Let's debate - Seminar in Belgium

Seminar-training in Belgium (Brussels, March 2009) which was the third in a row already discussed issues connected with community media in Europe and opportunities that can empower civil, educational and cultural programs in Europe.

Participants of the seminar participated in the creative media workshops and discussed in a Pro-Contra debate if the directly elected European Parliament is needed. They also visited Directorate-General Communication of the European Commission and explored the possibilities that Audiovisual Service can offer (Europe by Satellite, Eutube, audiovisual portal, library, Mavise and Euranet). Participants had an opportunity to visit European Parliament and met with MEP Zbigniew Zaleski from Lubelskie region in Poland.

All participants of the seminar took part in the conference ‚We are the voice of Europe’. The conference tried to answer the question what was the role of community media in Europe and the possibilities for developing community media sector across the European Union.

Participants discussed the resolution of the European Parliament on community media, which is calling upon the Member States of the EU to take measures for the support of alternative media in Europe for a pluralistic media environment and cultural diversity.

The representatives of community media centers, non-governmental organizations, vocational training centers, companies and trade unions took part in the conference, which was organized on 4th of March 2009.

They discussed with members of the European Parliament, representatives of the European Commission, politicians and experts. During the conference the first European community web TV channel has been launched. There were also creative workshops and presentations of vocational, media and political education in Great Britain, Germany and Poland.