Dubai to host 2007 General Assembly of International Association of Press Clubs

Dubai Press Club is the founding member of the IAPC and serves as the permanent General Secretariat of the Association.

This year's General Assembly in London on the 1st and 2nd of June discussed the agenda for the year and charted out steps to further broaden its services and leverage the competitive advantages that exist between IAPC members.

The meeting marked the signing of the London Declaration by the members of the International Association of Press Clubs and the European Federation of Press Clubs.

The Declaration states - "We, representatives of Press Clubs from around the world, have met in London to discuss matters of common interest and to chart a way forward that involves our organizations more closely in maintaining independent media, enlarging freedom of the press and improving good governance in our societies."

It goes on to add, "We extend the hand of friendship to all journalists who strive to maintain high standards of integrity, accuracy and honesty in their work. We encourage them to joint action, both within their own societies in the framework of local and national Press Clubs and internationally through the worldwide network of Press Clubs."

British journalist and academic and former Editor of The Observer newspaper Donald Trelford is the President of the International Association of Press Clubs and Chairman of the London Press Club.

Addressing the delegates of the IAPC and the European Federation of Press Clubs Trelford said: "Press clubs should be allowed to develop in their own ways in their own countries, according to the wishes and needs of their own members.

"At the same time, I think it is important to remember also that we have some common ideals. Above all, we believe in freedom of speech and freedom of expression. We believe in the promotion of professional standards, such as integrity, accuracy and honesty. We believe press clubs can encourage and develop these standards."

He added, "For that reason we have signed what is known as the London Declaration, in which all our member clubs commit themselves to these ideals and to widening the family of press clubs around the world."

The London Press Club will hold the Presidency of the IAPC for the year 2006-07. The Presidency is rotational and is decided through election by the IAPC member Press Clubs.

The London General Assembly was the largest gathering of Press Clubs in the world with over 26 Press Clubs represented including Press Clubs from Europe, America, Far East, Asia, Africa and the Middle East.

Mohammed Al Mansoori, Executive Director of the Dubai Press Club, stated: "It was extremely gratifying to witness such a huge participation from across four continents.

"The interactive sessions proved that there is need to engage more members of the press from various parts of the world to set up their own press clubs, which could then be integrated into the wider global body of the International Association of Press Clubs," Al Mansoori said.

"The London meeting also underlined one of the main objectives of the IAPC, which is to encourage the formation of press clubs in parts of the world where a collective of journalists as yet does not exist.

"We believe that by doing so, we shall enhance better reporting and freedom of expression," Al Mansoori added.

The London General Assembly included a comprehensive professional programme that saw addresses by The Guardian Editor, Alan Rusbridger on 'Editing a major national daily' and by Simon Waldman, Director of digital publishing for The Guardian/Observer Group on 'The electronic revolution in newspaper publishing'.

The two-day meeting included a session on 'Selling a difficult story: reporting Europe in London' addressed by European Commission Representative in the UK, Reijo Kemppinen and a guided tour of Reuters Newsroom and presentation on Reuters' worldwide activities.

Membership of the International Association of Press Clubs includes all members of the European Federation of Press Clubs, Geneva Press Club, Press Club de France, Dubai Press Club, Foreign Correspondent's Club Hong Kong, London Press Club, Foreign Correspondent's Club of South Asia - New Delhi, Singapore Press Club, Press Club Concordia - Vienna, Munich Press Club and Foreign Correspondents Association - Singapore. The list is growing with several new Press Clubs applying for membership at the London meeting.