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SPEAKERS

Arne König European Federation of Journalists – President – Sweden

Arne König has been working as a journalist for the print and broadcasting media since mid-70s. He has dedicated his professional life reporting on human rights and media issues. König is now a full-time unionist. He is the Vice-President of the Swedish Union of Journalists and the President of the European Federation of Journalists, the largest trade federation in Europe.

Roberto Natale Federazione Nazionale della Stampa Italiana – President – Italy Roberto Natale is the President of the Italian Federation of Journalists (FNSI) and author of the Charter of Rome, an anti-racism initiative in the media.

Sejal Parmar Article 19 – Senior Legal Officer – United Kingdom

Sejal Parmar is Senior Legal Officer at ARTICLE 19, the leading international human

rights non-governmental organisation on freedom of expression and the right to

information. Her recent and on-going work has focused on issues involving the

relationship between freedom of expression and equality, including issues concerning

incitement, “defamation of religions” and blasphemy laws. She has written and

presented numerous position papers, statements, analyses and amicus briefs, and

delivered oral statements and presentations at a range of national, regional and

intergovernmental fora, including the UN Human Rights Council. Sejal is also

currently Visiting Lecturer in International Human Rights Law at Queen Mary,

University of London and serves as a member of the Advisory Council of Advocates

for International Development (A4ID). Prior to coming to ARTICLE 19, Sejal was

Human Rights Coordinator at Doughty Street Chambers, an Emile Noël and Fulbright

post-doctoral fellow at NYU Law School and a Marie Curie fellow at the Amsterdam

Centre for International Law. She was awarded her LLB (honours) from the London

School of Economics and her PhD from the European University Institute in Florence

and has been called to the Bar of England and Wales.

BIOGRAPHY

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Annika Nyberg Frankenhaeuser Center for Legal Resources – Media Director – Switzerland

Annika Nyberg Frankenhaeuser was appointed as the first Media Director of the European Broadcaster Union in February 2012. Ms Nyberg Frankenhaeuser is currently leading the newly formed EBU Media Department, which consolidates the

activities of the Television and Radio Departments, as well as News Services. Throughout her career, Ms Nyberg Frankenhaeuser has been a journalist, an art teacher and an art critic. Among her numerous supplementary functions, she has also sat on the Finnish Red Cross Board for Youth Emergency Shelters and was the President of the World DAB Forum between 2002 and 2006. She has lived in Tanzania and Egypt, and travelled extensively during the 1980s and 1990s as a

reporter for YLE.

Villy Dall Danish Union of Journalists – Chair of the media and communications Policies

Sub-Committee of the National Executive – Denmark

Villy Dall, Hurup Thy, Denmark, is a member of the central executive board of the Danish Union of Journalists (DJ), and the chair of its sub-comittee on media and communication policies,

as well as the co-ordinator of the equal opportunities policies of the union. He was educated at the Danish School of Journalism in 1988 and worked as a journalist in Thisted for Nordjyske Medier. Currently, he is the President of the DJ District Northern Jutland, President of the Holidays Association and Foundation for Journalists. He is also a member of the board of the Unemployment Fund for Journalism, Communication, and Language Professionals (AJKS) and a member of the board of the Additional Training

Foundation for Journalists (PU)

Verica Rupar Cardiff University – Lecturer – United Kingdom

Verica Rupar is a lecturer at Cardiff School of Journalism, Media and

Cultural Studies. She has worked previously as a journalist in Serbia,

Slovenia and Hungary, and taught journalism at the University of

Belgrade (Serbia), Victoria University of Wellington (New Zealand)

and the University of Tasmania (Australia). She is currently working

on projects focusing on journalism practice in a comparative context.

Yannis Kotsifos Journalists’ Union of Macedonia and Thrace Daily Newspapers – Journalist/Director – Greece

Born in Thessaloniki, Greece, in 1969, he has studied Greek Literature. He lives and

works in the city and is the director general of the Journalists’ Union of Macedonia

and Thrace Daily Newspapers, a post he’s held since 2003. Having worked as a

journalist in both newspapers and radio, he has also edited numerous books and

collaborated with various magazines, either

as a contributing editor or as an editor-at- large,

or as both. He is presently the co-chair of the

EFJ’s Labor Rights Expert Group.

