Brussels, June 29, 2009 (SIGNIS) - Doctor Zilda Arns Neumann, a paediatric and public health physician and founder of Pastoral da Criança (Children’s Pastoral Action) in Brazil, will give the opening address of the SIGNIS World Congress 2009 centred on the theme of “Media for a Culture of Peace – Children’s Rights, Tomorrow’s Promise”.

Dr Arns Neumann is the founder and international coordinator of Pastoral da Criança, an ecumenical organization of the National Conference of Bishops of Brazil (CNBB). Pastoral da Criança helps 1,8 million children and pregnant women in poor Brazilian communities. She is also the founder and national coordinator of Pastoral Action for Elderly People. From 1994 to 1996, she was a member of the Brazilian National Council of Children’s and Adolescent’s Rights (Conanda). As the result of her commitment to children’s rights, she has been awarded a number of prizes, such as the Special Honour by UNICEF (1988); the Human Rights Prize from the government of Brazil and from the University of São Paulo (1997); the Human Rights Medal from the Jewish entity B’nai B’rith (1999); the Human Rights Prize offered by the United Nations, Brazil (2001); the Human Rights Prize of the King of Spain (2005).

Other keynotes speakers will include communication expert Jan Servaes, Internet researcher Angeline Khoo, independent journalist Steven Gan and new media specialist Michael Hertl. You can find their profiles at www.signisworldcongress.net, section Speakers.

The SIGNIS World Congress 2009 will take place in Chiang Mai, Thailand, from October 17 to 21, 2009. Hundreds of communication professionals from all over the world are expected to attend the 4 day event built around three strands: Current Global Issues on Human Rights and Children’s Rights, Emerging Perspectives on Media and Social Transformation and The Challenges of Growing Up in a Digital Age.

Registration is open until August 1, 2009. Join us to share your experiences, reflect on today’s communication issues and help us build a better media sphere where human values and children’s rights are key. Please visit our website: www.signisworldcongress.net for more information and go to Registration to participate to the SIGNIS World Congress 2009!