The project consists of a network of communication studies scholars of the most relevant institutes in different Arab countries and the Institute of Communication Studies at Freie Universität Berlin. You can find a list of the partner institutions here.
The Arab-European Association for Media and Communication Researchers (AREACORE) was founded on July 6, 2013 at the end of a workshop hosted by Freie Universität Berlin in cooperation with DAAD Germany.
The aim of this network is to establish a scientific exchange, founded on regional expertise which allows to understand media change and transformation of communicative practices in their specific local context and in globally intersecting hierarchies of power. By means of discussions and studies we will try to understand media in their trans-regional and cross-cultural dimensions taking into account global inequalities powerfully manifested in our communication infrastructure. Recognizing global hierarchies and inequalities in a postcolonial world, we commit to actively promote scientific cooperation to enhance dialogue and shed light on marginalized positions and positionalities in the field.
In addition, it is also important to actively include media change in our teaching. The network also explores how a specific, context-bound understanding of media change can be implemented in the teaching of communication studies.
Dr. Jassim & Dr. Richter during the inaugural meeting
Article on AREACORE published in the Global Media Journal – German Edition:
This short article introduces the new Arab-European Association for Media and Communication Researchers (AREACORE) as the manifestation of the necessity to strengthen area expertise in communication studies. The reasons for founding this association fit into the broader framework of de-westernization attempts, while also allowing for dialogue to take place on an equal footing. The authors invite all interested communication researchers to join the network and build up an Arab-European network of communication studies expertise.