Capacity Building by Media Institute of the Caribbean and PAHO enable Journalists to Address Climate and Health Issues: Five Impactful Stories Published on CIJN.org
The Media Institute of the Caribbean (MIC) is proud to announce the successful completion of a comprehensive virtual training program for over fifty journalists in the Caribbean, focused on climate and health reporting. The culmination of this initiative resulted in the publication of five compelling news stories, each shedding light on critical issues at the intersection of climate change and public health. These stories are now available for the public to read on the Caribbean Investigative Journalism Network's website.
The training program, supported by the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) as part of the European Union CARIFORUM Climate and Health project, aimed to enhance the skills and knowledge of journalists in the Caribbean region, increasing their capacity to report effectively on the pressing challenges posed by climate change to public health. Over the course of several weeks, participating journalists were immersed in intensive workshops, interactive sessions, and hands-on exercises led by seasoned experts in the fields of climate science and public health communication.
The training fostered a deeper understanding of the complex relationship between climate change and health outcomes. Armed with this knowledge, the journalists embarked on their reporting assignments, delving into local communities, speaking with experts, and uncovering stories that matter. The resulting news stories cover a wide array of topics, including the challenges faced by vulnerable communities and the impact on children. Each story provides valuable insights into the inter-relationship between these vital issues, encouraging public discourse and awareness.
"The Media Institute of the Caribbean is committed to nurturing a cadre of journalists who can not only report news but also drive positive change through their stories," said Kiran Maharaj, President of the MIC. "We are immensely grateful for the support from PAHO, which has enabled us to empower journalists to address critical topics such as climate change and health. The stories produced by our participants are not just news; they are catalysts for informed action and awareness."
The Subregional Program Director of the PAHO Caribbean Subregional Office, Dean Chambliss, welcomed the collaboration with the MIC to raise the awareness of the journalists who attended the training as well as the stories published.
“These multimedia features highlighted the effects of climate change for Caribbean peoples, the importance of multistakeholder perspectives, and emphasized creative solutions. What is also highly commendable is the emphasis on vulnerable populations in Dominica, Guyana, Grenada and St Vincent and the Grenadines, including indigenous communities, persons with disabilities, children and farmers. The stories went beyond the numbers and the usual talking points often linked to climate change and health to the impact on lives and livelihoods. This included parents who described how recent intense heat was affecting their children at home and at school, the lack of fresh water, how farmers’ yields were drastically affected, the impact of more severe weather events on persons with disabilities, and the rise in vector-borne diseases,” Mr Chambliss said.
The Media Institute of the Caribbean extended its sincere appreciation to PAHO for its support and to all the journalists who participated in the training program. Their dedication and passion have resulted in impactful storytelling that illuminates the challenges faced by our communities and inspires collective action.
About the Media Institute of the Caribbean:
The Media Institute of the Caribbean (MIC) is a leading organization dedicated to advancing the standards of journalism in the Caribbean region. Through training programs, workshops, and initiatives, MIC empowers journalists with the skills and knowledge necessary to navigate the evolving media landscape and address critical issues facing society.
About the Pan American Health Organization:
The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) is an international public health agency working to improve the health and well-being of people in the Americas. PAHO collaborates with countries to combat communicable and noncommunicable diseases and their causes, strengthen health systems, and respond to emergencies and disasters.
About the Caribbean Investigative Journalism Network:
The Caribbean Investigative Journalism Network (CIJN) is a platform dedicated to promoting investigative journalism in the Caribbean. CIJN publishes in-depth stories on issues of public interest, encouraging transparency, accountability, and positive change in the region. Visit www.cijn.org to explore impactful investigative journalism.