Dear Colleague,

The 60th World Newspaper Congress, 14th World Editors Forum and Info Services Expo will be held in Cape Town, South Africa, one of the world's most beautiful cities, from 3 to 6 June 2007. Please enter the dates in your diary and accept our personal invitations to attend.

As Presidents of the World Association of Newspapers and the World Editors Forum, we can ensure you that everything possible is being done to welcome you warmly to these events and to provide a spectacular programme.

The World Newspaper Congress will this year take, "Shaping the Future of the Newspaper" as its theme, reflecting the great success of WAN's major research project of the same name. The programme will focus on the innovations, breakthroughs and opportunities that are benefitting newspapers all over the world and ensuring the future health of the industry. The Congress will update you on these developments, with the latest data and information on global newspaper trends, examining new publications, new advertising and circulation strategies, new digital product development, and new business practices.

The theme of the Editors Forum is "Quality Journalism in the Digital Age". The conference will focus on what newspapers are doing to leverage one of their greatest advantages -- valuable, credible journalism -- into success on all platforms, print and digital. The conference will look at such topics as newsroom integration, social networking and younger readers, trends in free newspapers, shrinking newsrooms, and much more.

Alongside these events, Info Services Expo 2006 will showcase the new services and technologies which are shaping the newspaper of the future. The Expo offers newspaper executives a chance to learn about the latest products and services from suppliers to the industry.

Participants will also, of course, experience South African culture, cuisine and both the traditional and modern aspects of the nation. Attractive social events, as well as post-Congress and accompanying persons tours, are being planned.

More than 1,500 publishers, chief editors, managing directors, CEOs and other senior newspaper executives from 90 countries are expected at the events, the global meetings of the world's press.

If you would like more details sent to you, please send your contact details to jhewkin@wan.asso.fr.

Welcome to Cape Town!

Gavin O'Reilly
President, World Association of Newspapers
Group Chief Operating Officer, Independent News & Media PLC, Ireland

George Brock
President, World Editors Forum
Editor, The Saturday Times, United Kingdom

Africa - where it all began! During the long twilight of the colonial era, newspapers in Africa were predominantly foreign, concerned with a foreign way of life and a foreign perspective on society and events. Today the South African newspaper industry is thriving with over 30 daily and weekly newspapers and over 500 free and sold local community newspapers in several of our 11 official languages. An estimated 3 million newspapers are bought daily.

It is to this exciting continent that the 60th World Association of Newspapers Congress is coming, for the first time. It brings with it the energizing presence of an extremely influential assembly of people around the world.

On behalf of the Newspaper Association of South Africa (NASA) I invite you to attend the 60th World Newspaper Congress, 14th World Editors Forum and Info Services Expo to be held in Cape Town, South Africa, in June 2007. The city blessed with six of the top seven tourist destinations in South Africa, renowned for its spectacular scenery and unique beauty.

I am confident that the conference will enrich your professional life through the informative and stimulating programme that will cover a wide variety of issues. The social events and pre and post conference tours will give you an opportunity to explore our beautiful country and the diverse cultures of our rainbow nation which bears testimony to the 13-years of democracy.

South Africans are known for their friendliness and hospitality which will ensure that your stay in Cape Town and the rest of the country will not only be a memorable but an exciting experience.

We trust that you will be able to join us at this special occasion.

Trevor Ncube
President