11th ASEF Journalists’ Seminar kicks off

 November 18, 2017

The opening ceremony for the 11th Asia-Europe Foundation (ASEF) Journalists’ Seminar was held yesterday morning at Tungapuri Hotel, Nay Pyi Taw.

This year’s theme is “Shaping Public Perceptions and Minds Towards Achieving the SDGs (Sustainable Development Goals)”. The ceremony was attended by Union Minister for Information Dr Pe Myint, Permanent Secretary and senior departmental officials, Asia-Europe Foundation Executive Director Mr. Karsten Warnecke and officials, media representatives from member countries of the Asia-Europe Foundation and Myanmar media representatives.

At the ceremony, Union Minister Dr Pe Myint said it was the first time for Myanmar to host the ASEF seminar and the third country among ASEAN countries.

“In retrospect, the inaugural Asian-Europe 1996 Meeting (ASEM) convened by the leaders of 25 European and Asian countries, together with the European Commission, paved the way for the establishment of the Asia-Europe Foundation (ASEF) in 1997. In this meeting, the ASEM leaders agreed to form an Asia-Europe Foundation with contributions from Asian and European countries in order to promote exchanges between think-tanks, peoples and cultural groups. Myanmar has become a member at the 5th ASEM Summit in October 2004. Nowadays, the total number of ASEM and ASEF Members has become to 53.”

“With the aforementioned objectives, we are able to hold the 11th ASEF seminar today. As all of us know, the theme for the 11th ASEF Journalists’ Seminar is “Shaping Public Perceptions and Minds Towards Achieving the SDGs. They are 17 goals underpinned by 169 targets, which set the priorities for sustainable development through to 2030. Unlike the Millennium Development Goals, which were aimed at developing countries, the SDGs are universal goals for all countries, both developed and developing ones, and all sorts of organisations including public, private and third sector, to collaboratively work towards. So who are the Goals for? Everyone! These goals are the fundamental cornerstone to secure future economic and business growth and other areas.” “If we imagine a world where every country in the world had achieved all 17 of the SDGs, it must surely be enough motivation and capacity to discharge our part of responsibility towards achieving them. In doing so, public participation plays a very crucial role. Without it, we cannot succeed.

In order to achieve public participation, we need to know their perception and mind first. If necessary, we need to change theirs gradually for their betterment. Here, shaping their perception and mind becomes a key. Media is one of the ways and means in shaping them. But media, like a double edged sword, can do both good and bad things.

In order to bring only good deeds, our media landscape must be ethical and professional ensuring accountability, responsibility and impartiality. Moreover, it is essential to know how to write a good, accurate and informative story and news related SDGs in order for people to more understand in these goals for their participation.”

“As a member of UN, Myanmar has been implementing SDGs with its utmost efforts. We have to admit that it is still in the progress and we have many things needed to be done. To achieve these goals, we, UN members, need to share our experiences, ideas and if possible advanced and relevant IT among us. Moreover, we can also share information on what we have and what we don’t have. So all these information can be carried through various media outlets.”

“As we strongly believe that the SDGs are key drivers for our future and it’s the responsibility of all sectors to make sure we achieve them, it is to be honoured for media persons for performing a magnificent responsibility for shaping good public perceptions and minds towards achieving the SDGs. We are looking forward to promoting cooperation. I heartily feel that all attendees are looking to take positive action and make the world we want to see in 2030 a reality” said the Union Minister.

Next, Asia-Europe Foundation Executive Director Mr. Karsten Warnecke thanked the Ministry of Information for its support to hold the seminar and spoke of his pleasure and honour in meeting media representatives of ASEF and the expectation of obtaining much experience from the seminar. The first ASEF Journalists’ Seminar was held in Thailand in 1996 with an aim of increasing Asia-Europe connectivity and this is the 21st anniversary of the forming of ASEF. Discussions to increase Asia-Europe cooperation will be made at ASEM Foreign Ministers’ Meeting. In the present seminar, media from ASEF will exchange views and experiences and discuss difficulties faced in working for sustainable development. ASEF journalists can strengthen the media network and achieve more cooperation. Matters relating to Sustainable Development Reporting were conducted in India in 2013. This year, it will be conducted more diversely and importantly according to the aims set by United Nations. All will discuss in order to achieve this. Good results from the two-day seminar discussion is expected, said the Executive Director.

Afterwards, the Union Minister and officials, ASEF Executive Director and officials, representatives of new media in attendance took a commemorative group photo and the seminar was held according to schedule.

Myanmar News Agency

Ref; The Global New Light of Myanmar