Diversity Reporting Online Course launched in Kyrgyzstan

It is the first online handbook that in Kyrgyzstan has never been.

This course was developed by trainers and experts of the School of Peacemaking and Media Technology as part of the Encouraging Diversity Through Media project with financial support of the Freedom of Information Program of Soros Foundation – Kyrgyzstan.

The course is a training aid for journalists on how to cover ethnic, cultural and linguistic diversity in time of peace and conflict. Special sections provide detailed modern diversity terminology, aspects of diversity in laws and regulations of Kyrgyzstan, international practices and new approaches to diversity coverage. This course will be useful not only to reporters and editors, but also to media communication experts, teachers and students, and those who want to learn to write articles according to high ethical standards and norms.The lectures contained training aids used during training sessions on improving skills of journalists to cover diversity, producing team and multimedia coverage, as well as the modules on peacemaking journalism and destroying stereotypes, created as part of the Program to Reduce the Potential for Renewed Ethnic Conflict implemented in 2010-2013.

The full cycle of the Diversity Coverage contains 55 lectures, out of which 60% are video lectures, 8 tests, 5 analysis exercises in Kyrgyz and Russian. Video were captured in a studio kindly furnished by the American University of Central Asia (AUCA). At the completion of training, every student was given a self-assessment sheet and asked to use a feedback form to give some advice to instructors.

Not only local specialists, but also our colleagues from Kazakhstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan were invited to test the course. Participants from these countries will also have access to this educational base.

Training aids were published on the free learning platform Udemy and integrated into the website of the School of Peacemaking and Media Technology, where every user can register and start learning by following the link. All materials were provided based on an open license, Creative Commons. Publication of the course in the open platform allows to move the exchange of training aids in diversity journalism to the next level, add and create new sections and lectures, use this base in other learning modules.

The Encouraging Diversity through Media project is focused on content development, strengthening of constructive role of the media in an interethnic dialog, improvement of professional skills of journalists covering cultural, language and ethnic diversity. For additional information please contact us at peacemakingschool@gmail.com www.ca-mediators.net +996312 69 40 15, +996312 69 40 15

About organization: School of Peacemaking and Media Technology is a nonprofit organization, which activity supports freedom of speech and access to information, development of free and honest journalism, encouragement of media in crisis areas in order to strengthen stability and democracy both in Kyrgyzstan and Central Asia.