The Caucasus International University (CIU) and the Journalism Resource Center (JRC), with the support of the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation, hosted the International Scientific Conference “Agro-ecological and Climate-wise Reporting and Communication” on December 10-11.
This event represents the first academic and analytical platform in the South Caucasus, dedicated to strengthening collaboration between climate-wise journalism, agrocommunication, and regional media-universities.
The main goal of the conference was to identify challenges in the field, highlight the role of cross-border cooperation and media partnerships in climate-resilient development, share best practices, and build the foundation for a long-term regional research and education network.
The conference was opened in the panoramic space of the Caucasus International University Multimedia Center. CIU Rector Kakhaber Kordzaia, Head of JRC Natia Kuprashvili, Advisor to CIU Chancellor, Professor Nino Chalaganidze, and Head of ALCP Program Helen Bradber addressed the community attending the event.
CIU Rector, Kakhaber Kordzaia, stressed the importance of producing accurate, fact-based information policy for climate change and the agro-sector: “Climate change is a global challenge… In such conditions, accurate and understandable information must reach society… Universities and media can contribute to the success of this process – universities create new knowledge, and the media is responsible for bringing that knowledge to the population. “
Nino Chalaganidze noted that CIU has been actively working on these issues for a long time. The first step was the manual “Agrojournalism”, which was published in five languages and installed in media schools in the South Caucasus countries. He affirmed that the goal of the conference is to find ways to present problems to the audience so that, in the future, society can change its behavior towards nature.
Helen Bradberry emphasized that shedding climate adaptation issues is vital for the people of Azerbaijan, Armenia, and Georgia, whose lives are connected to agriculture.
The conference was held in two sessions. Georgian, Armenian, and Azerbaijani scientists participated in the common plenary session, which was moderated by Natia Kuprashvili. They introduced the audience to the results of a field study on climate-wise journalism and agro-sector coverage.
The second part of the event included two parallel modules: Scientific Studies (Moderator: Nino Chalaganidze) – 15 scientific papers were presented at the conference, which addressed problems caused by climate change and their socio-economic outcomes; Student sessions (Director: Nina Kheladze, JRC) – Student active engagement aimed at introducing young researchers and climatego To raise awareness in garlic journalism And to instill innovation.
Within the framework of the conference, on December 11, a plenary session was organized in the audiovisual space “Holiseum”, the main topic of which was “Media involvement in climate-wise storytelling: perspectives on agriculture and agrotourism development”. High-level representatives of field associations, academic circles, and media organizations were involved in this discussion.
The conclusion of the conference was the announcement and award ceremony of the winners of the International Media Competition. The Journalism Resource Center (JRC) has identified the South Caucasian journalists who have most effectively covered the issues of climate change, sustainable agriculture, and local development. Prizes were given to: Nanuka Meshvulashvili, Samira Bairamova, Khachik Danieliani, and Angela Stefaniani.
Today was the end of the conference, Vakhtang Tsivtsivadze, Chancellor of the Caucasus International University, who emphasized the strategic importance of the event in the process of developing climate-wise journalism and strengthening the regional educational network. The Chancellor also participated in part of the awards and awarded one of the winning participants personally.
It is noteworthy that up to 100 works have been entered in the competition, indicating high interest from the media in climate change and environmental issues. The works of the winning contestants will be integrated into the training modules on climate change.
At the end of the event, each participant of the conference was given a certificate, and the selected articles will be printed in a scientific publication.
