DW Akademie's Global Reference Group: New Term – New Members
The group of media and media development experts from Africa, Asia, Europe, Latin America and the MENA region met for the first time in Bonn, kicking off their one-year term and to continue the good work of the international committee of initial members who served in the first two years.
Their mission: to offer an outside view, to determine their own topics and to contribute their wide range of experience and expertise. DW Akademie's goal is to take even greater account of the diverse regional perspectives in strategic decision-making. In doing so, it aims to further strengthen the relevance and impact of its work with partners worldwide.
DW Akademie is active in around 60 countries and, together with local partner organizations, advocates for freedom of the media and of expression, as well as free access to information.
Founded in June 2024, the Global Reference Group meets at least three times annually. Many of its members have already worked with DW Akademie. All of them are internationally recognized media experts:
- Blandine Angbako, Centre for Education for a Sustainable Society (ESD Centre), Côte d'Ivoire
- Htaike Htaike Aung, Myanmar Internet Project, Myanmar
- Dr. Soumaya Berjeb, Institute of Press and Information Sciences (IPSI), Tunesia
- Erick Huerta Velázquez, Redes por la Diversidad, Equidad y Sustentabilidad A.C. (REDES A.C.), Mexico
- Natalia Kurdiukova, Kharkiv Media Hub, Ukraine
- Zenzele Ndebele, Centre for Innovation and Technology Zimbabwe (CITEZW), Zimbabwe
- Michelle Nogales, Muy Waso, Bolivia and
- Hamouda Soubhi, Forum des Alternatives Maroc (FMAS), Morocco.
Four new members were welcomed in June 2026:
- Ayman Mhanna, Samir Kassir Foundation (SKF), Lebanon
- Catherine Gicheru, Africa Women Journalism Project (AWJP), Kenya
- Daniel Nardin, Amazonia Vox, Brazil and
- Prof. Dr. Jude Genilo, University of Liberal Arts Bangladesh (ULAB), Philippines.
DW Akademie would like to thank the departing board members Mira Milosevic, Nardim Nashif and Odanga Madung for their valuable and constructive cooperation.
About DW Akademie
DW Akademie is Deutsche Welle's center for international media development, journalistic education and training, and knowledge transfer. With its projects, it strengthens the human right to freedom of expression and unhindered access to information. DW Akademie empowers people around the world to make free decisions based on reliable facts and constructive dialogue. DW Akademie is a strategic partner of the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development and is active in around 60 developing and emerging countries worldwide.
Press contact
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