Rivne journalists discussed global warming and energy efficiency with UN experts
11 September 2007, Rivne, Ukraine. 12 journalists from Rivne and region and more then 60 students-journalists of the Rivne International Economics and Humanitarian University discussed with the United Nations Development Programme experts topical environment issues in the framework of the information seminar "Today's Challenges: Climate Change and Energy Efficiency".
This seminar was targeted at raising awareness and discussing with journalists issues of climate change and energy efficiency in Ukraine and worldwide, as well as role of journalists in drawing public attention to ecological problems and mobilizing communities to protect environment.
The event was initiated by UNDP Rivne-based project "Removing Barriers to Greenhouse Gas Emissions Mitigation through Energy Efficiency"e in partnership with UN Department of Public Information in Ukraine and UNDP Chernobyl Recovery and Development Programme.
Oleksiy Paschenko, UNDP Programme Coordinator on Energy efficiency, explained the origin of this initiative for Rivne journalists: "One of the key components of our project in Rivne is community mobilization for addressing their energy efficiency problem in our daily life. And mass media, in particular, are the critical mediators, who could fasten this process by raising people's awareness on this challenge and energy saving solutions".
UNDP experts Oleksiy Mikhasyuk informed the participants about UN system environment-related activities and resolutions and Mykola Movchan presented highlights of UNDP Chernobyl Recovery and Development Programe activities in Rivne region and shared experience on this Programme cooperation with media.
The special guest-speaker of the seminar was prominent Ukrainian journalist, director of Media Dim TV programmes and News Editor-in-Chief at the national TV channel "Tonis", laureate of the national Ukrainian television award "Teletriumph" in category "Best TV reporter" (2000) Artem Shevchenko.
Artem Shevchenko conducted presentation "Climate Change - a Hot Topic?" and led the discussion with the local journalists on whether climate change along with other environment topics are worth of journalists' attention. Also, he delivered the lecture for students studying journalism at the Rivne International Economics and Humanitarian University after Stepan Dem'yanchuk on thematic journalism and shared international and his personal experience on highlighting environment issues.
Shevchenko stated "I think climate change and energy efficiency issues should become more and more "hot" topics for journalists. Besides, environment journalism is getting more priority in the world media and Ukraine should not lag behind. " I am grateful to the United Nations Development Programme for this opportunity to share my experience with the regional journalists. And I hope that journalists of other regions will also participate in similar seminars", he added.
The seminar was closed by the educational press-conference on environment journalism conducted by freshmen and junior students-journalists of the Rivne University.
More information: Oleksiy Paschenko, UNDP Programme Coordinator on Energy Efficiency,
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Materials of the information seminar "Today's Challenges: Climate Change and Energy Efficiency":
• Agenda of the seminar "Today's Challenges: Climate Change and Energy Efficiency" (in Ukrainian).
• Presentation "Introduction to UN system environment-related activities" (in Ukrainian) . Speaker: Oleksiy Mikhasyuk.
• Presentation of Rivne Energy Efficiency Project (in Ukrainian) . Speaker: Oleksiy Paschenko.
• Presentation of Chernobyl Recovery and Development Programme (in Ukrainian). Speaker: Mykola Movchan.
• Presentation "Approaches to ensure energy efficiency and energy security of Ukraine " (in Ukrainian). Speaker, Oleksiy Paschenko.
11.09.07
