The city of Toronto will host the International Media Conference, an annual initiative promoted by the Regional Directorate for Communities. The event will gather journalists from the Azorean, Portuguese, American and Canadian media communities to debate the current situation of media in the diaspora.

By promoting participation and dialogue among several media related institutions and entities from both sides of the Atlantic, the conference aims to encourage the debate on the role played by the media in the diaspora and the service provided to Azorean communities. The contribution of the media in the dissemination of Azorean communities around the world and its connection to the Azores will be another topic under debate at this meeting.

On June 12, the opening session will be chaired by the Regional director for Communities, Graça Castanho, being followed by a workshop on "Journalism and contributions to the recognition/integration of Azorean communities and promotion of the Azores abroad." Several conferences are scheduled for the following day on the following topics: "The training and encouragement of new generations," "New technologies at the service of information at a local and global level" and "The challenges of community journalism."
 
Under the motto "Networking and Optimisation of results," journalists will be received by Abrigo Centre on the last day of the Conference.

This social institution belongs to the Extended Network of Social Support Organisations, which is also supported by the Regional Directorate for Communities. Journalists will have the opportunity of attending several presentations of works by other social institutions in Toronto such as the Society of Portuguese Disabled Persons and the Working Women Community Centre.

The group of journalists will also be received by the Portuguese Cultural Centre in Mississauga.