Al-Jazeera Head to Open Religion Communicators Council Convention

[Religion Communicators Council <religioncommunicatorscouncil@gmail.com>]

New York, NY -- Dr. Abderrahim Foukara, Head of Operations for
Al-Jazerra’s United States Branch, will open the 2011 Religion
Communicators Council (RCC) Convention. Speaking on the topic,
“Worldwide Communications in the New Millennia,” Foukara will share
insights building on his experience working for the media outlets
Al-Jazerra and BBC, along with his reputation as a valued international
event analyst. He will discuss his observations of the fast moving
events in Egypt and the Middle East.

The 82nd RCC annual convention, “Communicating Outside the Box” will be
held March 31-April 2, 2011 in Little Rock, Arkansas. The convention
boasts an impressive array of speakers and workshops addressing the
effects of technological advances, social media, economic pressures, and
political developments on religious communicators and the communities
they serve.

In addition to Foukara, plenary speakers include Paul Monteiro,
Associate Director of the White House Office of Public Engagement, James
“Skip” Rutherford, William J. Clinton Professor and Dean of the
University of Arkansas Clinton School of Public Service and Lorri Allen,
author of Be A Newsmaker: Master the Media with Clarity, Command, &
Credibility.

Workshops provide participants with the opportunity to engage industry
experts, increase their skill sets and address contemporary ethical
concerns. Workshops cover topics such as “Getting Covered by National
Media,” “Social Media” and “Gender and the News Media.”

The convention also will host the 2011 Wilbur Awards banquet, April 2,
which honors the work of individuals in secular media who communicate
religious issues, values and themes with the utmost professionalism,
fairness and honesty. Past award recipients include Newsweek’s Lisa
Miller, Mitch Albom, and David Walters of The Washington Post.

For more information about the convention or the Wilbur Awards visit:
www.religioncommunicators.org <http://www.religioncommunicators.org/>.

Registration is now open. The deadline for reduced rate hotel
reservations is March 1. Call 501-687-7700 or register online
<http://www.arumc.org/evt_religion_communicators_council_annual_meeting.php >.

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> About the Religion Communicators Council:
> The Religion Communicators Council
> <http://www.religioncommunicators.org/> is an interfaith association of
> more than 500 religion communicators working in print and electronic
> communication, advertising, and public relations. Members represent
> Baha'i, Christian, Hindu, Jewish and Muslim faith communities. Founded
> in 1929, the council is the oldest public relations professional
> association in the United States.

> Contact:
> Shirley Struchen
> sstruchen@rcn.com <mailto:sstruchen@rcn.com
> 212.870.2402