World Press Freedom Day event at NEWI

4 May 2006

NEWI was fighting for freedom last night when it was used as a venue for supporting World Press Freedom Day. The event gained extensive interest from across the spectrum from students through to local dignitaries, all taking an interest in the function and purpose of UNESCO and the need for freedom of speech.

The event encompassed talks by Nadira Tudor an experienced broadcaster and producer who set the scene for the event by talking about the contrast in her upbringing between the UK and Bangladesh. The keynote speaker Professor Roshan Doug then tested people’s concept of freedom of speech and provided the audience with some thought provoking examples including the involvement of the media to highlight many topical issues.

The evening also featured music related to the theme by Michel Dikoff and two short films about the Brick School in Nepal and its impact on the local society. The event was recorded and will be turned into a weblog to be broadcast at a later date.

Professor Michael Scott, Chair of UNESCO Cymru-Wales and Principal and Chief Executive of NEWI spoke at the event about the various rights that we expect here in the UK and often take for granted. “The evening was a very poignant one. It is great to feel that two organisations close to my heart can come together to make a difference. There are some horrible harsh realities in the world and events such as these enable awareness to be raised. It was great to see so people at the event taking an interest in UNESCO’s work”

The broadcast from the event will be available in the next few days.