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Bettina Peters Global Forum for Media Development – Director – Belgium

Bettina Peters is the director of the Global Forum for Media Development (GFMD), a

membership network of some 400 media assistance organisations from around the

globe. At the GFMD Bettina leads the organisation’s activities and coordinates the

GFMD’s efforts to promote recognition of the key role media play in strengthening

democratic development. Before joining GFMD in July 2007, Bettina worked as the

director of programmes at the European Journalism Centre, where she was in charge

of EJC’s programme of media support and journalism training, in particular in the

European Union, Middle East/ North Africa and in Eastern Europe. From 1990 until

2002 Bettina worked at the International Federation of Journalists, where she set up

the IFJ’s Project Division. She was responsible for the IFJ’s global programme on

media development and capacity-building for journalists’ organisations, in particular

in Africa. She holds a Master’s Degree in political science and journalism from the

University of Hamburg and has edited a range of publications, including a global

survey of women in journalism for the IFJ, the EJC handbook on Civic Journalism and

the GFMD’s Media Matters. Other publications include “Future of Journalism and

Challenges for Media Development: Are We Exporting a Model that No Longer Works

At Home?” in 2010 and “Testing Standards and Strengthening Professionalism: An

Assessment of Ghana’s Media Landscape” in 2011. She is the reviewer for Western

Europe for Freedom House’s Index on Press Freedom in the World. Born in Hamburg,

Germany, Bettina now lives with her partner in Belgium.

Martine Simonis Association of professional Journalists in Belgium –Secretary General – Belgium

Martine Simonis is the General Secretary of the Belgian Union of Journalists (AGJPB)

and the Association of Professional Journalists (AJP) in Belgium. Trained as a lawyer,

she established the Belgian Copyright Society for Journalists in 1995. In the past

years, she had successfully negotiated numerous collective agreements to

compensate the violation of journalists’ authors’ rights.

Yuk Lan Wong European Federation of Journalists – Campaigns and projects Officer – Belgium

Yuk Lan Wong is the campaigns and projects officer of the International/European

Federation of Journalists. She joined the Federation since August 2009 after she

obtained her Joint Honours degree in Social Policy and Journalism, Films and Media

Studies at Cardiff University in the UK. During her studies, she also obtained work

experience at the United Nations Association in Wales, where she was the co-

ordinator of the Young Professional Network. She has been involved in various

European projects in promoting ethical journalism, media diversity and trade union

rights.

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Zdenko Cho Slovak Syndicat of Journalists – Vice-Chairman – Slovakia

Born 15.5. 1958 in Bratislava, Slovakia, Cho is the Vice Chairman of the Slovak

Syndicate of Journalists since 2010, responsible for international cooperation and

project management. He is the Project Manager of the EU cross-border cooperation

project with Austria while working also as the assistant professor at the Department

of Journalism, Faculty of Philosophy of the Comenius University in Bratislava and

Media Academy in Bratislava. In the period of 1997 – 2008, he was active in the

international development cooperation at USAID, later on (since 2003) at the

Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Slovak Republic as the Project Manager (2003 –

2007) and Managing Director of the Slovak Aid Program and development agency.

After graduated at the Comenius University in Bratislava, Faculty of Philosophy, Dept.

of Journalism (1981), he worked at the Slovak Television, Department of Current

Issues and Documentary Production as the reporter, anchor and director until 1991.

Milica Pesic Media Diversity Institute – Executive Director – United Kingdom Milica Pesic is the Executive Director of the Media Diversity Institute (MDI), a

London-based international organisation specialized in encouraging responsible

media coverage of diversity. Ms Pesic has designed and supervised multinational

media diversity development programmes in Europe, the former Soviet states, the

MENA region, Southern Asia, Sub-Saharan & West Africa and the Caribbean. A

journalist by profession she has reported for the BBC, Radio Free Europe, the Times

HES, TV Serbia and other media. She holds an MA in International Journalism from

City University, London. Prior to working for MDI, Milica worked for the Centre for

War, Peace and the News Media (New York University), the International Federation

of Journalists (Brussels), and the Alternative Information Network (Paris). She

teaches at the University of Westminster’s MA in Media and Diversity and is

occasional lecturer at City University (UK). She has also taught at Toronto, Concordia

and Carleton Universities (Canada); Michigan and St. Lawrence Universities (USA).

She is a Media and Diversity Expert for the Council of Europe and has provided media

training for the UN, Council of Europe, UNICEF, OSI, EBDR, Internews, Freedom

Forum and the IFJ. She is regularly interviewed by the BBC, CNN and Al Jazeera on

the political and social issues in South East Europe.

Michaël Privot European Network Against Racism – Director – Belgium Michael started as Networking and Campaigns Officer in the ENAR team in January

2006. Previously, he worked during four years as FNRS Research Fellow at the

University of Liège (Belgium). He also has several years’ experience in community

building of Muslim communities in Belgium and Europe, as well as consultancy on

related issues. He holds a BA in Oriental History and Philology (Islamology), a

specialisation in Comparative History of Religions and Arabic (Damas), and a PhD in

Languages and Litterature from the University of Liège (Belgium). Michael became

ENAR's Director in March 2010.

