Conference on media and citizenship in Luanda highlights the role of communication in empowering youth and strengthening active and inclusive citizenship in Angola.
On Thursday, August 29, we held an important Conference on Media and Citizenship at the Intercontinental Hotel in Luanda. Under the theme “Empowering Youth through Media”, the event brought together more than 100 participants, including ambassadors, representatives of the European Union, civil society organizations and journalists from several provinces of the country, to discuss the impact of the media in promoting active citizenship, especially among young people.
The opening of the event featured speeches by Paulo Barroso, Chargé d’Affaires of the Delegation of the European Union, and Pablo López Déan, Director of PASCAL, who emphasised the importance of initiatives such as this one for building a more inclusive and democratic society in Angola. PASCAL is a strategic project that aligns with the objectives of consolidating peace and strengthening democracy in the country, focusing on participatory governance and the empowerment of underrepresented groups, such as young people and women.
Featured speakers included Marc Enrique Tawil, a Brazilian communicator and entrepreneur, and Daniel Prando Cavaretti, an expert in innovation and entrepreneurship. Tawil addressed the importance of active listening in digital journalism, highlighting that “the superpower of digitalisation is active listening. If we want to talk to young people, the first thing we must do is listen to them”. He also stressed the vital role of independent journalism in democratising information.
Cavaretti, in turn, reflected on communication as a tool for social justice, using as an example two Brazilian neighborhoods, one rich and the other poor, separated by a wall. He emphasized that development cannot be restricted to one part of society, but must be inclusive and comprehensive, with the media playing a crucial role in this process. The event also featured a panel dedicated to the analysis of citizen media in Angola, led by Pereira Santana, Executive Director of Jornal de Angola. The panel included the participation of journalists such as Liliana Constantino, Gil Lupassa, Maida Cussy and Pedro Santa Maria, who discussed the role of Citizen Journalism in strengthening the voice of the community and promoting active citizenship. During the conference, interactive sessions and practical workshops were held, where participants discussed strategies to improve coverage of social issues and promote citizenship through journalism. Attendees actively participated, exchanging experiences on how social media can be an agent of positive change.
Pablo López Déan gave a positive assessment of the event, highlighting that “the media plays a fundamental role in any society. They must inform, raise awareness, transmit and be close to both citizens and governments.” Pablo also stressed that partnerships between the media and projects like PASCAL are essential to ensure that citizens’ voices are heard and respected.
The conference was a unique opportunity for participants to explore the transformative role of the media in Angolan society and reinforce their commitment to promoting more active and inclusive citizenship, in line with PASCAL’s objectives.