Fifteen years after the unique events of 1989 that led to the fall of Communism in Central and Eastern Europe and the collapse of the Soviet Union, the International Press Institute (IPI) will hold its World Congress and 53rd General Assembly in Warsaw, Poland, in May 2004.
The themes of the Congress will reflect the incredible story of transition from Communism to European Union membership (Poland, along with several other countries in the region, are set to join the EU on 1 May 2004), with prominent speakers and panelists analysing the role of the media in achieving freedom and democracy in the former Communist states of Central and Eastern Europe; the state of press freedom in the former Soviet Union; and the ongoing debate over the future of the EU’s borders.
Other topics dealing with press freedom and the communications industry will focus on implementing good journalistic practices; the problems of media concentration; and transborder investment by international media groups.
There will also be an array of social events, as well as sightseeing and post-Congress tours to places of great cultural and historical interest – including Cracow, one of the most beautiful cities in Europe, the port city of Gdansk, the Tatra Mountains and the Mazurian Lake District – where participants will be able to enjoy the traditional hospitality of the Polish people.
Some 500 media representatives and their guests are expected to attend the IPI World Congress, which will be held at the Sheraton Warsaw Hotel from 15-18 May 2004.
For Congress programme updates, as well as details regarding sightseeing and accompanying persons’ tours, post-Congress tours and registration instructions, please visit the IPI Warsaw Congress website.
As a global network of editors, media executives and leading journalists from newspapers, magazines, broadcasting organisations and news agencies in over 120 countries, IPI is dedicated to safeguarding freedom of the press, promoting the free exchange of news, and improving the practices of journalism.