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Reynald Blion Council of Europe – MARS Programme Manager – France

Since September 2008, Reynald Blion is Media & Diversity Manager for the Directorate General Democracy, previously Education, Culture and Heritage, Youth and Sport. Until December 2010, he has been responsible for the implementation of the Media & Diversity part of the Speak out against discrimination Campaign of the Council of Europe. Within the same Directorate General, he joined the Directorate Democratic Governance, Culture and Diversity and its Division Cultural Policy,

Diversity and Intercultural Dialogue to manage the European Union / Council of Europe joint programme MARS – Media Against Racism in Sport; programme he conceived and developed on the basis of previous actions of the Council of Europe in these fields. More globally, in his division, he contributes to facilitate and develop Council of Europe’s actions in the field of Media, Diversity & Intercultural Dialogue in Europe ; issues on which he specialised for more than fifteen years.

Stephen Pearse European Federation of Journalists – General Secretary – Belgium

Stephen Pearse is the General Secretary of the European Federation of Journalists

and Deputy General Secretary of the International Federation of Journalists. Stephen

has been a member of the National Union of Journalists for the UK and Ireland (NUJ)

since 2005, and was a full-time official for the union from 2007-2010. During that

time he was responsible for managing the union’s campaigns and communications

work, including the Stand Up for Journalism campaign in defence of well resourced,

quality journalism. His time at the NUJ also included work on a number of

international projects, including detailed work looking at building the capacity of the

NUJ’s sister union in Zimbabwe. Stephen has undertaken a wide range of editorial

roles throughout his career, including reporting and feature writing for trade union

magazines and news editor of the NUJ website. As well as undertaking editorial work

in the British trade union movement, Stephen’s career has also included experience

of working closely with the European institutions, including time working within the

European Parliament.

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PARTICIPANTS

Linus Atarah Union of Journalists in Finland – Freelance Journalist – Finland

Atarah graduated in Mass Communication and Sociology from Tampere

University in the 1990s. After his study, he worked as a journalist both in

Finland and in Ghana. He began his career with Inter Press Service (IPS),

where he works as stringer on a freelance basis. His journalistic work has been

crowned with two awards. In 1996 he won a Journalist of the Year Award in

photography in Ghana. In 2010 he won the European Union’s Journalist Award

on its Campaign on Combating Poverty and Social Exclusion. He has also been

active in Union of Journalists in Finland, being a founding member of

Reilumedia, which is aimed at given fair treatment of immigrants in the Finnish

media. Apart from journalism he has also worked in the civil society sector as

international trade advocacy and campaigner due to his strong interest in

development and social justice issues.

Francisco Audije Vega International Federation of Journalists FSC-CCOO – Adviser of the Executive Committee of the IFJ Delegate FSC-CCOO –Spain He has been a journalist for 35 years. He worked for the Spanish national public

channel TVE since 1984 for 24 years as a foreign correspondent in France, the

Balkans (mainly Kosovo and Albania), Northern Ireland, Maghreb (mainly

Algeria) and India. He is also a representative and member of the Spanish

union FSC-CCOO (Periodistas de CCOO) and former Deputy Secretary General

of the IFJ (2008-2010). He is currently a member of the IFJ Executive

Committee.

Electra Babouri Equality and Diversity Forum – Coordinator – United Kingdom

Electra Babouri is the Coordinator of the Equality and Diversity Forum (EDF), a

UK network of national organisations committed to progress on age, disability,

gender and gender identity, race, religion or belief, sexual orientation and

broader equality and human rights issues. Electra has an MA from University

College London on Human Rights and Indigenous Cultural Rights. In addition

she has carried out research on the effectiveness of International Law with

regards to safeguarding Indigenous Rights and conducted fieldwork in New

Zealand and Australia. Prior to joining EDF Electra worked for Action for

Children. She is a member of the Steering Group of EREN – the English Regions

Equality and Human Rights Network. In a private capacity Electra provides

research for Minority Rights Group International, an organization that supports

minority and indigenous people as they strive to maintain their rights.

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Karen Bro Ekstra Bladet –Editor-in-chief– Denmark

Karen Bro is a graduate of Danish School of Journalism.

After graduation, in 1988, she started working for

Dagbladet Roskilde as a crime reporter and TV Odense as

a news reporter. Later on she was sub editor of B.T.

(1989-1995) and chief sub editor for cultural news of

Ekstra Bladet (1995-1996). She has been the chief sub

editor of domestic news at Berlingske Tidende. In the

period of 2007 - 2011, she was news editor and senior editor. She was recently

appointed as the chief editor of Ekstra Bladet.

