Fellowship for journalists to cover UN Biodiversity Convention

 JournalismPakistan.com |  Published: 21 June 2024

Internews' Earth Journalism Network is launching a fellowship for journalists from low- and middle-income countries. The fellowship will support attendance at the UN Convention on Biological Diversity in 2024, focusing on critical biodiversity issues.

Summary

Internews' Earth Journalism Network (EJN) has announced a new fellowship for journalists to attend and report from the UN Convention on Biological Diversity in October and November 2024.

Established at the 1992 Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro, the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) was the first global agreement focused on biodiversity. It aims to conserve biodiversity, sustainably use its components, and ensure fair benefit-sharing from its utilization.

Thirty years later, the CBD COP15 in 2022 brought forth the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF), akin to the Paris Agreement for nature. This framework, ratified by 196 countries, aims to halt and reverse biodiversity loss with 23 targets to be met by 2030.

The upcoming CBD COP16, to be held in Cali, Colombia, from October to November 2024, is the first major meeting since the GBF's launch. It will be a critical moment to review global biodiversity financing, progress toward targets, and barriers to success. Immediate and concrete actions are needed to meet the 2030 deadline, especially as global wildlife populations have declined by 69 percent since 1970 and over 1 million species are at risk of extinction by 2030.

To ensure comprehensive coverage, EJN is launching a fellowship program for journalists from low-and middle-income countries. This initiative aims to provide crucial insights and decisions to a global audience, extending beyond conference walls. The fellowship will deepen journalists' reporting on biodiversity issues and highlight the catastrophic impacts of biodiversity loss.

Selected fellows will travel to Cali for the UN biodiversity negotiations from October 21 to November 1, 2024, with travel dates from October 19 to November 2. EJN will cover travel expenses, accommodation, meals, travel medical insurance, and ground transportation. EJN will also assist with press accreditation and provide logistical support. Obtaining necessary visas is the responsibility of the fellows, with visa costs reimbursed by EJN.

Eligibility Criteria:

Must be a professional journalist from or representing an established media house in a low- or middle-income country. Previous experience reporting on biodiversity issues and potential story ideas for the conference. Availability to travel to Cali and attend COP16 in person. Proficiency in English. An up-to-date resume/CV. A letter of support from an editor or supervisor confirming publication or broadcast plans. Recent, relevant work samples on biodiversity topics.

Applications are open to journalists from all media types (online, print, TV, radio) and freelance reporters. Past attendees of biodiversity COPs supported by EJN are ineligible. A virtual reporting fellowship will be available for remote coverage of COP16 with mentorship.

For more information click here .

Application deadline: July 6, 2024

KEY POINTS:

• Fellowship aims to enhance coverage of UN biodiversity negotiations.
• Selected journalists will report from COP16 in Cali, Colombia, in 2024.
• EJN will cover travel expenses and provide logistical support.
• Applicants must be professional journalists from eligible countries.
• Deadline for applications is July 6, 2024.