Journalists from Burundi, Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo will gather together in Ngozi, Burundi next week to discuss key issues for journalists in the region.

The conference, which will bring together approximately 20 key reporters and editors, will be the third in the region after a previous national conference in 2008 and a joint seminar in Rwanda in 2009.

The previous two conferences did focus on the sad history of Burundi and Rwanda with a genocide taking place in the 1990s. This new conference will rather look ahead to the future, and also discuss recent elections in some of the countries and their impact on society.

Key topics at the conference in Ngozi will be:

- “How do media impact on public life in the period ahead of elections - Case of Rwanda”, by Aimable Twahirwa, Rwanda.

- “Media activity in post-election Burundi: Understanding the challenges subsequent to 2010 elections” By Gorgon Sabushimike, Burundi.

- “The role and challenges of Media in Preparing people to peaceful elections in DR Congo”

- “Can Good Journalists Learn from the Bible?” by the CEO of TThe Media Project, Arne H. Fjeldstad

The key facilitator for the regional conference is Mr. Deogratias Ndayishimiye, a veteran radio journalist from Burundi. The conference also aims to expand ongoing discussions of an international network in the region.