Olga Bogdanska European Federation of Journalists – Project Assistant – Belgium

Olga was born in 1988 in Poland. She is the Project Assistant of the

International/European Federation of Journalists. She is studying international

relations (Master’s Degree) and journalism and social communication

(Bachelor’s Degree) at the University of Lodz. She participated in one-year

studies at the Ghent University in Belgium. During her studies she has

developed an interest in Commonwealth culture and international mass media.

Currently, she is enrolled in a Master’s Project on the “libel tourism” in the

context of media’s freedom of expression. She worked as a trainee in the

editorial office of “Gazeta Wyborcza” in Łódź. She took part in numerous

national conferences in the field of Commonwealth studies. Her latest

publication was about Eroticism in Indian culture. Privately: she adores

travelling.

Christos Christofides Union of Cyprus Journalist –Member of the Executive Committee – Cyprus

He is a member of a graduate of the Cyprus Media Complaints Commission

since 2007. As a committed trade unionist and activist, Christos has been

actively involved in the union boards in all places he worked, as

well as in a number of NGOs and citizen groups, including bi-

communal groups. From 1988 to 1991 he took part as

volunteer sub-editor in publishing and writing for the weekly

political newspaper “Embros”, dealing mostly with international

issues. He participated in numerous courses and trainings

regarding journalism, journalistic ethics, migration, asylum,

discrimination and so on.

Łukasz Czarnecki-Pacyński Polish Journalists’ Association – Journalist – Poland

He is a journalist, a scriptwriter and an advertising

copywriter. He worked for different types of media

organisations including in television, radio and

newspapers. Among them are the Polish Television,

Radio RMF, 'The Weekly New York' and 'the Courier

the Plus' in New York, and several internet press

portals.

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Ilke Özgür Davulcu Havadis Newspaper/ Basin-Sen – Journalist – Cyprus

He worked for ORTAM Newspaper (2002-2005) and in the graphic design section of the KIBRIS Newspaper (2005-2007). Since 2009

he has been working as editor-in-Chief in HAVADİS Newspaper. He is member of the board at Basin-Sen (2011-2012).

Oda Gilleberg Cardiff University – MA Student – United Kingdom

Oda Gilleberg is studying International Journalism at Cardiff University. Her MA dissertation focuses on Norwegian journalists’ role perception when reporting on immigration and ethnicity. She has previously worked with the International Organization for Migration in Zambia, and Forum for Women and Development in Norway. She holds a BA in Sociology from the University of Oslo, Norway.

Maria Delithanassi Athens Press Agency – Journalist – Greece

She has worked as a journalist for 25 years. Since 1990 she worked as a

freelance journalist in several radio stations, magazines and newspapers

including the National News Agency. She regularly report on human rights,

immigration, refugees and related social issues for the last 10 years. In 2005,

she was selected to represent Greece in the EU Journalist Award for Workplace

Diversity and in 2009 she received an award from Greek Association for the

Rights of Women.

Lukas Diko TV Markiza, Slovakia – Editor-in-chief– Slovakia

Lukas Diko is editor-in-chief of the most popular TV News in

Slovakia, TV Markiza, the co-author of Code of Ethics for

journalists in Slovakia as well as a visiting lecturer at the

Department of Journalism, Comenius University. He worked

as a reporter for SME Daily, News reporter and anchor for

Radio TWIST, TV TA3. He was also Slovak service

correspondent for BBC World Service as a (2005 –2006). He is a graduate with

a MA degree in Journalism at Comenius University, Faculty of Arts, Bratislava.

He participated in number of courses including: Markiza Leadership University

(Development of managerial and leadership skills), BBC Broadcasting

journalism course and Investigative journalism in an Anti-corruption effort.

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Dardo Gómez Ruiz-Díaz Unions of Journalists Federation –Secretary General – Spain

Skilled journalist in documentary management and digital printing. Executive director of the official newspaper of the Olympic games Barcelona ’92. Professor of Institutional Publications in the postgraduate courses of Business Communication and New Technicians of Communication of Companies in the IDEC, Pompeu Fabra University (UPF), and Social and Business Communication

of Business Studies School of the Barcelona University (UB). Ex-president of the Catalonia Journalists Union (SPC). General secretary Spain Federation of Journalists Unions (FeSP). FeSP representative in front the Forum of Spain Organisations of Journalists (FOP) and the International and European Federation of Journalists (IFJ/EFJ).

Kay Hampton Scottish Human Rights Commission – Professor in Communities and Race

Relations, Commissioner and Freelance Consultant – United Kingdom

She is Professor of Communities and Race Relations and holds a PhD in Sociology. She has held senior positions at Glasgow Caledonian University, The University of Durban-Westville, SA and the Strategic Planning Department at Durban City Council, SA. As an applied research specialist, Kay has spent most of her time actively applying her academic knowledge in practical contexts, shaping policies and strategies in government, public and voluntary sectors.

