Following is Djerba Declaration:

Directors General, editors and journalists of news agencies in the Mediterranean region convened, May 24, 25, 2023, for the 31st General Assembly of the Alliance of Mediterranean News Agencies (AMAN), in Djerba, Tunisia, with the participation of 15 news agencies.

Prior to the General Assembly, a conference was organised on May 24, under the theme “Empowerment of Women in the Mediterranean: A Tunisian Perspective.”

The conference saw the attendance of representatives of Mediterranean news agencies, as well as Minister of Family, Women, Children and the Elderly Amal Belhaj Moussa. Esteemed Tunisian experts and scholars seeking to advance women’s rights contributed to the conference through their insightful interventions.

CEO of the host News Agency, TAP, Najah Missaoui, who will assume the AMAN presidency for a one-year term spanning 2023/2024, said the theme of the conference “testifies to the indispensable role of Mediterranean women in fostering sustainability and their unwavering determination to further augment their contribution to the economic landscape.”

Likewise, Minister Belhaj Moussa expressed her admiration for the chosen topic and highlighted the pivotal role of media in documenting and putting success stories of women in development and wealth creation under spotlight, thus serving as a beacon of hope.

She emphasised that economic empowerment of women requires substantial involvement of the media. Director General of the Croatian News Agency and outgoing President of AMAN Branka-Gabriela Vojvodić said the Alliance is able to triumph over cultural, religious, and civilizational differences among member countries. She highlighted the robust unity within AMAN, citing a profound understanding and extensive common ground, “particularly with regard to integrity.

During the conference, experts and women’s rights advocates were unanimous in stressing that the empowerment of women is a fundamental right that can only be achieved through the defence of women’s rights and the fight against all forms of violence against women.

Speakers discussed different aspects of women’s empowerment including the journalism sector. Several concepts related to empowerment were explained during this debate between speakers and participants, including humanitarian communication, networking and its role in empowering women journalists.

Accordingly, the AMAN General Assembly pledges to:

➢ Conduct Comparative Study and Archiving Member Agency

Experiences. We shall advocate for the systematic conduct of an indepth study encompassing the diverse experiences of member agencies. This study should aim to analyse and document the unique approaches, challenges, and successes encountered by each agency.

➢ Foster North-South Cooperation: We shall acknowledge the importance of collaboration between the Northern shore countries and Southern shore countries of the alliance. Encourage member agencies from the Northern side to extend support to their counterparts in the Southern side in terms of logistical assistance, resource sharing, and capacity building.

➢ Engage Non-Mediterranean Agencies/Countries for Insight: we shall recognise the value of diverse perspectives and global knowledge in enhancing AMAN’s growth and member countries’ capabilities. We recommend the invitation of non-Mediterranean agencies and countries to contribute insights and experiences to the alliance without seeking membership.

➢ Enhance Cross-Cultural Exchange: Member agencies shall streamline more exchanges of journalists and professionals across member countries. This can help foster a deeper understanding of diverse cultures, promote dialogue, and provide unique perspectives in news reporting.

➢ Promote Media Training and Development: We shall advocate for holding training programmes, workshops, and seminars that focus on strengthening the skills and knowledge of journalists and photojournalists. These initiatives can cover areas such as digital journalism, multimedia reporting, fact-checking, and data analysis to adapt to the evolving media landscape.

➢ Empower Women in Journalism: Member agencies would recognize the importance of gender equality in the media and support initiatives that empower women journalists. We shall promote equal opportunities, address gender biases, and provide a conducive environment for women to thrive in journalism.

➢ Engage in Digital Transformation and Innovation: We shall embrace the digital era by encouraging member agencies to invest in technology, digital platforms, and innovative storytelling techniques.