ID :
307415
Tue, 11/19/2013 - 11:00
Auther :

Mass Media Plays Vital Role In Interethnic Relations

By Harlina Samson ASTANA (Kazakhstan), Nov 19 (Bernama) -- The mass media plays a critical role in promoting trust and cooperation among different ethnicities and faiths throughout the world. Therefore, the mass media worldwide should also portray positive images and stories of societies and nations. These are among the consensus achieved at the recent two-day International Media Forum held here. In an 'Appeal' adopted at the forum, the inter-faith and inter-ethnic experts, public figures and journalists shared the sentiments of the Kazakhstan people, who represent at least 130 ethnicities, for peace in the world. “Participants from 20 countries felt deeply the ‘Spirit of Astana’ – the spirit of trust, harmony, tolerance and unity in diversity,” according to the English translated 'Appeal' made available to Bernama here on Monday. The 'Appeal', to be submitted to Kazakhstan’s President Nursultan Nazarbayev, also expressed gratitude for the president’s efforts in preserving peace and consensus not only in Kazakhstan but also throughout theworld. INTERNATIONAL DAY OF TOLERANCE Over two days, the 500 participants mainly the local Kazakh journalists and foreign mass media, deputies of the Parliament of the Republic of Kazakhstan and members of the Assembly of People of Kazakhstan discussed new and traditional approaches of mass media coverage relating to inter-ethnic issues. The forum was dedicated to the International Day for Tolerance, which is observed on Nov 16 annually. The day was declared by UNESCO in 1995 to educate people about the need for tolerance and to generate public awareness of the dangers of intolerance. At the forum five panel discussions were held, which among others witnessed agreements of cooperation made between journalist clubs, discussion on methods of presentation of issues of contention through the Internet and social networks, and ethno-cultural and ethno-journalism issues. INTERETHNIC HARMONY During the session, the chairperson of the scientific-judgmental board of the Assembly of the People of Kazakhstan Aigul K.Sadvokasova told the participants that Kazakhstan is now moving towards consolidating the Kazakh people. It is to achieve the single Kazakh nation with about 130 ethnicities to consider the country as their motherland. “With more than 100 ethnic groups, tolerance and interaction partnership of its people in achieving common goals and maintaining common values are not an easy task. It has to be supported by all. “Inter-ethnic issues have to be resolved harmoniously and it requires the participation of everyone particularly the state agencies, public institutions,” she said adding that the mass media also plays a vital role in promoting ethnic tolerance, interfaith understanding and strengthening ethnic relations. UNITY IN DIVERISTY Sadvokasova said inter-ethnic, inter-religious relations were the key point of Kazakhstan’s public policies on national unity, tolerance and social harmony. 'The unity in diversity' has become our common gain, and the consensus among the ethnic groups is our main achievement, the symbol of Kazakhstan, the basis for successful socio-economic and political development of the country, she added. Kazakhstan, the world’s ninth largest country, has 17 million population. -- BERNAMA

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