Ist das nicht schön ?

Zum Welttag der Pressefreiheit zeigt sich die U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) in einem besonderen Licht und erläutert in einer gerade veröffentlichten Pressemitteilung:

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„USAID Increases Support for Media and Press Freedom in Ukraine“

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„The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) is providing an additional $1.25 million to the U-MEDIA program in Ukraine, a project of Internews and its Ukrainian partner organizations aimed at supporting Ukrainian media outlets as they prepare for the Ukrainian presidential election on May 25th. Members of the media in Ukraine have faced serious challenges and dangers over the past several months. More than 500 journalists have been harassed, beaten, abducted and one journalist killed, since November. Media outlets have been attacked and news-gathering equipment has been seized or destroyed.

“USAID supports a strong and independent media in Ukraine,”

said Paige Alexander, Assistant Administrator for the Bureau for Europe and Eurasia (E&E).

“This additional funding will help to protect vulnerable journalists while also advancing press freedoms and democratic governance in Ukraine.”

USAID supports respect for universal values around the world as central to its mission to end extreme poverty and promote resilient, democratic societies. The agency’s work is committed to increasing awareness, creating strong legal foundations for independent media and civil society, improving government responsiveness to constituents, and supporting platforms for free and open communications.

These new USAID funds will support activities such as:

• Webinars on media rights and responsibilities will be conducted in preparation for the presidential and local election campaigns, and regional training seminars will be conducted on journalistic legal and professional standards during an election. Voter education public service announcements will be produced and distributed to media outlets across Ukraine.
• Joint public forums and town hall discussions will cover constitutional reform in the context of the Presidential election, political processes between the expected rounds one and two of the election, analysis of candidate platforms, local election procedures, Ukrainian unity, and implications of EU integration.
• Assistance will be provided to 1^st Ukrainian Channel and a local foundation to produce and broadcast debates between the presidential candidates, as well as post-debate webcasts.
• Cross-regional exchanges will link 45 journalists, editors and bloggers to increase information available to citizens about political reforms, economic and social issues, and the May 25 presidential elections.  Small grants for content production will be provided to cover news events, and the creation of regional news and information web portals and live webcasts.
• Physical and digital security training for journalists included best practices for safe Internet and mobile communications use, as well as how to avoid or disengage from dangerous situations when covering civil unrest.

USAID is supporting the Government of Ukraine as it implements constitutional and electoral reforms that fulfill its stated goal of becoming a fully inclusive and economically stable democracy. The U.S. government has invested $11.4 million to support a transparent and democratic election process in Ukraine. Programs support improvements to the electoral framework; voter education and civic participation; transparent and effective election administration; open and responsive political competition; effective oversight of election processes; election security and redress of infractions; and a diverse, balanced and policy-focused media environment.“

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For Immediate Release – Friday, May 2, 2014 – USAID Press Office – 202-712-4320 | Email: USAIDPressOfficers@usaid.gov

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Press Release USAID Press Office

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Allerbesten Dank für diese tolle Initiative an die THE AMERICAN PEOPLE !

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Ihr Oeconomicus

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Zu weiteren Erläuterungen … schlag nach bei wiki:

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Die United States Agency for International Development (USAID, zu dt.: „Behörde der Vereinigten Staaten für internationale Entwicklung“) ist eine Behörde der Vereinigten Staaten für Entwicklungszusammenarbeit.
Die unabhängige Behörde mit Sitz in Washington, D.C. (Ronald Reagan Building) koordiniert die gesamten Aktivitäten der Außenpolitik der Vereinigten Staaten im Bereich der Entwicklungszusammenarbeit.
Das Akronym der Behörde, das zum Beispiel auch auf ihren Flugzeugen zu sehen ist, setzt sich zusammen aus US für „United States“ und AID, dem englischen Begriff für „Hilfe“.

USAID stützt die Außenpolitik der Vereinigten Staaten in den Bereichen:

• Wirtschaftswachstum, Landwirtschaft und Handel
• Gesundheitspolitik
• Demokratie und Stärkung der Zivilgesellschaft
• Privatisierung des öffentlichen Sektors und auf globale Marktöffnung zielende Reformen
• Katastrophenhilfe
• und – vor allem in Lateinamerika – durch die Verbrechens- und Drogenbekämpfung („combatting the drug trade“) und Schaffung „sicherer Zonen“.

USAID arbeitet in vier Regionen der Welt:

• Subsahara-Afrika (Schwerpunkt ist hier Kenia)
• Asien und Naher Osten (z.B. Äygpten, palästinensische Gebiete, Irak, Afghanistan, Pakistan)
• Lateinamerika (Schwerpunkte El Salvador u.a.) und Karibik
• Europa (vor allem in der Ukraine, in Moldawien, Bulgarien, Rumänien, Makedonien, Albanien, Litauen) und Eurasien (vor allem in Georgien, Armenien und den anderen Staaten des Silk Road Corridor)

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