Today, at the Embassy of Denmark in Canberra, and hosted by Her Excellency Ms Pernille Dahler Kardel, Danish Ambassador to Australia, Professor Katie Stevenson, Dean of Arts, Monash University, provided the final signature for a Memorandum of Understanding that reflects a commitment by two leading organisations in Asia Pacific and Europe, to changing the global news culture and rebuilding media integrity.
The Memorandum officially establishes the Constructive Institute Asia Pacific at Monash University Faculty of Arts, in partnership with Constructive Institute in Aarhus, Denmark, and is being led by distinguished journalist, Professor Stan Grant, who was appointed to be Director of the Institute earlier this year. The Institute's central mission is to foster healthier democracies by helping journalists and news organisations apply constructive reporting through fellowship programs, best practices, reporting projects and independent academic research.
"Today's signing not only brings together two global organisations in a combined commitment to changing news culture for the better," said Professor Katie Stevenson.
"But it also supports Australia and Denmark's shared commitment to democratic values and recognises the critical role journalism has to play in promoting those values."
Professor Stan Grant also welcomed the signing and believes that the Institute has a crucial role to play in promoting democratic conversation.
"The Institute focuses on a solutions-based, nuanced and constructive approach to journalism, which improves public discourse by steering us away from the sensationalised and polarised narratives prevalent in news reporting today." said Professor Grant.
The Constructive Institute Asia Pacific will add to Monash University Faculty of Arts' centres of excellence dedicated to exploring how changes in communication impact the ways in which people live, work, interact and connect.
"We welcome becoming part of the global constructive journalism network." said Helen Boyd, General Manager, Faculty of Arts, Monash University.
"This agreement reinforces Monash Arts' position at the forefront of tackling the global challenges that come with an ever evolving media landscape and underscores our ongoing commitment to promoting democratic dialogue. "
The Constructive Institute Asia Pacific is set to launch in Melbourne in early 2024.
