Ashraf AboArafe
In a world torn by conflict, Cairo reminds the world that words — when sincere — can build bridges stronger than walls.. Ambassador Mohamed Al-Orabi, Chairman of the Afro-Asian Peoples’ Solidarity Organization and Egypt’s former Minister of Foreign Affairs (MFA), affirmed that media is not a luxury, but rather a strategic tool for achieving peace, solidarity, and understanding among nations.
Speaking at the opening session of the training course “The Role of Media in Building Peace and Coexistence,” launched by the Afro-Asian Union of Journalists at the organization’s headquarters in Cairo, Al-Orabi stressed that the media’s role extends far beyond reporting — it is a moral and humanitarian responsibility to foster dialogue and unity.
He highlighted how media has long served as a voice for justice, particularly in supporting the Palestinian cause and shaping international awareness. “Today’s global complexity,” he said, “calls on us to activate every tool we possess — foremost among them responsible media — to promote human development and collective welfare.”
✦ A Call to Reimagine the Journalist’s Mission
Dr. Nizar Al-Khaled, President of the Afro-Asian Union of Journalists, described the course as more than a professional training — it is a call to rethink the journalist’s mission:
“Shall we remain witnesses to conflict,
or become partners in crafting peace?
The answer begins here — in how we speak, what we say, and why we say it.”
Al-Khaled emphasized the need to revive ethical journalism and social responsibility, empowering youth and women to lead a new media discourse grounded in dialogue, diversity, and empathy.
The training program focuses on “peace journalism” — how to counter hate speech and incitement by promoting real stories of hope and reconciliation. Participants also explore methods for conflict-sensitive reporting, adopting language that is precise, fair, and constructive.
He added that investigative journalism, when practiced ethically, should expose the roots of conflict not for sensationalism, but for understanding and healing. The sessions further address how to combat disinformation and digital propaganda, which threaten social harmony across Africa and the Arab world.
✦ Women’s Voices for Peace
Ms. Fatma Mustafa Semhan, President of the Zeinab Organization for Women’s Development, highlighted the power of positive media in strengthening peaceful coexistence and rejecting racism and division. She called for enhancing journalists’ skills to counter polarization and build societies grounded in tolerance and progress.
✦ Cairo’s Message
The five-day training brings together participants from ten African and Asian countries, led by renowned experts Dr. Amr El-Shobaki and Dr. Bashir Abdel Fattah.
The opening day was marked by an atmosphere of optimism and exchange, reflecting Cairo’s enduring role as a crossroads of dialogue among nations.
From Cairo rises a timeless message:
Media is not an echo of events… but the heartbeat of nations seeking peace.