More recently she was Chair/Deputy Chair and Scotland Commissioner of the Commission for Racial Equality, Scottish Chair and UK Board member of the BIG Lottery Fund, Commissioner of the Equality and Human Rights Commission, UK and Trustee of several Scottish Voluntary organisations. She is currently Commissioner of the Scottish Human Rights Commission, Member of Scottish Children’s Hearings system, Trustee of the Scottish Association for Mental

Health, Public Appointments Assessor, Commission for Ethical Standards and

Public Appointments, Adjudicating panel member, General Teaching Council for Scotland, Lay Member, Council of the Law Society and a member of its Regulatory Committee and an Ambassador for BTCV, a UK environmental charity. Being a strong advocate for ethical governance practice, she is actively involved in regulatory and human rights work. She works as a freelance social researcher and trainer, specialising in ethical governance; risk management

and regulation, strategic planning; equality, diversity and human rights and social justice. She is a fellow of The Higher Education Academy and the RSA

Ana Raić-Knežević Croatian Journalists’ Association – Journalist – Croatia

I started my career as a journalist in Zagreb office

of daily "Slobodna Dalmacija" in winter of 1992. But,

after the paper was privatized a group of journalist

decided to go away. It was clear that with the new

owner situation in "Slobodna Dalmacija", and it's

meaning in public would not be the same. Trying to

collect as much experience as possible I also worked at "Croatian radio" - "II.

program". I was assisting in daily broadcast, but also had my own contact show

- about books. After two years I had to decide which job to keep because I

could not work at two places at the same time. I continued my career in daily

"Novi list", as a correspondent from Zagreb. I was writing about internal and

military affairs, and also covered justice matters. I'm doing that still today.

I have university diploma in journalism, and soon I'l have postrgaduation

certificate in national security. I'm vicepresident of Croatian journalistic society,

and was a member of it's ethical council for four years. Also, I'm for second

time elected president of crime and court reporters.

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Sigurður Már Jónsson Icelandic Journalist Union – Journalist, Vice president – Iceland

I have worked as a journalist since 1985 in print, radio and television. I was Editor-in-chief at the largest local business publication that offers a deep focus on trade and economic issues. Today I work as a freelance journalist and a consultant. For many years I have been on the board of

directors of the Icelandic Union of Journalists and currently serve as its vice-president.

Ali Kurtoglu Basin-Sen – Education and External Relation Officer – Cyprus

Ali Kurtoglu is a Member of the Basın-Sen Trade Union/IFJ member executive

committee as responsible for Education and Foreign Relations (2008-2012). He

is a graduate of London Electronics College, Department of Electronics and

Communication Engineering. He worked actively in the establishment of the

İhlas News Agency-an affliation of TGRT Television Channel and as a producer

for private Turkish TV Channel TGRT (1990-1993). He was a founding member

of first private Turkish Cypriot Radio-FIRST FM and affliate TV Station Genç TV.

He is a producer for news department of State run-Bayrak Radio

Television Corporation (BRTK). He created first news portal for BRTK. Currently

he is responsible for live coverage at Electronic News Gathering Department.

Joachim Kreibich DJU IN VERDI –Editor – Germany

Born in 1958, Joachim Kreibich is an editor for the

Reutlinger General-Anzeiger (daily newspaper) and chair

of the works council. He is a member of various boards

and working groups of of Bundesvorstand dju in Verdi.

Andrej Matijasevic Trade Union of Croatian Journalists –Journalist – Croatia

Born in 1977, Zagreb, Croatia. He is a journalist and reporter in Croatian News

Agency – Hina, the biggest and only national news agency in Croatia. Hina

publishing 400 texts with over 150,000 words in Croatian and English language

twenty four hours a day. About 500 users in the Croatia and the world are

receiving Hina's news items daily. I’m writing articles, features and short news,

as a specialist for legal issues, NGO-s, media, and politics. Beside this I have

occasional editor’s obligations in Hina’s world news service. He is also a

member of the executive committee of the Trade Union of Croatian Journalists.

He was a journalist in daily “Vjesnik” and author in a few Croatian and foreign

magazines and websites. He graduated from University of Zagreb with a BA in

Journalism and Political Science. He has attended different seminars and

workshops about investigative journalism, system of justice, ethics and political

reporting.

