CCMP Fellowship to Bring 14 Journalists to Critical UN Climate Negotiations In Bonn, Germany

COP23 FIJI UN Climate Change Conference Bonn 2017In a time of great uncertainty over the future of global climate action, the Climate Change Media Partnership (CCMP), led by Internews’ Earth Journalism Network (EJN), will bring 14 journalists from around the world to report directly from the upcoming climate talks. This year’s Fellowship group represents some of the most vulnerable countries to climate-related impacts, including six indigenous journalists – three of whom come from the Pacific Islands — who will add unique voices to global coverage as Fiji prepares to lead the talks.

The Fellows will report from the 23rd Conference of Parties (COP 23) to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) during what will be a critical test of the resiliency of the Paris Accord. Though many fear the planned exit from the Agreement by the United States could slow progress, support for global action remains high and UN negotiators have pledged to forge ahead with detailing the rules for implementation while in Bonn.

Prior to attending the conference, Fellows will participate in a daylong orientation session that will augment their understanding of climate science and the current state of the talks, as well as a chance to hear from EJN experts on how to maximize coverage opportunities. Efforts are also being made to take part in a field trip to a nearby town that is leading in clean energy production. The Fellowship program will run from November 10-18th, 2017.

The CCMP 2017 Fellows are:

  • Tikondane Vega, Malawi News Agency
  • Andrew Ochieng, NTV Kenya
  • Josephine Naaeke, Ghana News Agency
  • Deusdedit Ruhangariyo, Orumuri Weekly Newspaper/Vision Group (Uganda)
  • Phal Niseiy Sao, Thmey Thmey Media (Cambodia)
  • Suzanna Masih, The Express Tribune (Pakistan)
  • Dinh Tuyen Le, Thanh Nien Newspaper (Vietnam)
  • Assia Chaneva, Bulgarian National Radio
  • Giovana Girardi, Newspaper O Estado de S. Paulo (Brazil)
  • Tatiana Pardo, El Tiempo (Colombia)
  • Sikeli Quonadovu, Fiji Times
  • Priestley Habru, Island Sun Newspaper (Solomon Islands)
  • Joyetter Luamanu, Samoa Observer
  • Tina Carmillia, BFM Radio (Malaysia)

Formed in 2007 by EJN, Panos London and the International Institute for Environment and Development (IIED), the CCMP has brought developing country journalists to the annual UN climate summits since 2007. This has enabled them to cover the summit for their home media organizations, work with experienced and knowledgeable journalists from around the world, and gain a multifaceted understanding of climate change’s global impact. Numerous regional organizations also play a supporting role in the partnership. This year’s Fellowship program will be a partnership between EJN and the Stanley Foundation, with support also being provided by the Full Circle Fund of RSF Social Finance.