The European Centre for Conflict Prevention (ECCP) is co-hosting a seminar in Amsterdam, the Netherlands, on 15 December to examine the media's potential for supporting peace-building in conflict zones.

ECCP, Search for Common Ground and the Institute for Media, Policy and Civil Society (IMPACS) have invited journalists, media assistance organisations and government agencies to the seminar to show how media can play a constructive role in defusing conflict and creating greater understanding between communities.

"The media have an enormous positive potential in building peace ? by providing and sharing unbiased information, presenting diverse views and promoting respect for human rights and peaceful co-existence," ECCP says.

Keynote speakers will include John Marks of Search for Common Ground and Shauna Sylvester of IMPACS. Media and peace building organisations in Burundi, Sri Lanka and Afghanistan will also give presentations on their work and share best practices.

A recently published book "The Power of the Media: A Handbook for Peace-builders" will also be launched and presented to the Dutch Minister of Development Co-operation.

For more information, contact Wouter Dol: w.dol@conflict-prevention.net

Visit these links:
- ECCP: http://www.euconflict.org/
- Search for Common Ground: http://www.sfcg.org/
- IMPACS: http://www.impacs.org/