Eastern Mediterranean University, Communication and Media Studies Faculty academic staff member Assist. Prof. Dr. Metin Ersoy attended a conference entitled “Peace Perspectives on Europe’s Future” in Norway. Attended by world famous peace sholars, the conference hosted discussions on peace in Europe and the world. The conference also addressed the refugee crisis throughout the world and hosted evaluations specifying the responsibilities of media, politicians and states on the said problem.
Organised by European Peace Research Association (EuPRA), 9th Biennial Conference was hosted by the Arctic University of Norway in Tromsø. Assist. Prof. Dr. Metin Ersoy, who participated in the conference as the secretary general of the European Peace Research Association, delivered a presentation entitled “New Digital Public Sphere and Democratic Peace Theory”. The conference hosted around 150 participants exchanging views on peace in Europe and throughout the world.
Assist. Prof. Dr. Metin Ersoy highlighted the importance and benefit of the biennale which aims to pose contributions towards peace both in Europe and throughout hte world. Assist. Prof. Dr. Ersoy also stated that the conference also hosted discussions on the increasing refugee crisis triggered by civil war, terrorism and interventionism, in Europe and the Middle East.
Stating that he started his postgraduate and doctoral degree studies 15 years ago on the role of media in conflict areas and peace journalism, Assist. Prof. Dr. Dr. Ersoy added that Eastern Mediterranean University has been posing serious contributions to events and activities organised within the framework of peace journalism. Journalists should have a clear understanding of the increasing amount conflict and wars throughout the world and mainly in the Middle East. A conscious journalist supports solution not the conflict.
Assist. Prof. Dr. Ersoy also added that peace journalism may be better applied in places like Cyprus, where the conflict exists in minds. Ersoy put forth that if the world focuses on the principles, values and targets envisaged by peace journalism, the empathy and understanding between parties may be enhanced. Ersoy finally stated that in this way, journalists may inform communities about prospective peace targets and prepare them for the peace process, accordingly.
