Using New Media to Report and Document Climate Change

Women’sNet is a feminist organisation that works to advance gender equality and justice in South Africa through the use of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs).

Following the Women in Media and Environment Conference, Women’sNet, in partnership with the Media Development and Diversity Agency (MDDA), is hosting a workshop on 'Using New Media to Report and Document Climate Change', from 22-25 November 2011 in Johannesburg and from 28 November to 9 December 2011 in Durban.

The COP17 conference will be held from 28 November to 9 December 2011. 12 years after the adoption of the Kyoto Protocol, the United Nation Conference of the Parties (COP) will reconvene in Durban to discuss climate change.

The Johannesburg workshop will be the first phase in a series of activities facilitated around the COP17 conference, with the aim of empowering women to produce information that offers an alternative to mainstream media coverage, makes the link between the global issue of climate changes and local communities in South Africa. The workshop will propose a feminist perspective on environmental issues and also voice the concerns of South African women. As the voice of women is missing from critiques, debates and reports on climate change, our participation in offering an alternative voice through citizen journalism is crucial to ensure that women’s interest are taken into account in the negotiation undertaken by the COP conference.

Participants are invited to be part of the following activities:

• Johannesburg workshop: 22-25 November 2011 - Introduction to climate change issues, citizen journalism, social media and mobile advocacy. Participants will create online content to share with partners locally and around the globe;
• Durban conference: 28 November to 9 December 2011 - Attendance to the Durban COP17 events and C17 civil society events to be held at the University of KwaZulu-Natal campus. Reporting and commenting on the conference using Online Platforms and linking to alternative media with the help of Women’sNet facilitators;
• Report back activity: To be held in Johannesburg following the conference.

Women’sNet will cover the cost of participation (transport, accommodation and food) to the Johannesburg workshop and the Durban COP17 conference for 10 participants.

Only 10 journalists will be selected, so please hurry and send in your motivation to secure your participation.

To register your participation, RSVP before 18 November 2011.

Contact Women’sNet Co-Director, Lerato Legoabe, Tel: 011 429 0000, E-mail: lerato@womensnet.org.za or Fanisa@womensnet.org.za.

For more about Women’sNet, refer to www.womensnet.org.za.

To view other events, refer to www.ngopulse.org/group/home-page/events.