From May 20 to 23, PASCAL is promoting a training session on “Citizen Journalism” in the province of Huambo, with journalists from public and private bodies, and directors of institutional communication offices of the provincial governments of the five provinces supported by PASCAL.
The opening ceremony of this four-day event was attended by distinguished figures including the Deputy Governor for Political, Social and Economic Affairs, Angelino Elavoco, who welcomed the participants. Isabel Emerson, Deputy Head of Cooperation of the European Union Delegation to Angola, expressed the EU’s continued support for the country’s social and economic development. Pablo López, Director of PASCAL, highlighted the importance of the direct involvement of journalists in the participatory governance process, while Teresa Quivienguele, Secretary of State for Territorial Administration, reinforced the commitment of the Ministry of Territorial Administration to support initiatives that promote proximity between governance and citizens.
The training on Citizen Journalism, conducted by renowned experts such as Prof. Alpiniano Filho, a Brazilian journalist and publicist, and Paulo Miranda, an icon of radio communication in Angola, aims to train journalists to promote the voice of the citizen in an effective and ethical way. This training is essential to strengthen civic participation and transparency in public institutions.
For the training, two main groups of participants were selected: journalists from public and private bodies, and directors of institutional communication offices of the provincial governments of the five provinces supported by PASCAL. This strategic selection aims to ensure that both news producers and institutional communication managers are well equipped with the necessary skills.
The first day of training was marked by the rich interaction between participants and trainers, establishing an environment conducive to learning and the exchange of experiences. The commitment and enthusiasm demonstrated by those involved signal a promising future for the strengthening of citizen journalism in Angola.
With this formation, PASCAL reaffirms its commitment to promoting transparency, accountability and civic engagement, thus contributing to more democratic and participatory governance in the country.
One of the project’s future goals is to create a network of citizen journalists. This network will serve as a platform for the continuous exchange of experiences and for strengthening the capabilities acquired during training. Through well-structured citizen journalism, the aim is to create a solid bridge between the government and civil society, facilitating effective and inclusive communication.
PASCAL, a project funded by the European Union, has as its main mission to promote a robust civil society and efficient local administration in Angola. To achieve this mission, the project is guided by three specific objectives:
- Improving the legislative and institutional framework: strengthening the legal and institutional framework to support participatory governance.
- Strengthening civil society participation: increasing the participation of underrepresented groups, such as women and youth, in decision-making processes.
- Increasing citizen information and awareness: improving the level of information and awareness of citizens about their rights and decentralization.