Islamabad(TDI):The Environmental Journalists Forum (EJF) and the Institute of Peace and Diplomatic Studies (IPDS) have teamed up to boost journalists’ capacity for climate change reporting in Pakistan.
The partnership was formalized through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed on Monday at a ceremony held at the TDI office in Islamabad.
The collaboration is expected to play crucial role in raising awareness about the climate change and its devastating impacts.
The event was attended by IPDS Director Asif Noor and IPDS President Dr. Farhat Asif, while EJF President Ali Jabir, General Secretary Asghar Hayat, Senior Vice President Rozina Ali, Secretary Information Muhammad Mukhtar, Ayesha Naz, Amna Janjua, Sonia Malik, Basit Ali and others were also present to mark the MoU signing.
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key highlight of this collaboration is the launch of “Climate Baithak,” a platform for journalists and students to engage directly with climate experts.
The interactive sessions, each lasting 70 minutes, with detailed briefings and Q&A segments, aims to deepen participants’ understanding of climate science and reporting techniques.
These fortnightly sessions are primarily targeted at environmental journalists and students, empowering them with the knowledge to address pressing environmental issues effectively.
Both organizations plan to launch capacity-building programs, featuring workshops, field visits, and mentorship initiatives.
Journalists will be trained in areas such as climate science, investigative reporting, and data-driven journalism.
Participants will have access to certification opportunities for advanced skills as well as mentorship from seasoned climate reporters, ultimately fostering a strong network of professionals committed to environmental journalism.
Beyond training, the partnership is encompassing research and content development initiatives.
These include the creation of a Climate Reporting Handbook, an Environmental News Portal, and joint investigative stories on critical issues such as air pollution and water scarcity.
Public awareness campaigns, youth-focused media challenges, and dedicated radio and TV programs are also part of the collaboration, aiming to foster community engagement and broaden the impact of climate discourse.
IPDS’ President, Director on MoU
Addressing the participants, IPDS Director Asif Noor emphasized the media’s pivotal role in educating the public about climate challenges.
He noted the lack of substantial climate journalism in Pakistan and stressed the importance of equipping journalists with the tools and opportunities needed to address this gap.
On this occasion, IPDS President Dr. Farhat Asif highlighted the potential of global fellowships and knowledge-sharing platforms, announcing plans for lectures by international climate journalists to bring global insights to Pakistani reporters.
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EJF President Ali Jabir underlined the challenges faced by Pakistani journalists, including limited resources and opportunities, and described the MoU as a ‘significant step’ toward addressing these issues.
General Secretary Asghar Hayat emphasized the need for journalists to be well-informed to guide the public effectively.
He announced that EJF would continue forging partnerships with climate experts, academia, and NGOs to bolster environmental reporting capacity.
The collaboration, set to last two years, promises transformative outcomes for climate journalism and public awareness in Pakistan.
