Congresses

AEJ Annual Congresses: A Tradition of Journalistic Excellence

A Platform for Exchange, Debate, and Professional Growth

Each year, the Association of European Journalists (AEJ) organizes its Annual Congress, bringing together journalists from across Europe to discuss pressing issues, exchange ideas, and strengthen the network of media professionals committed to independent journalism and press freedom.

The AEJ Congress is hosted by a different national section each year and consists of:
📌 A Conference on current issues affecting journalism, media freedom, and European affairs.
📌 The General Assembly, where national representatives debate professional matters, pass resolutions, and vote on AEJ’s administration and strategic direction.

This gathering serves as a forum for collaboration, fostering international dialogue on the challenges and responsibilities of journalism in a rapidly evolving media landscape.


A Legacy of Engagement: Past AEJ Congresses

Since its foundation, AEJ has held over 60 congresses across Europe, hosted by various national sections. These congresses have been pivotal moments in strengthening European journalism, fostering dialogue, and addressing key issues of press freedom and media ethics.

🔹 Early Years (1962-1990) – The foundation of AEJ’s congress tradition, spanning key European cities from San Remo (1962) to Madrid-Sevilla (1991).
🔹 Expansion & Influence (1991-2010) – AEJ expanded its reach across Europe, holding congresses in London (1992), Budapest (1996), Warsaw (1998), Bratislava (2001), and Ordu, Turkey (2010).
🔹 Modern Era (2011-Present) – AEJ continues to adapt to the evolving media landscape, hosting congresses in Bucharest (2011), Sibiu (2015), Vilnius (2017), Paris (2019), and Vlore (2023).

📌 Recent Congresses:
✔ 2022 – Eretria, Greece
✔ 2023 – Vlore, Albania

📌 Unprecedented Challenges:
🚫 2020 & 2021 Congresses were canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, marking a rare disruption in AEJ’s long tradition.


Complete List of AEJ Congresses

Year Location Country
1962 San Remo Italy
1963 Brussels Belgium
1964 Strasbourg France
1965 Palermo-Messina Italy
1966 Berlin Germany
1967 Brussels Belgium
1968 Bad-Honingen Germany
1969 Bordeaux France
1970 Luxembourg Luxembourg
1971 Bristol United Kingdom
1972 Cagliari Italy
1973 Brussels Belgium
1974 Mayence Germany
1975 Athens Greece
1976 Nice France – Monaco
1977 Dublin-Galway Ireland
1978 The Hague Netherlands
1979 Luxembourg Luxembourg
1980 Rome Italy
1981 Lisbon Portugal
1982 Madrid-Oviedo Spain
1983 Strasbourg France
1984 Berlin Germany
1985 Brussels – Hasselt – Liege – Maastricht Belgium, Netherlands
1986 Trento-Venice Italy
1987 Madeira Portugal
1988 Dublin Ireland
1989 Berlin Germany
1990 Lille-Paris France
1991 Madrid-Sevilla Spain
1992 London United Kingdom
1993 Athens Greece
1994 Helsinki Finland
1995 Malta Malta
1996 Budapest Hungary
1997 Lisbon Portugal
1998 Warsaw Poland
1999 Berlin Germany
2000 Thessaloniki Greece
2001 Bratislava Slovakia
2002 San Remo Italy
2003 Budapest Hungary
2004 Kosice Slovakia
2005 Patras Greece
2006 Oviedo Spain
2007 Dublin Ireland
2008 Linz Austria
2009 Maastricht Netherlands
2010 Ordu Turkey
2011 Bucharest Romania
2012 Offida Italy
2013 Brussels Belgium
2014 Burgenland Austria
2015 Sibiu Romania
2016 Kilkenny Ireland
2017 Vilnius Lithuania
2018 Aitoloakarnania Greece
2019 Paris France
2020 Cancelled (COVID-19) —
2021 Cancelled (COVID-19) —
2022 Eretria Greece
2023 Vlore Albania

Looking Ahead

As the AEJ moves forward, its Annual Congress remains a cornerstone event for fostering European journalism, professional ethics, and press freedom. Each congress not only strengthens journalistic collaboration but also reinforces AEJ’s mission to defend independent media across Europe.

📌 Stay tuned for updates on upcoming AEJ Congresses!