Event reports
Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung has a long record of training young journalist in Cambodia. The renowned "Department of Media and Communication"(DMC) at the Royal University of Cambodia has become the most renowned institution for professional journalist training in Cambodia.
To deepen and broaden investigative skills, in particular in the field of energy security and climate change, KAS invited around 30 students d professional journalists for a weekend training seminar to Sihanoukville.
Experts from different professions have been invited to share their expertise with the participants and to introduce the participants to the different facets of the topic as well as to train in appropriate reporting approaches and techniques.
Day 1
Dr. Peter Hefele, Director of KAS RECAP Hongkong, addressed main strains and issues connected to climate change in the region. He emphasized the important role of students and journalists in the process of mitigating climate change.
Afterwards, Mr. Rene Gradwohl, Director of KAS Cambodia introduced the work of KAS in Cambodia.
Dr. Andreas Oldag, long-term DAAD lecturer at DMC and one the two trainers, outlined the ever important role of climate change in the today´s media.
Finally a general overview about the global climate change situation was given by Mrs. Dr. Birgit Wetzel, free-lance journalist from Germany.
Day 2
On Saturday morning the workshop started with an introduction by Dr. Hefele on the importance of establishing sustainable growth and the dilemma of development and climate protection. He pointed towards the critical role of population and economic growth as driving forces for rapidly increasing energy consumption in Southeast Asia. He highlighted the importance of an open and innovative policy agenda in designing a new energy system.
From a journalist point of view Mr. Andreas Oldag gave a concise introduction into the challenges of modern journalism and its importance for accurately reporting on climate change issues.
As a longterm experts with GIZ Cambodia, Mr. Claudius Bredehoeft, referred specifically to the impacts of climate change on Cambodia´s agriculture and nutrition industry. Despite severe negative effects as droughts and floods, Mr. Bredehoeft pointed towards proactive approaches and innovative solutions already implemented by local farmers in Cambodia.
After lectures and short discussion rounds , the participants were supposed to form working groups of 3-4 people to develop a draft concept for a concrete reportage to be realized in the coming weeks. The process of structuring and approaching relevant topics was closes guided and coached by media experts.
Day 3
Andreas Oldag opened the final session with an overview on news format, featuring techniques and basic challenges of investigative journalism. He explained on how to write an appealing and interesting articles. Mrs. Wetzel brought in her long-term experience on radio and TV.
For the remaining day the groups, and due to the active approach and a very vivid exchange with all the experts, all seven groups were supposed to developed and presented consistent concepts for their field trip. These topics ranged from sustainable farming over deforestation and recycling to the political framework of climate change in Cambodia.
The results of the investigations will be publicly presented in a follow-up event, organized by KAS and META House in Phnom Phen on 23 November 2016.