Two four-day workshops on the training of trainers--one in Cairo set for September 4-8, the other in Amman, Jordan, October 23-27; a workshop on advanced Internet for journalists in Beirut, Lebanon, October 4-7; a "masterclass" for some of the best political cartoonists from Europe and the eastern Mediterranean to be held in Malta, October 30-November 2; a round table conference on the theme of culture and communication in the global information society, scheduled in Amman in December--that is the fall program for Jemstone, according its recent newsletter.

Jemstone Network, a media training and consultancy network with headquarters in Amman, Jordan, is the biggest of the European Union's Med Media projects. Its goal is to increase contacts and understanding among journalists in Europe, the Middle East and North Africa. Jemstone designs and delivers senior-level workshops and seminars for all branches of the media throughout the eastern Mediterranean. In early September, Jemstone Network will assemble 60 chief editors and senior managers from leading media organizations in Marrakech, Morocco, to advise it on its programs for the next two years. Also in Marrakech, Jemstone is running several events with the World Bank, to support the Mediterranean Development Forum, including a senior editors' symposium. For more information about Jemstone Network visit http://www.jemstone.net

The workshops on training of trainers are nearly full; however, places are still available for journalists and managers who want to learn to be part-time trainers. The workshop on advanced Internet for journalists is a rerun of Jemstone's heavily oversubscribed Internet course earlier this year. The course is for journalists already using Internet. Participants will exchange ideas and learn more about creating web sites, searching for information and sending e-mail.

The political cartoonists at the Malta meeting will work on craft skills, discuss their role and consider whether cartoons create and sustain stereotypes and increase tensions.

The agenda for the round table conference, which takes place on the of the 50th anniversary of the Declaration of Human Rights, includes such issues as the impact of freedom of expression on culture and national identity; the relationships among information technology, democracy and development; and the role institutions, laws and codes of conduct in any framework of communications.

To participate in any of these events, apply as soon as possible by fax or e-mail with a short curriculum vitae to the Jemstone Network, P.O. Box 850191, Amman 11185, Jordan. Tel: (962-6) 585-9980. Fax: (962-6) 581-9552. E-mail: tudor@jemstone.net.