Park University's Global Peace Journalism Center Marks Decade with Symposium Events
Celebrating a Decade of Peace Journalism: Park University's Center for Global Peace Journalism (CGPJ) Marks its 10th Anniversary
The Center for Global Peace Journalism (CGPJ) at Park University is set to celebrate its 10th anniversary with a virtual symposium on March 2, 2022. This event, scheduled from 10 to 11:30 a.m. (Central time), will be open to the public and can be accessed at this link.
Since its inception in 2012, the CGPJ has been a pioneer in promoting peace journalism, an approach to journalism that aims to foster peace by altering the narrative of conflicts. The CGPJ works with journalists, academics, and students worldwide to enhance conflict reporting and encourage media to reject sensational and inflammatory reporting, instead producing counter-narratives that offer a more nuanced view of marginalized groups.
At the helm of the CGPJ is Steven Youngblood, who has been the director since its inception. Youngblood, a two-time J. William Fulbright Scholar, has taught peace journalism in 27 countries and territories, including conflict areas, and has conducted peace journalism workshops in 33 countries worldwide. His dedication to peace journalism was recognised in 2020 when he was awarded the Luxembourg Peace Prize for Outstanding Peace Journalism.
The symposium will feature a keynote address by Jake Lynch, Ph.D., associate professor and director in the Centre for Peace and Conflict Studies at the University of Sydney (Australia). Lynch is a renowned peace journalist and activist, known for his significant contributions to peace journalism. His work focuses on developing the theoretical framework and practice of peace journalism, highlighting how media can reduce conflict and promote peace by reporting in a way that humanizes all sides, challenges violence and injustice narratives, and emphasizes peace initiatives.
The moderated discussion at the symposium will feature panelists from Cameroon, India, Lebanon, Mexico, Northern Ireland, Pakistan, and Uganda. The concluding address will be given by Kathryn Johnston, deputy editor of VIEW, a magazine based in Northern Ireland that focuses on social affairs journalism.
Jake Lynch's contributions to peace journalism have been widely recognised. In 2017, he was awarded the Luxembourg Peace Prize for his contributions to both theory and practice in peace journalism. Youngblood and Lynch join a distinguished list of recipients of this prestigious award, which recognises individuals who have made significant contributions to the promotion of peace.
The CGPJ's 10th anniversary symposium promises to be an enlightening event, showcasing the impact of peace journalism and the work of the CGPJ in shaping a more peaceful and just world.
Participants at the CGPJ's 10th anniversary symposium will gain insights into the role of peace journalism in personal growth and education-and-self-development, as demonstrated by the experiences of keynote speaker Jake Lynch and director Steven Youngblood. Through their work, Lynch and Youngblood have fostered learning opportunities that promote peace and counter narratives, contributing to personal growth and overall societal development.
