Biodiversity Assessment and Media Training Workshop in Monywa
From August 15-17, a biodiversity assessment and media training workshop was held in Monywa. The training program was focused on communicating on development, biodiversity and livelihoods in the Chindwin River Basin. Endorsed by Stockholm Environmental Institute (SEI) and Myanmar Environmental Institute (MEI), the workshop was attended by over 20 participants from government and non-government organizations and 6 participants from local media.
The aim of the workshop was to build the capacity of participants to use tools for biodiversity assessment. Meanwhile, the media training aimed to expand the capacity of local Myanmar media in communicating on development, biodiversity and livelihood in the Chindwin River Basin.
On the last day of the training program, there was a field trip to perform survey about livelihood and biodiversity, together with the participants and the instructors at Min Ma village near Pin Taung Reserved Forest. The participants learnt from SEI and MEI scientists about the scientific assessment of biodiversity in the Chindwin River Basin. The assessment included:
- key threats to Chindwin biodiversity,
- the uses of biodiversity resources by local people for their livelihoods, and
- the ways and means for protecting biological resources
In interactive sessions, the media participants learnt practical tips to approach researching sources and interviewing, and to identify audiences for their stories. This workshop helped to build a bridge between science and media to connect with policy making. Also it helps to raise public awareness on environmental conservation and get to better understand biodiversity in Chindwin River Basin.
Getting to know the training program:
Biodiversity Training and Assessment (PDF)
Training Workshop for Media (PDF)
