OSCE Centre trains journalists on environmental issues

UST-KAMENOGORSK, Kazakhstan, 18 April 2014 – An OSCE-supported training seminar for journalists on environmental reporting with a special focus on green economy issues began today in Ust-Kamenogorsk, Eastern Kazakhstan Region.

The two-day event for media and civil society representatives from Kazakhstan’s eastern regions is co-organized by the OSCE Centre in Astana in co-operation with the Czech non-governmental organization “Bezk” and the Ust-Kamenogorsk Aarhus Centre. The seminar aims to enhance journalists’ understanding of environmental issues and their coverage in the media.

“Journalists and mass media in general are called to play a catalytic role in public debate aimed at identifying ways to address the problems of environmental safety and establish a balance between the interests of economic development and the well-being of people,” said Ambassador Natalia Zarudna, Head of the OSCE Centre in Astana.

“The transition to a 'green' economy will ensure the welfare and quality of life of the population, without exposing future generations to significant environmental risks and ecological scarcities. I hope our co-operation in this field will be fruitful,” said Dmitriy Kavrigin, Deputy Head of the Ecology Department for the Eastern Kazakhstan Oblast.

The OSCE Centre organized a similar event on 16 April in Almaty for journalists and non-governmental organizations from the south of the country. Some 70 journalists and activists from nine of the country’s regions learned during both events from international and national experts about the contemporary techniques to enhance visibility of environmental topics and encourage discussions while addressing environmental challenges.

Both training events followed the Centre’s projects implemented in 2011–2013on environmental reporting for over 170 members of the media and civil society in Kazakhstan. As a result of discussions held across the country, a guide for environmental journalism facilitated by the OSCE Centre was published, which is currently used by journalists, non-governmental organizations and Aarhus Centres.

During her visit to Ust-Kamenogorsk, Ambassador Zarudna met with Ermek Kosherbayev, First Deputy Governor of the Eastern Kazakhstan Region, to discuss co-operation plans. She also delivered a lecture at Sarsen Amanzholov East Kazakhstan State University on the OSCE’s role in addressing security threats, risks and challenges in Central Asia.