PR experts envisage common projects - Media Programme Southeast Europe
Event Reports
Representatives of the EU communications forum "Club of Venice", the European Economic and Social Committee, the Committee of the Regions, the Goethe Institute as well as the European Integration Office of the Government of Serbia, were among the participants. They debated about recent developments in political communication in South East Europe together with board members of the communication association SEECOM and experts of the Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung.
Possible topics for SEECOM events in 2016 were discussed. It is a professional association of government spokespersons and public sector communicators with a focus on the Balkans. It was co-founded by the KAS Media Program South East Europe. The association has established cooperations with several EU institutions and other organisations so far. The refugee crisis will be an important common topic throughout next year: How is migration reviewed in the media? How do governments communicate with citizens and with refugees?
A new focal point of SEECOM is culture as an instrument of public diplomacy. SEECOM and its partners will explore how cultural topics can be used to improve dialogue with civil societies in the Balkans and with European institutions. In this regard, the director of the Goethe Institute in Sofia, Enzio Wetzel, presented examples of successful cultural projects abroad. He outlined the overall impact of culture on social and political interactions.
The strengthening of professional networks on the regional and international levels is being facilitated in the framework of various EU initiatives. Sabina Wölkner, Head of the KAS Multinational Development Policy Dialogue, commented on various EU programmes which could potentially support the further development of Public Sector Communication in South East Europe.
