Central Asian Climate Journalism and Communication Conference

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Welcoming remarks from organisers (n-ost & MediaNet)

This panel discussion aims to broaden journalists’ understanding of climate change, challenge somewhat rigid, clichéd and misleading narratives, and open up new dimensions and perspectives.

Moderator: Aliya Wedelich, Journalist, Ecostan News

Speakers: TBA

Water, uranium and nuclear energy through investigations, data and international journalism. The workshop will focus on how environmental resources become geopolitical issues and how journalists can cover transboundary risks in Central Asia.

Speaker: Kamila Faizieva
Journalist and analyst working at the intersection of climate, energy and transboundary environmental risks in Central Asia. Author of publications in international outlets including The Diplomat; speaker at forums and international climate initiatives.

Global climate negotiations shape national policy, financing flows and development trajectories. However, coverage of international climate processes in Central Asia remains limited and disconnected from regional realities. This workshop will help journalists understand climate negotiations and translate them into regional stories.

Speakers: 

• Anisa Abibulloeva
  Youth environmental organization "Little Earth"
• Timur Idrisov
  Independent environmental journalist

How can we record, produce and release interesting podcasts about climate topics? From choosing a theme and speakers to planning the episode structure, many aspects should be considered. During the workshop participants will learn about podcast production approaches and take part in practical exercises.

Speaker: Angelina Davydova
Environmental journalist, co-host of The Eurasian Climate Brief podcast, environmental project expert with Dialogue for Understanding e.V., media trainer, lecturer, facilitator. Observer of UN climate negotiations since 2008.

The workshop will focus on how to monitor infrastructure projects in Central Asia. Participants will learn how to use local and international mechanisms to assess environmental and social standards of international financial institutions. The session will also explore accountability mechanisms and participation in monitoring infrastructure investments.

Speaker: Bermet Borubaeva
Founder of #BishkekSmog initiative

The session will focus on the role of visual communication in climate journalism, demonstrating how illustrations, infographics and design approaches can communicate powerful stories. Participants will explore how visual framing influences audiences and learn how journalists can collaborate with photographers to create photo stories.

Speakers: 

• Mariam Kvaratskhelia
  Tuta Magazine
• Danil Usmanov
  Freelance documentary photographer

The workshop will offer participants the opportunity to think collectively about ethics focusing on climate coverage. Participants will learn practical tips from a constructive journalism and feminist intersectional perspective.

Speaker: Elena Ledda
Independent journalist and journalism professor of social journalism and ethics from Sardinia, based in Barcelona

The workshop will focus on creating infotainment content on complex but important topics. The session will focus more on content rather than tools.

Speaker: Azat Ruziev
Co-founder of Bashta media

Climate Communication and Journalism in the Region. Examples

This session will focus on practical examples of climate communication in Central Asia. Participants will explore how regional climate stories can be communicated effectively and adapted for different audiences.

Speakers: TBA

This workshop will explain how a cross-border investigation into urban heat in Europe was conducted. Participants will learn how to use sensors, collaborate with citizens and apply these approaches to their own investigations.

Speaker: Peter Yeung
Award-winning freelance journalist based in Paris covering climate, migration and human rights. Contributor to The New York Times, BBC, The Guardian, Washington Post and National Geographic.

The workshop focuses on access to environmental information and how journalists can use data to identify trends and uncover stories. Participants will explore examples from Ukraine’s public data systems. Trough practical examples from public data systems, participants will explore how open data can become a powerful tool for environmental journalism.

Speakers: 

• Hanna Valynets
  Greenbelarus.info, freelance journalist
• Kostiantyn Donchenko
  Freelancer and analyst

The workshop focuses on transforming glacier research into accessible climate stories. Participants will learn how to use field observations, maps and data to create compelling climate narratives.

Speaker: Gulbara Omorova
National Academy of Sciences of the Kyrgyz Republic, Institute of Water Problems and Hydropower

The workshop will help participants write appealing pitches for international media. Participants will learn how to make local topics relevant for international audiences and find unique story angles.

Speaker: Emilia Sulek
Freelancer (Die Wochenzeitung, OKO.press, Gazeta Wyborcza, The Guardian, New Lines Magazine, Meduza, The Diplomat)

This panel will reflect on key lessons from the project so far and discuss the next steps for strengthening climate journalism in the region. The discussion will focus on how to make climate a cross-cutting topic in every newsroom and deepen collaboration during the next phase of the project.

Moderator: Ira Ponedelnik, n-ost

Speakers: TBA