The Sharjah Press Club (SPC) said it has signed a co-operation agreement with Thomson Reuters Foundation, to boost co-operation between the two sides in achieving common media goals.

SPC, a unit of the Sharjah Government Media Bureau (SGMB), said as per the deal, the duo will co-operate in the development and implementation of joint training programmes and projects that will serve journalists and media professionals in the country, and exchange views and development ideas in the presentation of the media message.

The agreement will also include introduction of specialised training programmes and workshops by Thomson Reuters Foundation for members of the Sharjah Press Club, enhancing their theoretical and practical understanding of media and its various tools, it stated.

It is important for media organisations in Sharjah to open up to diverse global experiences by building bridges of cooperation with leading international media organisations, remarked Sheikh Sultan bin Ahmed Al Qasimi, the chairman of SMC, after signing the agreement with Nicolas Bellet, the director of Journalism and Media Programmes at the Thomson Reuters Foundation, in London.

This is essential to achieve the development goals and objectives of the media sector in the emirate and to reach new horizons of progress in the media message, he added.

Al Qasimi expressed confidence that the cooperation agreement between the SPC and Thomson Reuters Foundation would have a positive impact on the Club's efforts to serve the media fraternity in the country, enhancing their experience, knowledge and prospects of professional development.

He pointed out that the SPC has been working throughout the year as part of its strategic plan and the SGMB vision to come up with various initiatives and activities aimed at serving journalists and media professionals in general and the SPC members in particular, he noted.

Monique Villa, the chief executive of the Thomson Reuters Foundation, said: "We are delighted to embark on this partnership with the Sharjah Press Club and spread best journalism practices across the region."

"The Thomson Reuters Foundation has been working in the Gulf for many years, bringing with its training its principles of accuracy, impartiality and independence and integrity," she added.-TradeArabia News Service