On 26 November, the International Committee of the Red Cross Mission in Turkmenistan held a seminar on communications and public relations for employees and volunteers of the National Red Crescent Society of Turkmenistan (NRCST). The aim was to strengthen their skills in information work, according to the state news agency ‘Turkmenistan: Golden age’.

The meeting was attended by representatives of the NRCST, volunteers and journalists. The seminar was conducted by Ermek Baysalov, ICRC Regional Communications Coordinator for Central Asia. He spoke about practices for working with the media and approaches to covering humanitarian issues. Participants discussed tools for interacting with the press and ways to accurately convey information.

A separate section was devoted to practical exercises. Participants tried to apply the materials they had received and expressed their willingness to continue cooperation. Mihail Rahmanov, Head of the ICRC Mission in Turkmenistan, noted that this was the first event where journalists and humanitarian workers jointly discussed methods of presenting socially significant information. According to him, the meeting provided an opportunity to exchange experiences and develop common approaches.