EU Neighbours South Newsletter
EU Neighbours South
Building awareness about the European Union in the Southern Neighborhood & connecting you to the EU-funded projects
The EU Neighbours South is part of the EU-funded Regional Communication Programme for the Eastern and Southern Neighbourhoods. The four-year programme (2020-2024) aims to raise awareness, increase knowledge and improve public understanding of the European Union and its policies, enhance strategic communication actions and build resilience against disinformation in the Southern Neighbourhood.
One week, three events in Brussels?
From 19 to 22 November, Brussels was the setting for a week of exciting events organised by EU Neighbours South. Four years of hard work in building networks, implementing creative campaigns, and nurturing?the creative?commitment and talent of young people from across the Southern Neighbourhood were celebrated in this first-of-its-kind gathering. ?
This special edition looks back on the unique week!?
Media Connect Press Trip: Empowering the Next Generation of Journalists
As part of the Media Connect initiative, the EU Neighbours South programme organised a press trip for 14 young journalists and journalism students from 9 countries in the Southern Neighbourhood: Algeria, Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, Libya, Morocco, Palestine, Syria and Tunisia. Over 4 days, the young participants immersed?in joint activities, workshops and hands-on experiences.
The trip started with a group activity to explore shared experiences and different perspectives, followed by the presentation of their journalistic productions. Then there was a workshop led by Matteo Salvai, Head of Media and Social Media at the European Commission (DG Regio). In this session, participants learnt practical strategies to navigate the professional media landscape. Matteo Salvai and his team showed them how to find the right contacts for specific scenarios and how to liaise with them effectively.
The second day included a visit to the European Commission Visitors' Centre, with presentations from the Directorate-General for Communication and insights into the EU programmes for education and youth work in the Southern Neighbourhood. The last 2 days were dedicated to the European Journalism Agora, where participants took part in panel discussions, workshops and networking events.
Participants also worked together in a shared student press room where they were able to apply their newly acquired skills in real time by producing content, including radio programmes. One programme, presented in Arabic, focused on constructive journalism, while the other, delivered in English, explored the use of artificial intelligence by journalists and in newsrooms.
Connect Summit: Sharing Experiences, Shaping the Future
The 2nd edition of the Connect Summit, a flagship event of the EU Jeel Connect network, brought together young leaders from 9 countries of the Southern Neighbourhood in Brussels on 21 and 22 November.
On the first day, a “Been There, Done That!” session took place during which the Connectors shared their experiences and success stories. From impactful campaigns and trips to Europe to events such as Eyes on Earth and TEDx talks, the EU Jeel Connectors explored the full impact of the network. Later, panels discussed topics such as mental health, women’s empowerment, culture and education, while stories of resilience in times of crisis emphasised the solidarity of the network. The day ended with thematic contributions from EU experts on green and digital transition, disinformation and crisis communication.
On the second day, participants delved deeper into the basics of the European Union in a training session led by representatives from DG Near and other EU institutions. The workshop covered the EU's structure, priorities and programmes focusing on youth. The summit concluded with a planning session in which participants worked with their country coordinators to draft action plans for 2025.
A highlight of the Connect Summit 2024 was the Connect Summit Challenge, where EU Jeel Connectors from each country presented their ideas for country-wide initiatives on stage. The teams showcased their creativity, innovation and commitment to driving change in their communities. There was also a video challenge where Connectors from each country produced visually captivating videos promoting the network, highlighting past activities and telling inspiring stories.
Lebanon won the challenge for the best idea for a nationwide initiative promoting the EU and EU-funded opportunities in Lebanon, while Morocco won the EU Jeel Connectors video competition with a video recognising the Connectors' commitment to the EU, their leadership and their dedication to promoting the EU.
TANDEM Media & DigiArt Awards Celebrate Exceptional Creative Talent
The TANDEM Media & DigiArt Awards closing ceremonies were the perfect ending to the week. Taking place on the last evening, on November 22, it brought together all participants including 24 TANDEM finalists, 14 Media Connect press trip participants and 25 EU Jeel Connectors.
With 227 submissions from 9 different countries, the competition highlighted the vibrant storytelling that defines the Southern Neighborhood’s creative scene.?The winners for each category were celebrated for their extraordinary contributions:
For the DigiArt Awards, a live vote determined the winning TANDEM. The winners were Aya Benmebarek from Algeria and Marwa El Farra from Palestine.
Echoes of Time: A Creative Exploration of Freedom
The TANDEM Media & DigiArt Awards ceremony included an interactive artistic panel, Echoes of Time: A Journey of Freedom. Combining the structure of a traditional panel discussion with the immersive power of a live performance, the event brought together young creatives, media professionals and civil society actors to reflect on the profound themes of time, freedom and artistic expression.
The panel discussion was part of the Speak Up Culture! campaign, which aims to make the voices in the Southern Neighbourhood more heard and promote dialogue on freedom of expression and cultural creativity.
At the center of the panel discussion was the Master of Time, who led the participants through a thought-provoking narrative about the different dimensions of freedom. This was complemented by the Guardians of Freedom — four speakers who embodied important aspects of freedom.
What was special about this panel discussion was its theatrical approach. The statements of each guardian were brought to life through live artistic performances that interwove words, movement and music into an emotional and multi-sensory experience.
The spoken word of a poet accompanied reflections on the freedom of expression, evoking both the strength and fragility of the human voice. A dancer's fluid yet bold movements illustrated the boundless creativity enabled by artistic freedom, while a singer’s voice emphasised the role of culture and the press in shaping democracy. Finally, The Matrix captivated the audience with a visually stunning digital art sequence that fused human imagination with AI-generated designs to challenge notions of the future of creativity.
By combining the structure of a classic panel discussion with the transformative power of art, "Echoes of Time: A Journey of Freedom" offered more than just a discussion. It provided a platform for shared experiences, mutual inspiration and the celebration of freedom as a universal human right.
Copyright ??EU Neighbours South,
All rights reserved.