27-28 Oct 2003

Examining role of media in building NATO-Ukraine cooperation Background NATO-Ukraine relations Ukrainian journalists, academics, NGO and government representatives discussed the role of mass media in the development of NATO-Ukraine cooperation at a seminar in Chernivitsi on 27 and 28 October. The two-day event focused on the role the Ukrainian mass media plays in building NATO-Ukraine cooperation and what other roles it could take on. One important conclusion was the need for regional and local mass media to cover more international and security-related issues, particularly cooperation between NATO and Ukraine. Of particular interest was a panel with two journalists from neighbouring Romania on the country's successful experience of working towards NATO membership and the role of the mass media in the process. Romania is one of seven countries expected to join NATO next year. Participants also discussed broader issues faced by the mass media and Ukraine's integration with the Euro-Atlantic area. The event was organized by the Chernivtsi Civic Iinitiatives Foundationand the Chernivtsi National University, with the support of the NATO Information and Documentation Centre in Kyiv.