Water and Sustainable Development Around the Baltic Sea and Lake Victoria: Report from a Workshop on Environmental Journalism

Abstract

From Introduction: "The workshop should contribute to the theme of the 2001 World Water Week, 'Building Bridges through Dialogue'. In that respect, the aims of the workshop were to: create an awareness of those communication gaps existing in each respective country and to define the journalist's independent roles versus authorities, decision makers, NGOs, companies, etc.; equip the participants with ideas and tools for a facilitated way to report on water and environmental issues, which will enable them in turn to raise public awareness. That implies elaborating ways for a concrete access to information, and train the participants in how to report on water and environmental issues; integrate the participants into the program of the World Water Week and offer them a holistic experience that provides them with key knowledge and background information related to the critical topics in their respective country and offers them an ideal platform to meet experts and future sources in the field. Portions of the program were obligatory for the participants, and other portions were recommended; convey ideas on how to disseminate these journalistic tools to colleagues in their respective countries and on how to establish a long-term commitment and dedication to a journalistic exchange network."