The Conference is hosted by UNESCO and the Government of Namibia and will be a digital experience combining virtual and in-presence participation. Sessions taking place physically in Windhoek will respect physical distancing and other precautions recommended by the health authorities.
Participants wishing to travel to Namibia should indicate their preference to do so during the registration.
Who is organizing the World Press Freedom Global Conference in 2021?
The Conference is hosted by UNESCO and the Government of Namibia, and will take place on 29 April - 3 May in Windhoek.
Where does the World Press Freedom Global Conference 2021 take place?
Conference sessions will be broadcasted from the Safari Hotel at Windhoek, Namibia, the same hotel where the 1991 Windhoek Seminar took place. The Conference will be livestreamed from an online platform. You can register here to participate.
Can I attend the conference in person in Namibia?
The Conference will be mostly held virtually, so you may register and participate fully online. However, the conference will be hosting a few in-person sessions in Windhoek. Participants wishing to travel to Namibia to attend the conference should indicate their preference to do so during the registration, and will be contacted separately.
For whom is the World Press Freedom Conference?
The World Press Freedom Conference is open to everyone, including journalists and news media, policy-makers, NGOs, members of the judiciary, students, artists, businesses, academics and many others from all over the world who work in or for journalism. Registration is mandatory.
Is the World Press Freedom Conference the same thing as World Press Freedom Day?
The annual World Press Freedom Conference is the global celebration of World Press Freedom Day - a worldwide commemoration day that takes places on 3 May. There will be other World Press Freedom Day celebrations organized by UNESCO and partners. Events will take place around 3 May across the globe. You can register your event and check out our map of celebrations here.
What is World Press Freedom Day about?
World Press Freedom Day celebrates the fundamental principles of press freedom, takes stock of press freedom around the world, aims to defend the media from attacks on their independence and to pay tribute to journalists who have lost their lives in the exercise of their profession. World Press Freedom Day was proclaimed by the UN General Assembly in 1993 following a Recommendation adopted at the twenty-sixth session of UNESCO's General Conference in 1991.
Will there be sessions for all the 5 days of the conference?
There will be livestreamed sessions and events throughout the conference. The platform will remain open for a limited time for participants to revisit previous sessions, explore the exhibitions and watch films!
How do I follow the conference on social media?
We invite everyone to follow @UNESCONow in Twitter and Instagram using the hashtags #WorldPressFreedomDay and #PressFreedom.
Will I be able to view the sessions afterwards?
Sessions will be available on demand on UNESCO’s YouTube channel.
Will the Conference be postponed or canceled due to COVID-19?
The Conference will be held virtually. However, in-person elements may be adjusted depending on both the internal and Namibian policy measures for travel during the pandemic. According to the latest sanitary regulations issued by the Namibian government, permitted public gatherings will be increased from the current number of 50 to 100 persons per event, whether the event is held indoor or outdoor.
For Online Participants
Do I need to register for the online conference?
Yes, you must register to attend the Conference. Registration to the online platform is open here. Once you receive a registration confirmation, you are an officially registered! When the online platform is available, you will recive your log-in credentials.
Will the sessions be conducted live?
Some sessions are streamed live, while other events are pre-produced, and there will be exhibitions that are available all throughout the conference days.
Do I have to pay to participate in the Conference?
No, online participation is for free for all registered participants.
I am a presenter/speaker/moderator for the event. What should I do?
We will contact you directly regarding your participation. If you have not received our guidance, please contact us at wpfd@unesco.org. In any case, please register online so that you can follow all sessions.
Can I invite other people to attend the Conference?
You can invite people by directing them to the registration portal.
For in-person participants only
Do I have to register to attend the Conference in person?
Yes, you have to complete your pre-registration here and provide the necessary documentation to travel.
How can I register to attend the Conference?
Please register here and follow the steps.
Why do I have to pre-register and also register?
With pre-registration you indicate your interest in participating in the Conference. If your pre-registration is in order, you will receive an invitation to register all necessary personal credentials. Please check your spam folder or contact us at: wpfd@unesco.org
When is my registration complete?
Your registration for in-person participation is complete when this has been confirmed by the conference organizers. Please note that in-person participation is limited due to the sanitary measures and restrictions. The conference organizers therefore reserve the right to admit a limited number of speakers only. The conference organizers will let participants know directly whether they can join in person.
Do I have to pay to participate in the Conference?
No, participation is for free. You however have to cover your own transportation and accommodation in Namibia.
Can I invite other people to attend the WPFC?
You can invite people by directing them to the registration portal.
Do I need a visa to travel to Namibia and participate in the Conference?
Visa requirements depend on your nationality. Please consult http://www.embnamibia.at/visa-information/ for visa requirements. Should there be visa-on-arrival arrangements for conference participants, this will be communicated on the website and directly by the conference organizers.
When should I apply for a visa?
You should apply as soon as possible. Please consult http://www.embnamibia.at/visa-information/ for visa requirements.
Where can I find practical information about attending the Conference in person?
A note regarding travel to Nambia will be made available on the website as soon as possible.
Visa
I need an invitation letter to apply for my visa. Can the conference organizers provide me with one?
If the conference organizers admit you for in-person participation and should an invitation letter be necessary for your visa requrements, they can provide you with an invitation letter. Please contact us at wpfd@unesco.org and clearly mention your full name as written in your passport, your identification document number and nationality. Please note that providing you with a letter takes a minimum of 4 working days.
Will the costs of my visa be covered by the organizers?
You will be responsible for covering the costs of your visa. Information of visa costs can be found here: http://www.embnamibia.at/visa-fees/