Division for Freedom of Expression,
Democracy and Peace
A presentation by Mogens Schmidt
DADG for Communication & Information
Sector
Development
Dialogue
Freedom
of
Expression
Democracy
Freedom of Expression
FeX
contributes
to
DEVELOPMENT
• Unhindered access to
information and knowledge
is fundamental to all
aspects of life:
• Economic development,
• Social participation and
building democratic
societies
• Allows individuals and
communities to speak out,
express their aspirations
and concerns and
participate in the decisions
that are crucial to
development.
Freedom of Expression
contributes
to
Free and independent
media:
• Facilitates good
governance by fostering
good relations between
informed, critical, &
participatory citizens &
responsive elected
officials.
DEMOCRACY
• Strengthens civil
society, harnesses
political transparency &
accountability
FeX
Freedom of Expression
FeX
contributes
to
DIALOGUE
• Media has a great
potential to foster mutual
understanding,
peace and
reconciliation,
particularly in open
conflict and post-conflict
countries; pluralistic
media can reflect the
cultural and linguistic
diversity of people
UNESCO Contribution Towards
Freedom of Expression
•
•
•
•
4 Key Approaches
Advocacy & Awareness Raising and
Monitoring;
Media Law and Regulatory Framework;
Safety of Media Professionals;
Ethical and Professional Standards
Advocacy, Awareness-raising
and Monitoring
• World Press Freedom Day (global event and
national events)
• Awarding of the UNESCO Guillermo Cano World
Press Freedom Prize
• Press releases
• Networking—participation in workshops,
symposia, conferences
• Direct contact with member states
• Collaboration with professional organisations
and NGOs
Media Law and Regulatory
Framework
•
•
•
•
•
Media and press laws
Freedom of information laws
Defamation laws under civil code
PSB frameworks
Internet provision and telecommunications
laws and regulations
• Best practices sharing
Safety of Media Professionals
• Ensuring international law in the field (with
other UN agencies)
• Building capacity of media professionals,
army and police personnel, authorities
• Mapping and criticizing impunity (IPDC
Council related)
• Advocacy work, mainly with large
professional organizations and specialized
NGOs)
Ethical & Professional Standards
• Ethical and Professional Standards
• Media Accountability Systems
Peace
• The Power of Peace
Network (PPN)
• Engages Youth
around the world to
Promote Peacebuilding and
Dialogue through ICT
& Media
Peace
• Tremendous global interest in the concept
of PPN
• Over 1100 project ideas and proposals
received.
• Long term: Creating a network of networks
of peace builders able to tap into each
other’s resources at a national, regional or
global level.
Thank you