Around 30 media professionals from 20 countries participated in the European Journalist’s Conference, in Kiev on September 27-29, 2012.  The event was organized by The Media Project. The first evening was dedicated to the subject of "The Church, society and the media in Ukraine."  Journalist and theologian Anatoly Babinsky presented report on that subject.

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Friday and Saturday were dedicated to dissociation of thematic sessions such as: “The Social Network Revolution: How Facebook, Twitter and a million blogs are re-defining the Media (and everything else)” Speaker: Jochen May (Germany). “New (media) technologies challenging – and changing – European culture and societies” Speaker: Markus Spieker (Germany) "Covering the poor and underprivileged - A challenge from India" Speaker: Jennifer Arul (India). “Silencing media in Europe: The New Blasphemy Laws” Speaker: Paul Marshall (USA).

Saturday morning, the participants made brief presentation on the situation in the media in each different country.  Then the whole group went on a trip to Kiev. The target was to see two main objects in Kiev: Kiev-Pechersk Lavra, and Chernobyl Museum in Podol.

The conference ended with dinned in one of the restaurants in Kiev. Markus Spieker, political observer from Germany summarized the three-day communication, emphasizing the role of personal Christian faith in the professional work of journalists.

Arnie Feldstad, executive director of The Media Project said: “I was impressed and encouraged with the way several of the participants expressed how this conference had a special impact on their lives and helped them put into words what their values and faith means to them as journalists, and how conversations and new friends during the days in Kiev gave new encouragements in their lives.” (More Dr. Arne Fjeldstad's reflections - here!)

Organizational partner of the European Journalist’s Conference in Ukraine became the Novomedia Association as well.  The president of “Novomedia” Ruslan Kukharchuk said: "We have two reasons to be happy and grateful. First of all, it's nice that Ukraine was selected to host the European Journalist’s Conference. Second, Novomedia Association puts a lot of effort to grow internationally right now. Therefore, to be a partner in this conference is an honor for us."

Reminder: The previous European Journalist’s Conference was in Prague (Czech Republic) in 2008.