ASEF Journalists Seminar

Overview

ASEF Journalists Seminar 

The ASEF Journalists Seminar (ASEFJS) is a training-oriented event bringing together young journalists below the age of 35 years from Asia and Europe. It is held every two years alternating between Asia and Europe. The programme is an integral part of ASEF’s responsibility for engaging promising media representatives from ASEM countries and giving them access to the ASEM process where possible. This project provides an opportunity for ASEF to broaden its outreach to journalists by providing them with a common thematic platform to interact on issues of interest to the media.  

The ASEFJS started out in 1998 as the ASEF Journalists Colloquium. It was one of the few regional forums where journalists could share their experience and perspective as media professionals from national and regional levels in a direct exchange with their regional counterparts.   In 2013, the ASEF Journalists Colloquium programme was merged with the Asia-Europe Journalists Seminar, which broadens the diversity of participants and enriches the existing Colloquium format. 

The ASEFJS is a 2-3 day-event comprising 3 modules of lectures and one case-studies session. It is conducted by a mix of experts from academics and practitioners. The final session is an invitation to participants to present a case study from their country or region. The deliberations from the seminar result in knowledge and resource products. Recommendations and findings from these seminars feed into the ASEM ministerial process. 

Through the ASEM process, the work and value of journalism are given a higher profile.  At the same time, the ASEM process receives a fuller appreciation by the media and through them the general public and other stakeholders. 

 ASEM Governments have expressed appreciation for these events: 

• At ASEMFMM13, ministers congratulated Myanmar for the “successful hosting of the 11th ASEF Journalists Seminar” in close collaboration with ASEF.  
• At ASEMFMM14, His Majesty King Felipe VI of Spain mentioned the 12th ASEF Journalists Seminar in his opening speech.   
• The ASEMFMM12 Chair’s statement listed the 10th ASEF Journalists Colloquium as a means to raising awareness of the ASEM process and as a contribution to the Foreign Ministers’ Meeting.  

 The ASEFJS also contributes towards United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDG), in particular SDG 16 which seeks to “promote peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, provide access to justice for all and build effective, accountable and inclusive institutions at all levels”. The objectives of ASEFJS meet Target 16.10: “Ensure public access to information and protect fundamental freedoms, in accordance with national legislation and international agreements”.  

Previous projects:

• ASEFJS12
• ASEFJQ10