EMD İzmir Şubesi

         As the members of İzmir branch of Economic Correspondents Association(ECA), we have been working on a project to develop multilateral relations between Mediterranian coastal cities.  This project, seeks to improve cooperation among coastal Mediterranian cities and towns with their mainly means of existance are their harbors, and also foresees the establishment of a news network via internet.

This news portal, planned to work as an agency, will be composed of news covered by correspondents of difeerent cities on stories about seas and sea-related issues.

            We would like to give brief information about our Association and city before giving further details on Project.

            İzmir, as the third biggest city with 3 and a half million population, stands as Turkey’s door to western world. İzmir harbor, which has a historical importance in the region, still stands as one of the major export point of Turkey, following İstanbul in export gradation.

            İzmir, with its history of 8 thousand years, is accepted as the most advantaged city on subjects such as health, education. İzmir has 7 universities, 16 industrial zones, 2 free zones and 2 high technology zones. İzmir also has a reputation of ”city of fairs”, more than 30 expertise fairs are arranged annualy in İzmir. Among these fairs, theres’s İzmir International Fair, which was arranged for the 78th times this year, is one of the oldest international fairs in the world.

 

PURPOSES OF THE PROJECT

 

            Making concrete steps in order to maintain rapprochment on economic, social and cultural areas among harbor cities, creating network via internet,

Increase awareness among journalists of these coastal towns and creating platform for concrete cooperation,

            Creating platform for the further aim of establishing Union of Journalists of Mediterranian Harbor Cities,

            Protection of Mediterranian environmental and cultural heritage, cooperation to carry his heritage to coming generations,

            Encouraging the journalists of harbor cities to make researches and stories and providing them to earn side incomes,

            Breaking the prejudices among Mediterranian people and provide more information and awareness.

 

 

1. STEP: CREATING NEWS NETWORK

 

            Having a international domain that reflects project spirit. Network will publish English and languages of member countries, will be upgraded daily, and also will inclide discussion forums,

            Deciding of news entry system, (on this subject, the main server of the site is planned to be established in İzmir, but the presidency of the union is planned to be held by all member cities with rotation)

            Deciding of moderators, who will coordinate the news access to system.

Moderators will put news and stories on Mediterranian related issues to the network. With this, for instance a journalist of Alexandria will have the opportunity to learn news about a research in a Pireaus university on poisonous alga. Or, İzmir will be informed a study to overcome drought made in Tripoli.

            Network will include news of Mediterranian coastal towns and cities on sea tourism, shipping trade, economy, cultural and historical heritages, environmental issues and threats. Not only the published news will appear, also the journalists will be encouraged to make special covers and researches. The joint studies and stories will also contribute to rapprochment.

            This network is planned to serve as a source for nonmember press institutions to learn about Mediterranian. Also the site will appear on press a a source of news itself. For instance, a newspaper will publish the news on poisonous alga in Pireaus by showing the site as a source.

            Among current issues, the site will also have stories and information on history, current structure, projects of harbor cities. This will also contribute increase in tourism and trade activities.

            This network also aims to create a common and critical language for journalism.

The site will also serve a platform for introducing literal and art related with Mediterranian culture.

 

 

2. STEP : UNION OF JOURNALISTS

 

            Due to the opinions of members, Union of Journalists of Mediterranian Harbor Cities will either be established before or after the establishment of news network.

            This Union will work within the framework of principals explained above and contribute to have close cooperation on concrete projects and also arrange organizations which will bring members together in rotational periods.

            With the establishment of Union and network, there will be a open door for the cooperation for coastal cities of Mediterranian.

 

BUDGET FORECAST

 

            A group of journalist in İzmir have been working on this project for a couple of months and, offically first time it is introduced. All possible members should take this report as a draft, since it will be developed with your contribution.

            The first fiscal steps of the project will be the costs of site construction and moderator charge. For the server, software and other infrastructural fees for comprehensive, dependable, international network will take approximately 2500-3000 USD.

            Also, there will be costs due to the charges of part time or full time moderators, interpreters. The journalist, that covers special reports only for the network will also planned to have copryright.

            The network will also have addvertisement incomes due to its popularity. These incomes will be used to realize Union activities. Neithen site, nor Agency will have profit concerns.

            To fulfill these aims, there will be applications to international organisations. Since our societies can create joint budget, naturally the project will start sooner. All possible members can talk to institutions in their countries for seeking support.

 

CONCLUSION

 

            This project mentioned above is designed to bring more understanding and awareness among people in Mediterranian. Project aims to contribute peace, respect and friendship in the region and open to all journalists, journalist associations and societies of coastal towns and cities in Mediterranian.

            Project should also be shaped in harmony with European Union spirit and seek to have support from EU programmes.

            We expect support of all correspondents and journalists. Beginning with ECA, all occupation organisations gave their full support to the project in İzmir. We hope, you will help us carrying this project to the necessary organisations in your countries. Since they believe in this project like we did, with a small budget, we can make a start.

            We are open to all critics and ideas, if you have, please do not hesitate to contact us.

            Thank you for your cooperation and contribution to the future of Mediterranian.