebalgs, the Commissioner for Environment Janez Potocnik as well as EU experts and different stakeholders who will attend the summit and negotiate the seven priority areas:  decent jobs, energy, sustainable cities, food security and sustainable agriculture, water, oceans and disaster readiness – covering the commonly held pillars of sustainable development.

The briefing will take place at the European Parliament and the European Commission, with inter alia speakers from the two institutions.

The programme will also include visits (in smaller groups) to the AudioVisual Services at the EP and EC, as well as reporting time for the journalists.

The single market celebrates its 20th anniversary in 2012. Over the last 20 years, the internal market of the EU has contributed to creating jobs and making Europe increasingly competitive. However, challenges to deliver social progress and growth are still prevailing in the aftermath of the financial and economic crisis.

A two-day tailor made seminar on the 20th anniversary of the single market will be organized for 30 EU journalists between 13-14 June in Copenhagen. One Croatian journalists will also be selected to attend the seminar.

Attending journalists will have the opportunity to take part in the European Inventor Award 2012. Michel Barnier, European Commissioner for the Internal Market and Services, is expected to attend the event as well.

Journalists from national broadcast, print and online media from the EU-27 are invited to take part in the event. Travel dates include 12 and 15 June.

The seminar is organized by the European Journalism Centre, on behalf of the European Commission. The organizers cover flights, accommodation and meals during the programme.

The political bargaining over the new multiannual EU budget for 2014-2020 has already started. But there is never a deal without a battle.

Especially in net contributors countries, such as the Netherlands, France, Germany or the United Kingdom it becomes very difficult to explain all the complexity of the EU budget.

Why should the EU spend the money e.g. for the poor regions? What impact the crisis will have on the EU spending?

If you are interested in these topics, this seminar is tailored for you. The European Journalism Centre together with the DG REGIO and the DG COMMUNICATION will invite 30 journalists to Brussels to participate on the discussion about these questions on 14th June.

The journalists will have the possibility to visit the projects supported by the EU in Brussels. They will also attend the ceremony of the RegioStar Awards 2012 and meet the finalists and the winners. This award should appoint the most innovative projects which have received investment from EU Cohesion Policy. The Commissioner for Regional Policy Johannes Hahn will also attend the event.

The organisers will cover the flights, accommodation and some meals. National and regional media from the EU 27 are invited to apply on www.ejcseminars.eu

A two-day tailor made seminar for journalists from Croatia, FYROM, Montenegro, Serbia and Turkey will be organized in Vienna, Austria, between 25-26 June 2012.

Under the theme: “EU policies in action” the seminar will delve into the situation of waste management and renewable energy sectors. The programme will provide an opportunity to meet representatives from local and national authorities, as well as visit several sustainable projects in these two fields.

For this seminar 12 journalists from national print, online and broadcast media from the above mentioned five countries will be selected to take part.

This event is organized by the European Journalism Centre on behalf of the Directorate General Enlargement, European Commission.

The organizers will cover flights, accommodation and meals during the days of the programme.

The participants are expected to arrive on 24 June and depart back on 27 June 2012.

Cutting budgets has been Germany’s main therapy to fight the debt crisis in Europe. And yet recent elections in France and Greece have delivered sharp refusal to those strictly advocating for hardship and austerity.

Europeans are now to contemplate a new political scenario in which tough spending rules are to be countered by measures to stimulate economic growth.
But the balance is proving complex.

With Mrs Merkel insisting that the fiscal pact endorsed by 25 European Union states is “not negotiable”, will the victory for Mr Hollande ultimately help Europe to take another direction?

Amid this political-economic framework and, coinciding with the forthcoming European Council meeting on 28-29 June, the European Journalism Centre, in coordination with the European Commission’s DG Economic and Financial Affairs, is to invite 18 journalists from the Euro-area for a 3-day seminar.

The programme will be joined by senior EU officials, policy makers and experts from leading NGO’s and think-tanks.

Travel, accommodation and most meals are to be covered by the organisers.

To apply for this seminar, please contact Clara Maxwell at maxwell@ejc.net.

It has been already 20 years since the Single market was launched under the leadership of Jacques Delors. Twenty years that brought a lot of good news for businesses and consumers, such as cutting mobile phone prices or costs of airline tickets…

In Brussels the Single market is considered as one of the main achievements of the European integration process that should be further strengthened and accomplished to combat the crisis.

The European Commission is preparing a publication that will focus on the main milestones and changes related to the Single market in the past 20 years; benefits for citizens, companies and macro-economic benefits as well as key trends such as enlargement, the euro and the “e-revolution”.

30 journalists are invited to participate in the launch of the publication, to meet the Commissioner for Internal Market and Services Michel Barnier and other interesting speakers for discussions about the challenges for the future, the Single Market Act, but also the threats to the Single market policies.

This seminar will be organised for journalists from the EU 27 and Croatia by the European Journalism Centre together with DG Internal Market and Services. It will take place in Brussels on 29 June. The organisers will cover travel expenses, accommodation and some meals. If you are interested, apply as soon as possible on www.ejcseminars.eu.

For more information, contact Desiree Ketabchi on ketabchi@ejc.net.

N.B. Applications must be done through this online form

The European Journalism Centre (EJC), in conjunction with the Korea Press Foundation (KPF), invites you to apply for this years KPF/EJC fellowship programme that will take place between 20th August and 1st September 2012.

Aiming to promote a better understanding of Korea, this 2-week programme, held in South Korea, will feature a series of seminars led by specialists. Featured themes of the study trip will include: EU-Korea relations, development and challenges for the EU-Korea Free Trade Agreement (FTA), green growth policy and security on the Korean peninsula.

The more formal aspect of the trip will be complemented by an extensive three-day tour of different social and cultural highlights.

The KPF will cover flight expenses of up to €500 (costs over and above this amount will have to be paid by the individual) as well as accommodation and local transport in Korea.

Applicants must be EU citizens, have at least five years experience as a full-time professional journalist working for an EU media outlet as well as a comprehensive level of spoken and written English; the lingua franca for the trip.

The fellowship programme is open to journalists and editors from written and online media, news agencies and broadcasting companies. Freelance journalists may also apply.

To apply for the KPF/EJC fellowship programme, please complete the application form found at: https://ejcnet.wufoo.eu/forms/kpfejc-fellowship-programme-2012/ and include all of the necessary documents by Sunday 27th May at 00.00 CET. Submissions received after this time will not be taken into consideration.

6 European journalists will be selected on the basis of the motivation and concrete ideas for reporting provided at the time of application.

Contact EJC Operations Manager Cara Moore for further details.

A specialized training module for V4 TV/radio journalists developed by EJC. The training will take place in in Nairobi (Kenya). The core activity will concern the challenges and techniques involved in covering development issues, using world news organizations as a model. The course will combine briefings and practical exercises with assigning tasks directly in the field which will provide the participants with an immediate opportunity to test their abilities to perform quality development reporting utilizing experienced local cameramen. At the same time interaction with local journalists/speakers will be facilitated throughout the workshop. An opportunity to share experience and best practices with peers from V4 and developing countries will represent an added value when journalists return.

The training will target senior foreign reporters from major V4 media houses, focusing mainly on TV and radio journalists. Altogether 12 V4 journalists will participate in the 5-days long module. The participating journalists will be motivated to produce development reports which should be afterwards broadcasted in their respective media.