The event, which is being organised by the 2M Groupe, a media conglomerate, seeks

to deconstruct the myths associated with migration which have largely been caused by the media’s inaccurate and biased treatment of migration issues. These media inaccuracies could have resulted in distortions of the migrant’s perceptions, stigmatization and rejection of the migrant. The challenge for journalists is to advocate for a fair treatment of migration issues, whatever their complexity. The workshop will be held on the 26^th and 27^th October, 2018.

The UN estimates that more than 258 million people live outside their native country, which represents 3.4% of the world's population. For political, economic or social reasons, nearly 66 million people in the world have left their region or country in 2016 alone. Among this population, there are 22.5 million refugees, half of whom are under 18 years old. The question of the media treatment of migration issues arises, from preconceived ideas, prejudices, regional biases, simplistic treatments and distortion of reality.

The organisers of the programme seek to:

• Mobilize African media to stimulate public debates around migration issues,
• Contribute to correct the image of migrants among public opinion, whether in Africa or in the rest of the world.
• Promote greater visibility of migration issues specific to women, whether in their country of origin or in their host country.
• Rely on " Les Panafricaines" network to consolidate respect for journalistic deontology rules and professional ethics in dealing with migration issues.
• Become a real force of proposition and to influence media organizations instrumental to effective and powerful information diffusion.
• Contribute to the capacity building of “Les Panafricaines” members wishing to develop expertise on migration issues, within the framework of a united and concerted approach

The meeting will feature prominent migration experts such as Larry Macaulay (Nigeria), founder and editor-in-chief of Refugee Radio Network in Hamburg, Germany, Rafaella Consentino (Italy), reporter for the TV channel. Driss El Yazami (Morocco), President of the National Council for Human Rights (CNDH), and Patrick Otim (Uganda), a specialist in migration and member of the organization" Refugee Law Project In Kampala. Samira Sitaïl, Deputy Managing Director in charge of information and magazines of 2M, will moderate the discussion.

Topics to be treated during workshop sessions of the event include:

 "Journalistic Treatment of Migration Issues"

 "Understanding the Complex Phenomenon of Wandering Minors

 "Women's Mobility: a New Migratory Dynamic"

 "Climate Migration and Food Security"

 "Intra-African Migration: a Chance for Development"

: "African Migration: the Importance of Reliable Data Availability" and

 "Structures and Organizational Model of Les Panafricaines Network"

It is hoped that the event’s rich and participatory program will lead to the adoption of a roadmap and action plan of the network for the coming year.

Source: BusinessGhana with information from ‘Les Panafricaines’ press release