UNESCO Office in Windhoek 38-44 Stein Street, Klein Windhoek, P.O. Box 24519, Windhoek, Namibia
Community Reporters trained to be partners in Education for Sustainable Development in Northern Namibia
The United Nations, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) in Namibia, recently held a three-day Media Training on Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) for Community Media. This was aimed at educating community reporters from the northern regions of Namibia on how the media can become partners in ESD. The workshop, which drew nine participants from Ohangwena Community Radio, Omutumwa Community Newspaper and freelancers was held from the 27th to the 29th of May in Eenhana, Ohangwena region
The media play a crucial role in educating the public about the importance of sustainable livelihoods. When people are given the right information, they will be in a better position to make right and informed choices. However, the media can only do so effectively and accurately if journalists or media practitioners themselves are made to understand the subject matter themselves before passing on the information to the recipients.
Officially opening the workshop, Mr. Dickson Kasote from UNESCO Windhoek Office said the media plays a vital role in educating communities on the importance of environmental protection hence ‘they are the best partners in ESD in the communities’.
Other topics that were covered at the workshop included the importance of wetlands preservation, the Rio Conventions, the ecological importance of different plants, animals and natural ecosystems and the Convention for the Protection, Management and Development of the Atlantic Coast of the West, Central and Southern Africa (the Abidjan Convention).
The workshop was organized by Omutumwa Community Newspaper and was facilitated by Namibian award-wining environmental journalist, Absalom Shigwedha.
