PROGRAM
ANNUAL SAFETY
COORDINATION
MEETING 2026
Major supporters:
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DAY 1
Thursday 12 November, Shamba Events, Loresho Ridge, Nairobi
8.00am
Bus departure from Novotel Nairobi Westlands to Shamba Events
9.00am
REGISTRATION
Light breakfast buffet on arrival
9.30 - 10.00am
WELCOME
Elisabet Cantenys, Executive Director, ACOS Alliance
10.00am -12:30pm
PSYCHOLOGICAL SAFETY & SELF-CARE
Moderated by
Bruce Shapiro & Gavin Rees, Global Center for Journalism & Trauma
This kick-off, multi-format session explores the practical aspects of psychological safety management and self-care. We'll look at the mental health "pinch points" for journalists and editors: when and where issues and challenges arise, what affects these can have, and how to access the most appropriate tools. There will also be an opportunity for participants to share their experiences, learnings and observations about what is working well and what needs improvement when it comes to psychological safety support.
Includes Coffee Break
12.30 - 2.00pm
NETWORKING LUNCH
Try out new safety tools and games at our lunchtime Safety Safari.
2.00 - 2.30pm
REPORTING BACK | LOOKING FORWARD
A series of lightning talks showcasing new safety initiatives, research and observations.
2.30 - 5.00pm
SAFETY POT LUCK
Moderated by
Elisabet Cantenys, Executive Director, ACOS Alliance
If you have a burning safety issue, idea, challenge or sticky problem that’s not covered by this year’s agenda bring it here! Participants are invited to pitch their own topics for group exploration and discussion.
4.15pm
COFFEE BREAK
4.30 - 5.00pm
SAFETY POT LUCK GROUP REPORT BACK
& WRAP UP
5.15pm
BUSES to Baraza Media Lab, Keystone Park, 95 Riverside Drive, Nairobi
6 - 8.30pm
EVENING RECEPTION at Baraza Media Lab
Light food and refreshments will be served.
PROGRAM DAY 2
Friday 13 November, Shamba Events, Loresho Ridge, Nairobi
8.00am
Bus departure from Novotel Nairobi Westlands to Shamba Events
9.00am
REGISTRATION
Light breakfast buffet on arrival
9.30-9.45am WELCOME
Elisabet Cantenys, Executive Director, ACOS Alliance
9.45 -11.30am
SAFETY TRAINING: THE NEW FRONTIERS
How well is safety training adapting to the needs of today’s journalists? What’s working well, what isn’t - and what are we missing? With challenges including AI, drones, surveillance, misinformation, lawfare, bio hazards - and burnout - growing rapidly, how can safety training better serve journalists?
Participants will split into three breakout groups to focus on one topic in depth before reporting back to the plenary.
11.30 - 11.45
COFFEE BREAK
11.45 - 12.45
CREATORS, INFLUENCERS AND JOURNALISTS
Moderated by:
Marc Perkins, Senior Commissioning Editor, Channel 4 Television & Trustee, ACOS Alliance
Recent research from the Reuters Institute found that 27% of populations globally access news via a rapidly growing community of content creators. In Kenya this figure jumps to 58%. What does this mean for journalist safety? What impact does it have on issues like duty of care? And how does the increasingly influential role of news creators affect the way NGOs approach media safety and support?
12.45 to 2.15pm
NETWORKING LUNCH
Try out new safety tools and games at our lunchtime Safety Safari.
2.15 - 4.45pm
THE FUTURE IS COLLABORATION
Moderated by
John-Allan Namu, Co-Founder, Africa Uncensored
Elisabet Cantenys, Executive Producer, ACOS Alliance
The ACOS Meeting has a track record for fostering new collaborative initiatives around journalist safety issues. But what if we pushed the idea of collaboration further? What greater impact could we all have if we worked collectively? And what efficiencies might we make? A series of afternoon sessions will encourage participants to dive into collaboration and explore the benefits for individuals, organizations and the wider journalist safety community.
Includes Tea Break
4.45 - 5:00pm
WRAP UP + THANK YOU
5.00 - 8.00pm:
EVENING RECEPTION at Shamba Events, hosted by Africa Uncensored
Light food and refreshments will be served.