Supplementary Human Dimension Meeting (SHDM) - The Role of Free Media in the Comprehensive Approach to Security

The meeting is aimed at providing a forum to evaluate the existing interrelationship between the media and security across the OSCE region, but also to share best practices on how this relationship may be enhanced to the benefit of free media and security interests. It will consider, among other topics, such areas as “peace journalism” and professional standards which are considered as effective tools for the fostering of sustainable security and regional stability.

This Supplementary Human Dimension Meeting will discuss best practices from across the OSCE area, with a focus on the following key areas:

• Free Media as a Basis for European Security;

• The Role of the Media in Peacebuilding and Conflict Prevention;

• The Role of the Media in Counteracting Disinformation, “Hate Speech” and Radicalization.

The meeting will be attended by the participating States as well as other relevant actors including civil society and international organisations. Recommendations may be addressed to participating States, OSCE institutions, including the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights, OSCE executive structures, the OSCE at large, other inter-governmental as well as civil society actors in OSCE participating States.

Participants

Representatives of OSCE participating States, OSCE institutions and OSCE executive structures, representatives of inter-governmental organisations, representatives of civil society and researchers from 57 participating States that have an interest in the topic are invited to participate in the SHDM. The Partners for Co-operation are invited to attend and contribute with respect to their co-operation and links with the OSCE in the field.

Participation in the Seminar is free of charge, although all travel and accommodation costs should be borne by participants. Participants are kindly requested to make their own travel and hotel arrangements. You can find a list of a selection of hotels in Vienna below .

Civil society organizations can find more information in the document titled “Information for Civil Society”.

Registration

Participants wishing to attend the meeting are requested to register online at http://meetings.odihr.pl latest by the deadline of Wednesday, 25 October 2017 (12:00 CET). Important note: registration after this date will be closed and registration on-site will not be available.

Modalities & Logistics

The modalities of the meeting are set out in accordance with the decision of the Permanent Council (PC.DEC/476, 23 May 2002).

The meeting will take place in the Hofburg Congress Centre. On Thursday before the opening plenary side events might take place. Please consult the schedule. The meeting will start on Thursday, 2 November at 15.00 with an opening session followed by three working sessions, and the closing session will conclude on Friday, 3 November at 17:00. For details please see the General Information and Agenda documents.

The side events might take place on Thursday, 2 November between 13:00 and 14:45 and on Friday, 3 November between 11:00 and 13:00 – for details please check the Side Events Schedule on the SHDM website, prior to the meeting.

Interpretation will be provided into the six official OSCE languages: English, French, German, Italian, Russian and Spanish.

More information on organization of the sessions, seating, guidelines for debate, display and distribution of documents, logistics, etc. is available in the document General Information.

Side events

Side events may be held over the course of two days during the SHDM. To book a side event, please register first through the ODIHR Registration System (http://meetings.odihr.pl.) and then proceed to side event booking. The system will be open from Monday, 16 October at 12.00 (CET) until Friday, 20 October 23:59 (CET). Detailed information on side event booking is available in the Side Events Information document.

In case of any questions, you may contact:

Overall co-ordination of meeting: Ms. Kamila Czerwinska at [email protected], Tel: +48 22 5200 657

Ms. Nora Isaac at [email protected]+43 1 51436 6805

Coordination of side events: Mr. Ireneusz Stepinski at [email protected]  or +48 22 5200 658

Registration of participants: Ms. Anna Sierant at [email protected] or +48 22 5200 627

For information on the postponed SHDM on Access to Justice as a Key Element of the Rule of Law please click here.