"This is the first of what will become an annual event," said Marcellin Hepie, UNHCR Resident Representative in Zimbabwe.
"This year marks our 60th anniversary and we hope to hold several events to celebrate this. We have also hoped and wanted to mix with the Media who write important articles about refugees in Zimbabwe and the region. We, as UNHCR, have always wanted to ensure that the journalists know how to report accurately abiout refugees."
Hepie said the main objectives of the workshop were to "sensitise the Media in Zimbabwe about The Government of Zimbabwe and the UNHCR's work with refugees".
"We believe that it is important that the Media is well informed about the rights and obligations of refugees and their situation in Zimbabwe," he said.
"The workshop is also an opportunity for Media practitioners to learn more about the refugee situation in Zimbabwe and in the world and for the UNHCR to establish good relationships with the Media in Zimbabwe".
At the end of the workshop the UNHCR and the Government of Zimbabwe held a joint Media briefing to allow the participants to prepare stories for publication in their newspapers, websites, radio as well as television stations.
ZBC TV Diplomatic Correspondent, Judith Makwanya and Chief Correspondent, Reuben Barwe, took time off from their "normally very busy" schedules of covering the Head of State and Government, President Robert Mugabe, to attend the UNHCR workshop.
It could not be readily established where President Mugabe currently is.
However, Vice President, Joyce Mujuru, despite the fact that she is still mourning the recent death of her husband, former Zimbabwe National Army (ZNA) Commander, General Solomon Mujuru, is currently Acting President of Zimbabwe.
"I hope the Senior journalists were not offended when we asked them to attend this workshop alongside their Junior counterparts," Hepie joked at the Media briefing marking the end of the workshop.
"This was a very short notice and we really appreciate that all you of you have taken time off and come to our workshop which we feel is very important."
Journalists came from the State and Independent Media organisations including the ZBC TV, The Herald, The Sunday Mail, The Standard, The Zimbabwean, Radio VOP, and various freelance practitioners.
After the workshop the Journalists received certificates and UNHCR T-Shirts.
"We now need to visit the Tongogara Refugee Camp so that we can write stories about them and how they live," said Journalist Grail Kupakuwana in a request to the UNHCR boss, Hepie, at the Media briefing.
"This has been a very good workshop and we thank the Ministry of the Public Service and the UNHCR for hosting us."
Post published in: News