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University of Sudbury journalism prof taking class home with him to Burundi

BY HEIDI ULRICHSEN heidi@northernlife.
BY HEIDI ULRICHSEN

About 20 students enrolled in the University of Sudbury?s new French-language communications program are planning a two-week trip to Burundi next spring to make a documentary and learn about life in the Third World.

One of the professors in the federated university?s program, Fabian Chishahgo, is originally from Burundi. He wants to show his students how Burundians are rebuilding after 10 years of war.

The students will meet orphans and former child soldiers, and will participate in a media ethics conference with Burundian journalists and students.

Their documentary will likely focus on the people the students meet and their discoveries about life in Africa, says France Jodoin, co-ordinator of the communications program.

?They?ll be meeting other students who went through a terrible tragedy, which is war. They?ll meet students who are trying to re-build their country,? she says.

?If they?re interested in being a journalist, it?s a great experience, being in a country that went through a war that was often nourished by the media...Lots of the hatred was motivated by the radio stations.?

Aspiring journalists need to hear stories like this to learn the power of the media, Jodoin says.

?It shows how the propaganda can go very wrong. The media are rebuilding their credibility in Burundi. They are trying to do something good for their people during the rebuilding of their country,? she says.

Students will be fundraising for the trip over the next year by holding bingos, bake sales and a concert with African drummers.

Jodoin is also excited about an upcoming French-language speech at the University of Sudbury by well-known journalist Chantal Hebert. She will be speaking about current news items at the Salle Canisius Nov. 23 at 7 pm.

Hebert is a national affairs writer with The Toronto Star, as well as a guest columnist for Le Devoir. She is also a political panelist on CBC television?s The National.

The University of Sudbury?s francophone communications program was started in 2004 because there is a demand for bilingual reporters and public relations professionals, says Jodoin.

About nine students are enrolled in the program full-time, and 120 are taking courses as electives.

?In the media, they are always looking for journalists who are from the region and who can speak French. Very often they hire people from Quebec, but they would prefer to hire people from here,? she says.

?In the agencies for public relations, they are looking for people who can be fluent in French and English and write well in French. It?s one thing to say you are bilingual, but if you have to write a press release or do a presentation, you have to have good French.?

Students learn media theory and some practical skills in their first two years, and then concentrate on either communications or journalism in their last two years. In their fourth year, they are expected to complete a 200-hour placement in the field they?ve chosen.

The program is developing partnerships with College Boreal, Huntington University?s English-language communications program, Cambrian College?s journalism program and local media organizations.

To learn more about the program, Hebert?s appearance or to contribute to the students? trip, phone Jodoin at 673-5661, ext. 264.



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