"We were talking to educational organisation in Cairo earlier this year to see if it would be possible to hold a masterclass there, but then the popular uprising took over Egypt," says Claudia Hinterseer, the managing director and a founding member of Noor. " It became very complex to organise an event there. At the same time, we didn't want to cancel. In fact, it energised us to go ahead with our plans, while adapting the focus in reaction to the situation."

Noor regularly holds Masterclass events, which are usually sponsored by Nikon Europe, and offers photographers in specific regions of the world the opportunity to learn from the agency's members. Earlier this year, both organisations held such a Masterclass in Bucharest. However, for the Cairo event, which takes place from 14 May, BJP understands that Nikon is not involved, with Noor running the new type of event with the local, cultural organisations Investing in the Future and Contemporary Image Collective.

The conference is framed around the recent events that have jolted the region, and the role online media has played in them. "The developments that spread throughout the Arab world in recent months have undoubtedly received a strong impetus from the availability of social media in the region," says the Contemporary Image Collective. "Blogs, Twitter, Facebook and powerful online images and video eased the spread of revolutionary enthusiasm across borders. But along with these came new responsibilities, challenges and risks."

The conference's aim is to assess the role of photojournalism and digital journalism "in the current and future political upheavals by exchanging experiences and knowledge and to establish interrelations between the two professions."

"It's a very experimental event," adds Hinterseer. "We'll be focusing on journalism in the digital age. Since the events in Tunisia, there's been an increase in online visual reporting in the region. Many local journalists use their online presence more than print. At the same time, the momentum has passed in countries such as Egypt, Tunisia or even Bahrain. So, how can we take it to the next level? Noor is all about the long-term. We're looking at transforming breaking news into feature stories. We'll be teaming up photographers with writers to see how they can get the stories across."

The conference will be attended by 15 photojournalists and 15 digital journalists, coming from countries such as Algeria, Egypt, Jordan, Iraqi Kurdistan, Morocco, Tunisia and Yemen. For four days, both groups will work independently of the other until a two-day concluding conference where both groups will gather with digital media activists, journalists and other experts to discuss their work and experiences.

Noor photographers Alixandra Fazzina, Nina Berman and Stanley Greene will be provide in-depth training and sharing of expertise to the group of 15 photojournalists, says Hinterseer.

"While we have a set programme, we've asked attendees to come with three questions they'd like to see answered at the end of the workshop," says Hinterseer. "So, all of this could easily change. It'll be very flexible."

For more information, visit www.noorimages.com.