Casa Mediterráneo hosts the General Assembly of the AMAN
The Mediterranean News Agency Alliance (AMAN) chooses the institution with its headquarters in Alicante to hold its meeting, which took place on the dates of June 10-11
June 24, 2014
ALICANTE
The proposal was presented by Afonso Camões, President of the Portuguese News Agency, with the backing of Juan María Calvo, one of the people responsible for organizing the Assembly, and that of the majority of those participating. The new President of AMAN, José Antonio Vera, President of the EFE news agency, accepted the proposal and undertook to analyze it so that it could be debated in all of its terms at the upcoming Alliance meeting.
Responsibility in Journalism
The official opening event of the seminar was presided over by Almudena Muñoz, the General Director of Casa Mediterráneo, who highlighted the great importance held for society by the work of journalists and news agencies, because “they not only convey the reality of their own countries to us, and the changes in those societies, but they also play a direct role in societies themselves,” and she pointed out that “the information which you provide, and how your provide it, moves consciences and generates reactions in a world in which immediacy prevails and information is given in an instantaneous manner.”
Muñoz also assured that “journalists have one of the most important jobs in today’s societies. They are the owners of the reality which is perceived by the people.” In this sense, the General Director of Casa Mediterráneo expressed to the communication professionals that “many times prosperity, peace and even the people’s freedom depends upon them responsibly doing their work, because, those who are poorly informed lack the freedom of choice.” And she concluded that “we are united by a common destiny, which is called the Mediterranean. All events on one shore have effects on the inhabitants of the other shores. And we are all united by being convinced that shared, serious, responsible, ongoing work generates welfare and prosperity in our area.”
75th anniversary of EFE
For his part, in his speech the president of the agency EFE, José Antonio Vera, highlighted the great climate of consensus and understanding amongst the representatives of the agencies from the member countries after 23 years of existence of an initiative which “contributes to the co-existence amongst all of the countries in the Mediterranean, fulfilling the goal of performing the professional work of agencies and creating alliances in informational, social, educational and cultural fields. Moreover, it promotes dialogue as a foundation for understanding.”
The outgoing president of AMAN and president of the Palestinian news agency WAFA, Ali Hussein, wished to highlight the challenges faced by news agencies to inform about the latest events in the Middle East, and passed on the baton of his presidency to his Spanish colleague. As for the Alliance’s Secretary General, Cypriot George Penintaex, he made clear the role played by the EFE agency in the Mediterranean due to its international renown and its support for the smallest institutions.
Communication and diplomacy
The first discussion at the seminar, moderated by Pilar Valero, who is responsible for the International area at the EFE agency, included participation by Alberto Antón Cortés, Ambassador on the Special Mission for Digital Diplomacy, who stated that “the fact that this position was created demonstrates the commitment by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation in terms of communication, modernization and transparency,” and he explained that new technologies allow for greater participation by the people in the areas which are of interest to them, while strengthening public diplomacy which attempts to create contact for better mutual understanding of societies between different countries.
Ruth Pimentel, responsible for the Communication area at Casa Árabe, pointed out the need held by the press offices of institutions to work closely with the media in order “to be able to reach the greater public with their messages, thanks to the capacity for dissemination held by media such as television, radio, newspapers or digital media.”
Afonso Camões, president of the LUSA news agency, insisted on his proposal to create a common service amongst all of the agencies to promote and foment knowledge and influence in the Mediterranean region, whereas journalist Manuel Ostos explained how diplomats and journalists can cooperate when they are stationed in a foreign country.
During the later debate, with the interventions of most of those attending the seminar, various details were analyzed on the situation and the need to create a common service among all of the agencies in the Mediterranean.
Immigration and borders
The speeches by the panelists and the debate after the speeches during the second round table talk at the seminar reflected the cruel relevance of the phenomenon of irregular immigration. Francisco Alcaraz, responsible for projects at Casa Mediterráneo, committed to considering the positive aspects held by emigration for countries’ economies, while requesting the support of underdeveloped countries to create the conditions required to prevent desperation migration
In this chapter, Héctor Moreno, Chief-Commissioner of the National Immigration and Border Center, provided data on the current status of irregular immigration in the European Union, the paths of entry, the methods used and the behavior of mafias. In this sense, Moreno explained that human beings trafficking can be more lucrative than arms and drug trafficking, and he warned about the emigrants’ vulnerability.
The commissioner confirmed that the hottest flashpoint on the European Union’s border in terms of illegal immigration is now Italy, and he acknowledged “the lack of assistance by the remaining European partners from the North in terms of this problem, something which Spain suffered in the Canary Islands some time ago.”
As for the professor of the University of Alicante, Juan David Sempere, he wished to draw attention to the emigration which has occurred from Spain and other European countries as a result of the economic crisis, to countries such as Morocco, Algeria and Tunisia, while pointing out that “the specific figures are not known, because most of the time the people who reach these countries do not register with the Spanish consulates.”
The second day of the seminar was about innovation in the field of communication, with the participation of several experts. As for the closing event of the General Assembly of the Alliance of Mediterranean News Agencies, it included an awards ceremony and the handing over of the presidency of AMAN to the agency EFE.
Further information at the Casa Mediterráneo website
