4-5 September 2009. Paris, UNESCO. This high-level international event was organised by UNESCO in partnership with United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), regional broadcasting unions and other international broadcasting organizations to consider a global consensus to raise public awareness on the challenges of climate change.Organized in partnership with UNEP, the Conference provided a platform for regional and international collaboration to offer solutions to existing challenges faced by broadcasters, particularly those in developing countries. Such collaboration will to empower national broadcasters to fulfil their role in making climate change processes and related mitigation and adaptation options better understood by their audiences.
"This is a watershed moment for the broadcasting industry," said Satinder Bindra, United Nation Environment Programme (UNEP) director of communications. "The more allies, talent and creativity that we can garner in the fight against climate change and its dire consequences, the greater the chance of succeeding in tackling the greatest challenge of our generation."
The UK based Institute of Development Studies (IDS) participated to this meeting in behalf of the AfricaAdapt Core Group of which FARA is part of.
Claudie Likela, Manager of the Namibian Broadcasting Corporation, speaks to AfricaAdapt about the struggle of African journalists to translate climate change information into local languages.
Grace Akumu, Head of the Climate Network Africa, tells AfricaAdapt about the importance of having African perspectives on climate change. Grace Akumu was one of the lead authors of the Third and Fourth Assessment reports of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change and calls on African researchers to work closer with journalists.
Patrik Luganda, Chairman of the Network of Climate Journalists in the Greater horn of Africa, speaks to AfricaAdapt about promoting better climate change media reporting. He highlights what journalists and researchers need from each other to be able to contribute to better quality coverage of climate change issues.
References:
- IDS website story: The media's role in the climate change debate
- Business Green 09/09/2009 UN calls on broadcasters to support climate change
Environmental Expert (press release) 08/09/2009 Broadcasters unite in fight against climate change - Paris Declaration.pdf
- UNESCO's Communication and Information Sector (More)
- Conference flyer [.pdf]
- UNESCO Media Advisory No.2009-45 (More)
Media coverage of climate change in SAf: Lessons from Mozambique, Swaziland and Zambia Frank M Kayula Download presentation (384Kb ~ 2 min) presented at the FANRPAN 2009 Regional Policy Dialogue and Annual General Meeting Maputo, Mozambique 31 August 2009 - 4 September 2009