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Farid Littleproud Media Diversity Institute –Project Manager – United Kingdom

Farid Littleproud has a BA in War Studies from King’s

College London, and specialized in the relationship

between the media and conflict. He has worked as a

Project Manager with the Media Diversity Institute (MDI) since June 2006. Mr

Littleproud is a qualified project manager (Prince II Practitioner Certified) and

has extensive project management experience in various fields and regions.

Luis Menendez Spanish Federation of Associations of Journalists –Journalist – Spain

He is the president of the Journalists Association of Santiago de Compostela

(APSC) and member of Executive Committee of Spanish Federations of

Journalists (FAPE) and representative for Exterior Relations. He worked as

journalist at the magazines “Ciudadano” and “Posible” (in 1976), correspondent

at the daily newspaper “El País” (1977), correspondent at the agency “Europa

Press” (1978), journalist al the daily newspaper “La Region” (1979-81), radio

talk host at Radio-SER Ourense, editor at the daily newspaper “El Ideal Gallego”

(in 1982), radio talk host at central station of Radio-SER in Galicia (1982-85),

radio talk host at Radio Nacional de España in Galicia. Moreover, he is Chief

Editor, Head of Section, Coordinator Reports and Director of Programs on

Television de Galicia Channel (TVG).

Attila Mong Atlatszo.hu/Mertek Media Monitor –Journalist, Media Policy Expert – Hungary

In 2011-2012 he was editor at origo.hu, the biggest Hungarian newssite.

Previously he worked for the Hungarian Public Radio as host of the daily 3-hour

morning show. On December 21st, 2010 he protested against the controversial

media law by holding one minute of silence in his live program. Subsequently

he was suspended from his post for four months before leaving the radio

definitively. Previously he was editor-in-chief of Manager Magazin, a Spiegel-

owned business monthly (2005-2007), and also worked for various broadcast

and print outlets in Hungary. He was senior editor at Figyelo, business weekly

(1999-2004), co-founder of Figyelonet.hu, a business portal (2000-2001),

editor-reporter at Hungarian Public Radio (1995-98) and Hungarian Public TV

(1997-2000). Founder and editor of the first marketing communication

newsletter (1993-2000), editor of Kreativ magazine, (1994-2001).

Author of a prize-winning book on one of Hungary's greatest banking scandals,

and beholder of various investigative journalism prizes (Pulitzer Memorial Prize

2004, Göbölyös József prize 2003), Marshall Memorial Fellow of the German

Marshall Fund (2008). He is also working on a new investigative book (planned

for 2012) on the history of the Hungarian debt between 1956 and 1990. For

this project he recieved grants from the Open Society Institute and the Hoover

Institution. In fall 2011 he was visiting research fellow at Hoover.

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Peter Padev Union of Bulgarian Journalists –Reporter – Bulgaria

Currently he is working as an editor of “International Information” department

at “Zemya (Land)” and in parallel as an editor for the website of the Union of

the Bulgarian Journalists sbj-bg.eu. Prior to his work at Zemya, he was the

editor of the daily newspaper of the left-wing party BSP “Duma (Word)”. He

previously worked for numerous national newspapers as a freelance journalist,

including “Anteni” weekly newspaper, “Rabotnichesko Delo (Wordkers’ Affair)”,

“Otechestven Front (Fatherland Front)” and “Nasha Rodina (Our Motherland).

He was also a Head of Division of Bulgaria Newspaper Group with headquarters

in Essen, Germany (1997 – 1999). In the period of 2000 –2002, he was editor

of “International Information” department at

Pamela Morinière European Federation of Journalists –Programme Officer for Author’s Rights, Gender and Projects – Belgium Pamela Morinière is the Authors’ Rights, Gender and Project officer of the

European/international Federation of Journalists. She holds Masters’ degrees in

Intellectual property law (DEA) and commercial law (L.L.M.) and a diploma in

journalism. Prior to joining the IFJ in 2002 she did an internship in the

copyright unit of DG internal market of the European commission and worked in

an ICT consultancy. Pamela also worked in 2006-2007 for the Media

entertainment and Arts Alliance, the Australian union of journalists, in Sydney.

At the IFJ she has run various campaigns to support the authors’ rights system

across Europe and is also heavily involved in the IFJ campaign for Ethical

journalism.

Birutė Sabatauskaitė Lithuanian Centre For Human Rights – Lawyer – Lithuania

I have graduated Mykolas Romeris university and obtained Master in

International Law (MA) in 2007. Since 2002 I have been working as a trainer in

non-formal human rights education, mostly on topics such as migration, anti-

discrimination, anti-racism, gender equality, intersectionality, LGBTQ issues.

I have been working as an assistant to the Auditor General (2006-2008).

