African Women's Role in Media AU Hosts 4th Annual African International Media Summit (AIMS 2009) in Addis Ababa

The African Communication Agency (ACA), in collaboration with the African Union Commission (AUC), hosted the 4th African International Media Summit (AIMS) from13-15 March 2009, under the theme: "the Role of African Women in the Media".

This year's conference paid particular homage to the achievements of women in media and focused on newsmaker issues affecting African women.

The summit was held at the African Union Headquarters, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia included the participation of journalists from every corner of the African Continent and the African Diaspora.

The Deputy Chairperson of the AU Commission, H.E Mr. Erastus Mwencha opened the conference which was co-chaired by Mrs. Habiba Mejri-Cheikh, Head of Communication and Information (AUC); Dr. Adrienne Diop, Head of Communication, ECOWAS; Dr. Erieka Bennett, President, African Communication Agency and Dr. Desta Meghoo, AIMS 2009 Coordinator.

Dr. Erieka Bennett, President of the African Communications Agency explained how the three previous AIMS conferences (Ghana 2006; Nigeria 2007; Tunisia 2008) have positively impacted the profession of journalism in Africa and the African Diaspora.

Mr. Mwencha stressed that Africa has many positive stories for media to focus and report on, and that media has a responsibility to promote balance by exploring the positives as well as the negative critical issues, in order to correct the one-sided, stereotyped image of Africa which pervades media in the global community.

AUC Head of Communication, Mrs. Mejri-Cheikh underscored the point by adding that the leadership in African nations must also play a greater role by devoting more attention and resources to the media and by promoting world-class, leading edge media activities.

Dr. Diop of ECOWAS recommended greater implementation of effective communication for the betterment of Africa's nations and people, emphasizing that "Communication is the key instrument for integration".

The AIMS 2009 "Living Legends Gala Dinner", graciously sponsored by Afriqiyah Airways, is a highlight of each AIMS conference.

On this occasion, the gala dinner was presented at Addis Ababa's deluxe Sheraton Addis Hotel.

Recipients of the AIMS 2009 gala awards included: Mrs. Habiba Mejri-Cheikh, Dr. Adrienne Diop, Dr. Desta Meghoo, Mr. Salim Mohamed Amin, Mr. Desmond Orjiako and Mrs. Aza Smith. Past recipients of the "Living Legend" award include: Nelson Mandela, Archbishop Desmond Tutu, boxing legend Muhammad Ali and former UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan, and others.

AIMS also presented a media training workshop which was conducted in the African Union's media center for summit attendees, a workshop was also presented for Ethiopian young people interested in careers in news media and media production.

Included with the exceptional array of special programs and panel discussions, a documentary film on the life and work of the renowned African journalist Mohamed Amin was also presented.

The annual AIMS conferences are designed to promote a news making and media production consciousness emphasizing the "Re-branding of Africa" and have a goal of improving at-large portrayals of Africans in continental and global media by encouraging balanced reporting.

AIMS 2010 will be presented in the Republic of South Africa in advance of the World Cup Games.