OSCE Centre in Astana supports workshop on NGO co-operation with media, state

OSKEMEN, Kazakhstan, 23 October 2009 - A workshop organized by the OSCE Centre in Astana on enhancing non-governmental organizations' co-operation with the media and state institutions began today in Oskemen in eastern Kazakhstan.

The participants discussed the challenges hindering effective co-operation between these groups. It was noted that a lack of awareness of NGO work on the part of the media means that the public is generally poorly informed about their activities. At the same time, the dearth of effective tools and mechanisms for co-operation with state institutions deprives civil society organizations of important sources of information.

"Civil society has a key role in fostering stability, security and respect for human rights," said Ambassador Alexandre Keltchewsky, the Head of the OSCE Centre in Astana, in a message to participants. "Stronger relations with the media and local government will allow NGOs to more effectively gain public attention, identify ways to raise awareness on issues of public concern and increase the transparency and accountability of state institutions."

The two-day event, organized by the OSCE Centre in Astana and International Centre of Journalism "MediaNet", aimed to further support dialogue between civil society, media and the state, and follows similar events in Kzyl-Orda, Karaganda, Kostanai and Atyrau.