Internews presented its new Central Asian project “Cultivating Audience Resilience through Amplification of Vibrant and Authentic Narratives (CARAVAN)”, funded by the European Union (EU). This project aims to contribute to the emergence of an information environment in the region, which is more resilient to different forms of information manipulations, disinformation, and hate speech. The approach focuses on achieving three outcomes: improving the quality and scope of content by journalists and content creators to counter disinformation and hate speech in Central Asia; uniting media and civil society to foster resilient national media spaces’ and enhancing regional cooperation among media professionals from Central Asia and beyond, DKnews.kz reports.
The hybrid (online and offline) event in Astana brought together local and international partners, government representatives, and well-known media and civil society experts, all keen to begin actively cooperating within joint national and regional initiatives aimed at building the capacity of content producers and preventing the spread of all forms of information manipulations, disinformation, and hate speech.
The ceremony was opened with the opening remark of Mr Kestutis Jankauskas, Ambassador of the European Union to Kazakhstan:
European Union partnership with Central Asia needs to maintain a solid foundation built on truthful, fact-based information available to our citizens. This enables us to make correct analysis, take right decisions and navigate increasingly manipulated geopolitical environment. EU supported REVIVE project for Central Asia has helped us to achieve that for couple of years already, and I’m proud today to announce its continuation. Kestutis Jankauskas, Ambassador of the European Union to Kazakhstan
The Project Director of CARAVAN, Vadim Sadonshoev, thanked the EU for supporting this initiative and emphasized that:
On behalf of Internews, I am very glad to see such interest in the project among our partners – independent journalists, media managers, NGO representatives, and members of the international community. Such interest in the project clearly shows that we are not the only ones who see its importance, timeliness, and necessity. On our part, we are committed to doing everything possible to support our colleagues and help them succeed in the project. Vadim Sadonshoev, The Project Director of CARAVAN
The project will be implemented throughout 2.5 years (or 30 months) in Central Asia, starting from the 1st of April, 2024 and will primarily work with independent media professionals, content creators, civic activists, and CSOs.
