Climate Communication Workshop for Vanuatu Media

Journalists in mainstream media, communications officers, and members of the Media Association of Vanuatu (MAV) have participated in a 2-day workshop aimed at familiarising them with climate change terminology and issues for more effective reporting.

The workshop, organised by Van-KIRAP and the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP), served as a platform for attendees to enhance their understanding of climate change-related topics. Van-KIRAP, currently gearing up to launch several enhanced services and products, expressed their commitment to supporting the Vanuatu Meteorology and Geo-hazards Department (VMGD) with climate communication training.

Climate communication is an important element in effectively conveying the right messages and tools to stakeholders and communities for informed decision-making and ensuring safety and security.

During the workshop, Sosikeni Lesa, the Media and Public Relations Officer of SPREP, discussed the organization’s collaborative efforts over the past two weeks. They worked closely with the SPREP media communication officer and various government and non-government stakeholders, particularly with Van-KIRAP, to develop communication training programs tailored to the local context.

Mr. Lesa highlighted the pivotal role of media in addressing climate change and crises. “The workshop is facilitated by SPREP but it is a funding initiative supported through the Van-KIRAP project, working in collaboration with the VMGD team. Its core objective is to strengthen the connections between the media and the local community,” he said.

Lillyrose Welwel, President of MAV, shared her perspective on the workshop’s value.

“Often, there are plenty of terminologies that the audience or reader doesn’t understand when consuming news on climate change,” she said. “This workshop provides journalists with the tools to break down complex terms into language suitable for different media platforms. We must utilise our platforms to disseminate essential climate change information to the public.”

Ms Welwel noted the media’s role as a watchdog responsible for delivering crucial information and the importance of frequent climate change reporting training to equip journalists to fulfill this vital role during a climate crisis. “Climate change is everyone’s business,” she added.

In agreement with Ms Welwel, Mr. Lesa commented on the need for improved communication regarding climate change’s impacts and crises. “Pacific islands are on the frontline, and we are all affected,” he stated. “Building on existing networks, we believe that the media has a key role to play in amplifying the voices of those affected by these issues.”

Ms Welwel thanked SPREP and Van-KIRAP for collaborating with MAV to conduct the training workshop. The workshop, held at the Vanuatu National Provident Fund Conference Room, provides participants with a valuable platform to enhance their skills in effectively communicating climate information to stakeholders, users, and the broader community.

 By Daily Post Vanuatu