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!