I worked in the International children and youth NGO - International Falcon

Movement (IFM-SEI) (2008-2009). Lectured in Mykolas Romeris university

Constitutional Law (2009-2011). Currently, I am voluntarily coordinating a

project called "Help me to fit in: first steps in school". It's a sort of coaching

project - using individual and group work to prevent the early school drop-outs

in the Roma community and at the same time challenge societal norms and

prejudices about the community. The project is run by Lithuanian Young Falcon

Union. I work as a lawyer and advocacy officer in Lithuanian Centre for Human

Rights - writing different shadow reports, strategic litigation, organising

advocacy campaigns and a human rights film festival "Ad Hoc: Inconvenient

Films".

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Igiaba Scego Incontri di Civilta – Writer– Italy

Born in Rome of Somali parents, Igiaba Scego is

a journalist and writer. She received her PhD in

Pedagogy from the University of Rome “Roma

Tre,” with a dissertation on migration literature. A

very active intellectual in Italy, she has published articles on issues of racism,

human rights, and multiculturalism in journals such as Internazionale,

L'Espresso, l'Unità, Repubblica cronaca di Roma nd e-journals such

as Carta, Alma blog; She has published several short stories (“Salsicce” was

awarded the Eks & Tra prize for migrant writers in 2003) and novels, La

nomade che amava Alfred Hitchcock (2003), Rhoda (2004), Oltre

Babilonia (2008) and a memoir, La mia casa è dove sono ( 2011. The novel was

awarded the Mondello prize for italian literature in 2011)

Daniela Sala Associazione 21 Luglio –Journalist – Italy

I am 25 years old. I live in Rome and I work as a journalist for the website

fainotizia.it, producing video and articles and helping in the selection of

collaborators proposal. I do also collaborate as a press officer with Associazione

21 luglio (www.21luglio.com), an association for the defense of Roma children

rights. I took a degree a in Modern Literature in Milan and then moved to Turin

to study Journalism for two years, then after an internship in Rome I decided to

move again. I love traveling and get in touch with foreign cultures. I my very

passionate of photography. My professional dream is to improve my skills as a

reporter and as a video journalist, especially in the field of foreign affairs and

enquiries.

Renate Schroeder European federation of Journalists –Co-Director – Belgium

Renate Schroeder is the Co-Director of the European Federation of Journalists.

The EFJ is the regional organisation of the International Federation of

Journalists which is the largest organisation of journalists in the world

representing over 600. 000 staff and freelance professional journalists from all

media including photojournalists and cartoonists. She is in charge of European

affairs: relations with EU Institutions and Council of Europe (lobbying and

projects); presentation of EFJ at European and national meetings and seminars.

She is also responsible for the coordination of activities of EFJ members and EFJ

Steering Committee on professional and social issues including quality,

freelances, and photojournalism. Renate Schroeder studied International

Relations and Political Science at Boston University (Bachelor’s Degree in 1988)

and in Berlin at the Free University (Masters in 1992). She worked at the United

Nations, New York, the research institute FAST in Berlin and the Friedrich-Ebert

Foundation in Brussels before she joined the IFJ team in Brussels in 1993

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Lillian Simonsen Journalist, Denmark

Blogger on internet portal MODKRAFT.dk, since March 2011 topic: The Kurdish

question Press and information officer Mesopotamia Broadcast A / S, since 1

March 2011 Education: Flexible diploma from the Danish School of Media and

Journalism (DMJX), 2009 Books published: "The artist, Kurd and Love."

My life took a turn of consciousness when I first lived in poverty, oppression

and freedom fighting up close. Together with my then Danish-Kurdish man, we

visited his family in South of Kurdistan, Iraq in 2003, the same year as Saddam

fell. I wrote a book about my experiences and my husband's life as a political

refugee and as an artist in Denmark: “The artist, Kurd and Love”. It was the

beginning of my long and continued relationship with Kurds, Kurdistan, freedom

struggle, freedom and fundamental human rights. My engine to continue to

work for Kurds freedom and right to identity is simply the feeling of injustice. I

am outraged at the lack of similarity, the persecution, harassment, assaults and

killings of Kurds. And I will not stand rulers manipulation and violation of all

human reason and rights. I have worked voluntarily for a few years in the NGO

Kurdish Forum and Kurdish Danish Centre for Human Rights. Previously I have

worked with art and cultural journalistic and performer.’

Szilvia Suri Origo.hu/ RSK (Roma Press Center) – Journalist – Hungary

Born in 1982, Szilvia Suri is the main editor of RSK- Roma Press Center and

reporter of Origo.hu. In addition, she works as a reporter for Magyar Rádió

MR1- Hungarian State Radio. In the period of 2007-2008, she was a member of

Oktatási Minisztérium - Educational Ministry’s integration department. She

attended to the Madách Grammar School in Budapest and then she continued

her education at School of Marketing and Advertising Management. She is a

graduate of University of Szeged, Faculty of Masscommunication, Major Public

Relations, Electronic Journalism with final year project: Romas in the Hungarian

state television (MTV). She studies at University of Eötvös Loránt and

Communication Highschool, Vallekilde in Denmark. In 2010 she was awarded

the Szegő Díj- Award for young journalists in social field.

