The ACPC and its partners invite applications from African women media practitioners for a two-week training course focused on climate change reporting. This initiative aims to equip participants with the skills necessary for effective communication of climate issues, enhancing awareness and policy integration. The program follows previous successful efforts that included significant training initiatives and the development of a global online learning module.
The African Climate Policy Centre (ACPC), in partnership with its collaborators, has embarked on significant initiatives to enhance climate change awareness and education across the African continent. Notably, in 2016, the ACPC organized a training of trainers (ToT) workshop focusing on the integration of Climate Information and Services (CIS) into legislative frameworks and development plans. This event attracted participants from various sectors, including legislators and youth organizations from diverse regions across Africa. In line with these efforts, the Centre, utilizing funding from the UK Department for International Development (DFID) as part of the Weather and Climate Information Services for Africa (WISER) program, collaborated with the UNCC:Learns Partnership to create a self-paced online learning module on CIS, which has trained civil society members, parliamentarians, media representatives, and agricultural experts in several African countries. To date, over 6,000 individuals worldwide have successfully completed the training module. Climate change reporting is essential for effective stakeholder engagement, knowledge acquisition, and dissemination of critical information regarding climate issues. The media plays an indispensable role in conveying climate-related knowledge to various communities, particularly those affected by severe weather events such as droughts, heat strokes, and hurricanes. Additionally, increased awareness and understanding of climate change among public officials can facilitate more inclusive integration of climate policies into economic and development strategies. Despite these efforts, many regions in Africa still face a significant gap in skill development and awareness concerning climate change drivers. 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 professionals in climate change media to participate in an intensive two-week training course designed to strengthen their capacity in climate change reporting and communication.
The ACPC and its partners have been actively promoting climate change knowledge throughout Africa for several years. The inception of their training programs, such as the 2016 ToT workshop, aimed to enhance the integration of climate information into policy-making. Furthermore, the development of a comprehensive online learning module on climate information and services marks a significant step in providing accessible education to a broad audience across the continent. The need for robust climate change reporting is critical as communities struggle with extreme weather impacts, necessitating informed strategies and engagement.
The call for applications highlights the necessity for enhanced training and capacity building for African women in climate change media. Empowering female journalists and practitioners in this crucial area is vital for effectively communicating climate issues and fostering policy integration in development plans. The ECA and PACJA’s initiative aims to bridge this skills gap and promote greater awareness and action concerning climate change across Africa.
Original Source: www.uneca.org
