The seminar offered an opportunity for discussing the challenges and the opportunities of media representatives reporting on development issues. It also highlighted the crucial role women play in the media business including their accomplishments and the unique set of challenges they face.
The chief guest for the seminar was Minister for Commerce, Engineer Khurram Dastgir Khan.
The panel discussion organized at Bahria University focused on sharing best practices in the field of media and development, identifying synergies and opportunities for collaboration between media representative and the UN System and providing mass communications students with inspirational guidance for their professional growth.
Speakers included renowned local and foreign experts and media personalities, such as Sharmeen Obaid Chinoy, Ziauddin Ahmed, Fasi Zaka, Katharine Houreld, Sara Farid, Diane Desobeau and Julian Phelan.
Mr. Tanveer Faiz, Rector Bahria University and H.E. Rodolfo Martin Saravia, Dean of the Diplomatic Corps attended the event and made opening remarks.
The students and faculty were thrilled to have some of the best media and communications experts gathered on one platform to share their thoughts and experience and offer guidance to the 400 plus audience.
Mr. Vittorio Cammarota, Director, United Nations Information Centre said, “The overall aim of this event is to strengthen mutual collaboration and support between the development world and the media for the benefit of our beneficiaries, the people of Pakistan.”
When asked if it is more challenging being a documentary film-maker in Pakistan, Sharmeen Obaid Chinoy commented, “My greatest asset as a Pakistani is being a woman and I think Pakistan’s greatest assets are its women: if you look around the world, we are the ones climbing the highest mountains and winning the Oscar award”.
Mr. Ziauddin Ahmed spoke about how media industry in Pakistan has come a long way ,“It was roundabout at the turn of the century that things started opening up for the media industry and private sector was invited to set up television channels”.
