Women Climate Change Reporters Training: Call for Applications and Nominations

The African Climate Policy Centre and partners announce a training course for women climate change media practitioners aimed at enhancing their skills in climate reporting. The initiative reflects ongoing efforts to improve climate change awareness and the role of media in informing public discourse and policy formulation. The training follows previous successful programs and aims to address skill gaps in climate change reporting across Africa.

The African Climate Policy Centre (ACPC), in partnership with various organizations, continues to champion climate change awareness and knowledge across the African continent. Notably, in 2016, ACPC hosted a Training of Trainers (ToT) event focused on integrating Climate Information and Services (CIS) into legislative frameworks and development agendas. This initiative gathered legislators and youth groups from various African countries. Additionally, under the DFID-funded Weather and Climate Information Services for Africa (WISER) program, ACPC collaborated with the UNCC: Learn Partnership to create a self-paced online learning module on CIS, which has reached over 6,000 learners globally through targeted training sessions for civil society, media personnel, and agricultural experts across several nations including Kenya, Uganda, and Senegal. Climate change reporting requires effective engagement with stakeholders and the synthesis of knowledge to formulate impactful communication strategies that can address the needs of communities affected by extreme climatic events. The media serves a crucial role in disseminating information and knowledge, particularly to regions increasingly exposed to the adverse effects of climate change such as drought, hurricanes, and heatwaves. Furthermore, enhanced awareness among public officials can foster the incorporation of demand-driven, evidence-based climate policies into economic planning and development. However, there remains a significant skills gap among many in Africa regarding the drivers and impact of climate change. In light of these challenges, the Economic Commission for Africa (ECA), in collaboration with the Pan-African Climate Justice Alliance (PACJA), is inviting applications from African women climate change media practitioners to participate in a two-week training course aimed at enhancing their capabilities in climate change reporting.

The imperative for climate change education and training has been underscored by the increasing frequency and severity of extreme weather events in Africa. Through initiatives such as the ACPC’s training programs, significant strides have been made in fostering a culture of climate resilience and awareness. Educating media practitioners, particularly women, enhances the critical role they play in informing the public and policymakers about climate-related issues. The commitment of organizations like ACPC and ECA helps build necessary capacities that empower women to effectively communicate climate challenges, thereby improving community readiness and policy responsiveness.

The call for applications for the training course reflects a strategic initiative aimed at bolstering the capacities of women in climate change journalism across Africa. Enhanced training opportunities will not only improve skills but also contribute to a broader discourse on climate resilience and adaptation strategies. Ultimately, this initiative supports the integration of climate considerations in economic and development planning, paving the way for informed public discourse and policy action.

Original Source: www.uneca.org