14 Russian journalism teachers are visiting Norway and Finland on 1-5 March 2010 as the part of the cooperation project implemented by the Nordic Journalist Centre. The group includes representatives of 8 North-West Russian regions and 9 educational institutions teaching media and journalism. The programme of the study trip includes both visits to learning centres and media organisations and funded by the Nordic Council of Ministers.

Norway and Finland used to be among leaders in number of media per inhabitant. Number of newspaper subscribers in both countries are still among highest in the world. Current media changes, fast development of internet and social media are, however, challenging the traditional media and the study trip programme is highlighting ways to face modern trends.

In Oslo region Russian teachers are visiting Norwegian Union of Journalists to learn the current media landscape in the country, Oslo Journalism School and Business Institute for presentations of the educational system. Visit to Drammens Tidende will give the insight of the actual work in preparing both print and on-line version of the Norwegian newspaper. In Finland the group will learn about Swedish-language media in the Finnish media landscape by visiting theSocial Science school in Helsinki. At the University School of Journalism in Tampere Russian teachers will see how Finnish students are educated to work in print, photo, broadcast, online and TV journalism. Tampere-based and second biggest newspaper in Finland Aamulehti will present the practical work and challenges of the Finnish press.

Journalist and media cooperation programme is designed to enhance exchange of experiences, knowledge and skills between Nordic and Russian organizations as well as networking in different areas and to develop and strengthen the civil society in Russia. Cooperation activities are implemented by the Nordic Journalist Centre (Aarhus), Institute of Regional Press (St. Petersburg) and Barents Press International (Murmansk) include both study trips to Nordic countries and seminars for media in North-West Russia and are crucial for promoting civil society development.