FIVE local journalists, including Jamaica Observer staff reporter Kimmo Matthews, have been awarded full sponsorship to participate in a training course in Brussels, Belgium this summer.
The course, organised by the Delegation of the European Union to Jamaica, is aimed at exposing media practitioners to the structure and operations of the EU and its institutions.
  Journalists selected to participate in a one-week training course in Brussels, Belgium pose for a photo opportunity during a dinner hosted by Head of the EU Delegation to Jamaica Ambassador Paola Amadei on Monday. The dinner was also attended by other specially invited guests. Seated (from left) are Cliff Hughes, Nationwide News; Ambassador Paola Amadei; Kaneal Gayle, CVM TV; and Jodi Brown-Lindo of the EU Delegation. Standing are (from left) Jorge Garzon, spouse of Ambassador Amadei; Alberto Menghini of the EU Delegation; Michael Gordon, chief judge of the ‘My Jamaica at 50 photo competition’; Daraine Luton, the Gleaner; Kimmo Matthews of the Jamaica Observer; and Damion Mitchell, Gleaner/Power 106. |
The other journalists are Kaneal Gayle, CVM TV; Cliff Hughes, Nationwide News Network; Daraine Luton, the Gleaner; and Damion Mitchell, Gleaner/Power 106.
The five, who are scheduled to leave the island on Saturday, will benefit from a one-week training course managed by the European Journalism Centre. The training will feature attendance at the EU Parliament, seminars on the key institutions and the operations of the council, as well as provide interview opportunities with principal EU figures.
Speaking at a dinner in honour of the participants, Head of Delegation for the European Union in Jamaica Ambassador Paola Amadei, said this is a propitious time for a journalist to be in Europe.
“We received applications from some of the brightest and most engaging minds in the media landscape. However, regrettably we could only offer five spaces. The aim is that the training will not only foster greater understanding of EU operations in Jamaica and the wider Caribbean, but also understanding of what, why and how we do what we do across the globe,” she said.
Amadei said she hoped the programme would become an annual one as the training of journalists was a continuation of several initiatives undertaken by the EU Delegation in celebration of Europe Day (May 9) and in recognition of the institution’s partnership with Jamaica as the country marks its 50th anniversary of Independence.
The other events included the ‘My Jamaica at 50 schools’ photo competition’, an exhibition day and the public showing of the Human Rights film, The Choir’.
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