in cooperation with

UNEP Regional Media WorkshopEnvironment in Asia Pacific: Communicating the Issues

18-21 November 2012Kathmandu, Nepal

The recently released UNEP Global Environment Outlook 5 called for greater focus on policies that target the drivers of environmental degradation in Asia Pacific, namely population increase, unsustainable economic growth, urbanization, consumption and resource use. Failure to do so may challenge the region’s sustainable development.

The challenges are many. Asia-Pacific is now the largest consumer of natural resources globally. It is also the fastest growing source of greenhouse gas emissions. By 2030, these emissions are projected to be nearly half of the global total. Six out of ten countries most vulnerable to climate change hail from the region. Meanwhile, floods, drought and increasingly unpredictable weather are impinging on food security. Yet, governments and communities are finding innovative solutions to environmental problems that put the region on a more sustainable path. However, these approaches, especially those undertaken by small and local communities, often don’t come to the attention of media.

Where are these stories? How do we find them? How do we get information on the environment and environmental progress in the region? These are some of the questions that will be addressed by a workshop programme organized by UNEP, Asia-Pacific Forum for Environment and Development (APFED) and the International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD) on 18-21 November 2012 in Kathmandu, Nepal, together with The Third Pole Network, China Dialogue and the Philippine Network of Environmental Journalists, Inc.(PNEJ).

Media interested in attending in the workshop must submit ideas on how they will report on the environment on a topic of interest and relevance either to their countries, subregion or the Asia Pacific region. This could, but is not limited to issues such as the green economy in the region, marine issues, climate change, sustainable consumption and production, poverty and environment and more.

Between 20 or 30 media with the best selected ideas will participate in the workshop. A 3-month fellowship grant of US$5,000 will be provided for the 10 best ideas selected. The theme and topic of the fellowship will be discussed with the 10 selected Fellows during the workshop.

Participants can represent print, broadcast and the electronic media. They will be addressed by development experts and senior media practitioners. Efforts will be made to present case studies which will be newsworthy and illustrative of the approach to environment and sustainable development. The sessions will be highly interactive, encouraging media persons to intervene. There will also be field trips.

Interested media are requested to fill in and send in the application form below before midnight October 26, 2012 and send to email provided. Note that applications must be accompanied by the outline of your story which should include a short summary of the issue you want to cover, specific areas of the issue you would like to highlight and where.

Philippine Network of Environmental Journalists, Inc.

Application Form

Kindly fill all the information below and send it to imae.mojado@unep.org or Fax: +66 2 2803829, ‘Attention: Mayan/Tanawan’ on or before 26 October 2012. Please note that incomplete application forms will not be accepted.

1. Name (Full name in Block Letters, as in the passport):

2. Gender:

3. Country:

4. Organization Name:

5. Designation (Editor, Reporter, etc.):

6. Address: Tel (Phone):Tel (Mobile):(Please ensure country and codes are included) Fax: Email:

7. Please provide your story outline below and keep your answers brief and succinct:

a. Issue (e.g. marine)

b. What are the specific areas would you like to highlight in your story (e.g. coastal erosion, health of coral reefs, etc.)?

c. Geographic location of your story

d. Short summary of your story (50-100 words only)

Please Note:

1. Only selected applicants will receive confirmation over e-mail by 2 November 2012 including information about funding and travel arrangements;

2. Once selected, participants need to make their own arrangement for Visas, Overseas Travel Medical Insurance and other requirements. This will not be reimbursable;

3. Only fully completed applications will be accepted. Incomplete applications will not be accepted.