Four-Day Training Workshop of RSS Media Practioners on EAC Integration comes to a close
East African Community Secretariat, Arusha, 10th November, 2017:
A four-day training workshop of media practitioners from the Republic of South Sudan on the East African Community integration came to a close Friday at the EAC Headquarters in Arusha, Tanzania.
The workshop, which attracted participation from 23 Public Communications Officers and journalists from media houses in South Sudan, is part of efforts by the EAC Secretariat to build capacity for RSS stakeholders in the integration process and ensure the smooth entry of the world’s youngest nation into the Community.
Among the resolutions at the end of the workshop was that the Government of South Sudan should urgently strengthen the communications function in its Ministry of Trade, Industry and East African Community Affairs and equip it with the tools and resources that will improve access to information on EAC by the media.
It was further agreed that the EAC Secretariat in close collaboration with the RSS Ministry of Trade, Industry and EAC Affairs avails updated documents and timely information to the media for purposes of sensitizing citizens of South Sudan on the integration process.
It was resolved that media houses encourage objective, accurate and responsible coverage of EAC issues free of distortion of facts on the integration.
It was also agreed that public educational materials on the EAC integration and its benefits be developed and distributed to members of the public and other stakeholders in South Sudan.
The objective of the workshop that was organised by the EAC Secretariat in collaboration with GIZ, the German Technical Cooperation Agency, was to engage Public Communications Officers and journalists from South Sudan with a view to enhancing their understanding and appreciation of the integration process.
In remarks read on his behalf by the Director of Infrastructure at the EAC Secretariat during the closing session of the workshop, Dr. Kamugisha Kazaura, EAC Secretary General Amb. Liberat Mfumukeko said that the integration of RSS into the Community would not only bring tangible political, socio-cultural and economic benefits to the South Sudan but to the region as a whole.
“The enlargement of the Community will invariably increase intra-regional trade; cross-border investment; elimination of non-tariff barriers to trade, and; enhance economic growth within the region. Our countries stand a better chance to create a globally competitive East Africa as envisioned by the Founding Fathers,” said Amb. Mfumukeko.
Amb. Mfumukeko urged the participants to be at the forefront in promoting the EAC integration in to the people of South Sudan.
“As communication cum media practitioners, you will be at the frontline of efforts by the EAC to sensitize the people of South Sudan on the integration process. I urge you to be good ambassadors of the EAC by reporting effectively and with accuracy on EAC issues,” said the Secretary General.
-ENDS-
For more information, please contact:
Mr Owora Richard Othieno
Head, Corporate Communications and Public Affairs Department
EAC Secretariat
Arusha, Tanzania
Tel: +255 784 835021
Email: OOthieno [at] eachq.org
About the East African Community Secretariat:
The East African Community (EAC) is a regional intergovernmental organisation of five Partner States, comprising Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania and Uganda, with its headquarters in Arusha, Tanzania.
The EAC Secretariat is ISO 2008:9001 Certified