Despina Syrri Symbiosis/Department of Balkan, Slavic and Oriental Studies –President, Researcher –Greece

Despina Syrri has been Visiting Fellow at the

Amsterdam Centre for Holocaust and Genocide

Studies, Director of Research and International

Cooperation at the Immigration Policy Institute in Greece, and has worked with

the Reuters News Agency, Athens News Agency, the South East Europe

Research Centre, the Berlin Migration Netzwerk, the British Council, the

Refugee Studies Centre and the EastWest Institute on issues of post-conflict

development, migration, refugees, borders and the Western Balkans integration

to the European Union. She taught Political Science and Political Anthropology

at the American College of Thessaloniki, worked for 1988 to today with

International Organisations (Council of Europe, Stability Pact for South East

Europe) and NGOs in Southern Africa, East Europe and South East Europe, as

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well as in election observation and human rights missions with the Organisation

for Security and Cooperation in Europe, published journal articles and book

chapters in Greek, South Slavic and English, authored research papers and

documentaries. During 2010-2011 she coordinated the Migration and

Intercultural Education in Thessaloniki project, is currently involved in research

on detention centres at the Greek-Turkish border and the treatment of third

country nations at Europe's periphery with ELIAMEP and the EU Fundamental

Rights Agency, and is directing the civil society organisation Symβiosis which

promotes information and education, debate, freedom of expression and active

civic participation so that people and communities voice their needs and ideas.

Predrag Tolpa Journalist Union of Serbia – Editor – Serbia

Born on 17.11.1948. graduated on the Faculty of

Law, Belgrade University. From 1976 employed

in Tanjug News Agency. Worked in almost all

sectors of Tanjug. Was an foreign correspondent

from Teheran, Bangkok and Beijing. Was an editor in chief of Tanjug world

servis and foreign desk, and after that deputy editor in chief of Tanjug.

Currently works as commentator for Asia, and is a Member of the Executive

board of Journalists Union of Serbia.

Rachid Toub CCIF – Co-founder of Confluences and IT Consultant – France

Rachid is the co-founder of Confluences, a web based marketing &

communication agency. His expertise is mostly focused on e-reputation and

social networks, covering the web in search for new trends and tools to help

develop communication strategies. Rachid was in charge of media/web watch

with Netintelligenz, where he was mainly responsible for crisis communication

strategies and viral/buzz marketing campaigns. In charge of strategic surveys

for Senioractu, within the Trends & Business development department, he

developed a series of campaigns focused on baby boomers and senior citizens.

In addition to this, Rachid also participated, within Google Corp., in a study to

assess the search engine's efficiency.Rachid has been involved with a number

of local NGOs since 2000. Starting with Emergence, he organized a number of

conferences on social justice, racism and discriminations. In 2008, he animated

a discussion on the way French suburbs are presented in the media. Since

2011, he joined the CCIF (Collective Against Islamophobia in France) and

Foulexpress (a think tank on society issues), where he advises Marwan

Muhammad on communication and media planning.

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Arkadijus Vinokuras Lithuanian Journalist Union –Journalist, Columnist, Political Observer–

Lithuania

Journalist since 1976. He was working for

Sweden's news agency TT (freelance), Swedish

Radio, Dagens Nyheter, Svenska dagbladet,

Expressen (freelance). Ha was also working for

the Lithuanian NRTV foreign correspondent for 14 years. He is a columnist -

political observer. Currently, he is working for the Lithuania's largest daily - IT

edition lrytas.lt (freelance). He is a member of the Lithuanian Journalist union.

Writer and actor.

Charlot Zahra Institute of Maltese Journalists (IGM) –Deputy Secretary General, Malta A graduate from the University of Malta (UOM)'s

Communications programme in 2000 – Bachelor in Communications (Honours) – he has worked as a journalist with various media organisations in Malta since October 1999. He joined the IGM's Executive Committee in January 2003, working for five years as Education and Information Secretary. He immediately spearheaded the IGM's campaign to join the IFJ when in November 2003, the IGM was accepted as an

associate member of the IFJ and a full member of the EFJ. In that post, he coordinated the dissemination of information both to the IGM members as well as with the media at large. In January 2008, he was appointed Deputy Secretary-General of the IGM, where he has been handling the international aspect of the Institute, among other things.