Visit to London s financial district concludes Azerbaijan project

The Thomson Foundation's year-long project with a group of business journalists from Azerbaijan concluded with a visit to London's financial institutions. Trainer Dan Mason reports on how the project has developed these journalists personally and professionally.

A year-long project to improve the English language and business journalism skills of journalists from Azerbaijan came to an end after an action-packed week in London.

Past, present and future The ten journalists, working across Azerbaijan's broadcast, print and online media, gained an insight into the past, present and future of London's commercial power during a week of workshops and visits to key business, media and cultural organisations.

The visit marked the culmination of the Azerbaijan Business Journalism Project, led by the British Council Azerbaijan with sponsors Pasha Bank. In addition to English language training, the journalists attended a series of workshops in Baku led by Thomson Foundation trainers.

There were numerous highlights to the week, including visits to the London Metal Exchange the last exchange in Europe where global deals are still made face-to-face on the dealing floor and London Stock Exchange.

Nautical London The journalists took a journey into London's commercial past as a shipping capital during a visit to Greenwich, and into its vibrant future as a financial centre with a tour of Canary Wharf led by its developers. Huge investment projects in eastern Europe and elsewhere were later discussed during a meeting at the European Bank of Reconstruction and Development.

After being welcomed by Thomson Foundation patron and former chairman Lord Fowler at the Palace of Westminster for a discussion on UK press regulation, the journalists watched a debate in the House of Lords.

The group then saw how some of the UK's major news organisations are meeting the challenges of the digital age, with visits to the Guardian, ITN and Financial Times.

Cultural visits Despite the full agenda, there was still time for visits to the Azerbaijani-owned Gazelli Art House and the Azerbaijan House cultural centre, in addition to workshops on data journalism and social media.

The journalism workshops and London visits were led by Thomson Foundation trainer Dan Mason. I know these journalists well from our training in Baku and they are all motivated and skilled journalists who feel passionately about their craft, said Dan.

This project has certainly helped them to develop both personally and professionally. But to see so much and gain access to so many influential people and organisations in one of the world's great capitals provided a unique experience they will never forget.

LINK:	http://www.thomsonfoundation.org/news-and-features/2013/05/07/visit-to...
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