On December 9 and 10, the premises of Deutsche Welle will become a dynamic meeting place for actors from the media development and humanitarian sectors. This year’s fome Symposium and CDAC Public Forum – organized by DW Akademie and Fondation Hirondelle – will take place as integrated events, transforming the venue into a vibrant space for exchange and collaboration. The gathering will bring together media development experts, humanitarian practitioners, journalists, activists, media managers, academics, and representatives from government, civil society, and philanthropic organizations.

Together, they will explore the urgent challenges facing both sectors: shrinking resources, digitalization, and automation are reshaping how people in fragile and crisis-affected contexts access, share, and trust information. However, one constant remains: the need to listen to and engage with affected communities. We’ll examine how media developers and humanitarians can work together more effectively to strengthen local information ecosystems.

Join us for two days of in-depth, interactive, and inspiring conversations at the fome Symposium 2025 and CDAC Public Forum 2025!

Venue: Deutsche Welle, Kurt-Schumacher-Straße 3, 53113 Bonn

Conference Fee: Free of charge
Registration: Please register below. You may choose to attend either day or both.
Note: Tickets are limited. Don’t wait too long to secure your spot!

Day 1 – Tuesday, December 9, 2025
fome Symposium - Beyond Dependency: Rethinking Support for Public Interest Media
What to expect:
  • Engaging discussions on diverse revenue models for public interest media and funding strategies in the context of shifting global power dynamics
  • Deep dives into the latest evidence on mobilizing private capital, safeguarding editorial independence, funding, and the overall state of media development 
  • Behind-the-scenes insights into advocacy coalitions working to promote media viability and defend journalists’ rights
More information: fome website
 
 
Day 2 – Wednesday, December 10, 2025
CDAC Public Forum: Information in Crisis
What to expect:
  • Explorations of alternative models for financing crisis communication and building trust in the new age of information disorder
  • Interactive sessions showcasing inspiring approaches and synergies between media developers and humanitarian actors
  • Collaborative learning and idea generation on information integrity and the responsible use of AI in crisis contexts
More information: CDAC website

If you have any questions, please contact: fome@dw.com