European Association of Regional Televisions (CIRCOM) offers Vicinities Europe to all its member stations

Vicinities Europe, a pan-European version of the successful Balkan talk show Vicinities (a joint initiative of the European Fund for the Balkans and the Center for Democracy and Reconciliation in Southeast Europe) was officially offered for broadcasting to all the member stations of the CIRCOM Regional Network. Vicinities Europe was recognized as a proven concept, since the original show on which it is based is one of the most-viewed shows on a variety of TV stations across the Balkans. The pan-European idea arose in 2013 when several Members of the European Parliament supported the special event in the EP that highlighted the impact of the original Vicinities show in the region. "We do not have such a TV show in Europe. Vicinities contributes to reconciliation, changing people’s mindsets," one MEP said and called upon the creation of something similar in Europe. Expert guests from across Europe gather in one studio with a live audience to discuss and debate issues that transcend borders-migration, youth unemployment, climate change, to name a few ideas. So far, two pilot shows have been produced: the first show is on the Migrant and Refugee Crisis in Europe, and the second, called Quo Vadis, Europe?, looks at the future of Europe in the light of recent events. The two episodes were funded by ERSTE Foundation, produced by the Center for Democracy and Reconciliation in Southeast Europe, and led by the journalists Tim Judah as co-host and Susan Nadeau as editor and co-host. A number of CIRCOM member stations have already chosen to broadcast the shows, and the two episodes are available free of charge to any interested CIRCOM member station. CIRCOM Regional is the Professional Association of Regional Public Service Television in Europe, which was formed as a unique network in Europe for promotion and more efficient coordination of international audio-visual programmes. Its mission is to develop relations with the European Institutions -- the European Commission, the Council of Europe and the European Parliament -- and increase co-operative ventures with other European audio-visual organisations, the various international and national partners and local and regional authorities. Check the links for more info: http://www.circom-regional.eu/media-news-hidmn/874-vicinities-europe-project https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bPPD9qCoPu8