New media can promote Middle East understanding – senior UN official

New media has helped to foster understanding in the Middle East, the top United Nations communications official said today, spotlighting the role of Facebook, Twitter and other tools in furthering dialogue.

The media, said Kiyo Akasaka, Under-Secretary-General for Communications and Public Information, told UN Radio, could create a “conducive environment” for peace in the region.

He was speaking in Lisbon, Portugal, where a two-day media seminar organized by the UN Department of Public Information (DPI) wrapped up today. The 18th such gathering, it aims to sensitize public opinion on the issue of Palestine and the peace process.

Mr. Akasaka said it is “very interesting” that Israeli and Palestinian military officials are exchanging information about the current situation, as well as their daily lives, through new media.

He also voiced hope that it would help to reduce stereotypes creating fear and uncertainty about the future in the Middle East by boosting communication.

Israeli and Jordanian journalists taking part in a workshop this morning said that they could triple or even quadruple dialogue, the official said.

“Before people could meet in a seminar like this,” but it was very difficult for them to continue exchanging information afterwards, he said.

More of these exchanges are needed, especially among journalists since they can reach wide audiences, Mr. Akasaka added.

“People do understand the difficulties [in the Middle East], but rather than just blaming each other,” it is important to facilitate dialogue, he stressed.

In his message to the start of the seminar yesterday, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon pointed to the opportunities new media poses in reaching young people.

“I encourage young Israelis and Palestinians to use these new tools to spread positive messages that will encourage a culture of peace, coexistence and better understanding between their people,” he said in an address delivered by Mr. Akasaka.

The focus of this year’s gathering was the role of women from both sides in achieving security in the Middle East, with this year marking the 10th anniversary of the adoption of the historic Security Council resolution 1325, which stresses the importance of giving women equal participation and full involvement in peace and security matters.

The seminar heard from women journalists who “were very vocal” in calling for a more active role on the part of the media, women and civil society, the Under-Secretary-General said.

More than 100 people from the region, including both Israelis and Palestinians, and from the rest of the world took part in the seminar, including Government officials, representatives of civil society organizations, academics and journalists.

Five panel sessions were held during the seminar on topics such as the role of the Israeli and Palestinian media in reducing tensions and the part that mayors from both sides can play in advancing peace.

The participants included Jorge Sampaio, the former Portuguese president and Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon’s High Representative for the Alliance of Civilizations, set up under UN auspices to promote better cross-cultural relations worldwide, and Robert Serry, the UN Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process.