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Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) -- On 11-12 March 2019, a training was held in Tashkent for representatives of the press services of state organizations and the media of Uzbekistan on the development of effective campaigns and the use of various tools in covering water and environmental issues at the local and national levels.
The event was organized CAREC in cooperation with German Association BORDA within “Raising Awareness and Partnership for Sustainable Water and Environmental Development in Uzbekistan” (UzWaterAware) Project funded by the European Union.
The main objectives of the training are to provide participants with best practices based on European experience, new tools of constructive journalism, storytelling, and addressing various target audiences. Also, methods of strengthening the dialogue between the government agencies, the media and civil society were considered during the training.
Among the participants were the representatives of press services of such state organizations as the Ministry of Water Resources (MWR) of the Republic of Uzbekistan, which is also the national partner of UzWaterAware, the Ministry of Agriculture Resources, Uzhydromet, the State Inspectorate for the Control of the use of drinking water under the Cabinet of Ministers of the Republic of Uzbekistan, the State Inspectorate on Control and Supervision of the technical condition and safety of the largest and most important water economy objects under the MWR. The journalists were presented by medias from various cities of Uzbekistan – Andijan, Karshi, Namangn, Navoi, Nukus, Samarkand, Tashkent and Urgench. They were selected on the results of trainings conducted in these cities by the In-Service Training Centre for Journalists within the project.
The training program was elaborated and delivered by the specialists of Bremen Overseas Research and Development Association – BORDA Mr. Christoph Sodemann, Mr. Fabio Nicoletti and Ms. Morgane Roussel Hemery. Based on experience of project implementation in 25 countries, the trainers provided participants with the examples from various countries, including Afghanistan, Africa, Germany, India, etc.
Theoretical knowledge was given in the form of real life cases and best practices for changing the situation in water and environmental issues. After presentations, the participants applied the theory into practice in an interactive form. As it was noted by the audience, the training was effective due to the synergy of press services of state organizations with journalists. Such synergy during group discussions, changing the roles and the side view on each other’s activities allowed improving capacities of participants and strengthen their cooperation.
“It was very informative and productive training. We received a lot of information about water use in different countries, work of press services and media, necessity to raise population’s awareness. Those cases showed that there are similar issues of efficient use of water resources, and this problem demands discussions and solutions,” shared her impressions Ms. Dilnoza Zakirova from online edition “Uzbekistan News”.
An important point in the participation of journalists from different regions of Uzbekistan is the opportunity to shares the gained knowledge to their colleagues. They will hold workshops in their cities in the TOT format, using the new experience, as well as applying the recommendations of methodological manual prepared by the In-Service Training Centre for Journalists.
“The journalists and press services were so actively participating and contributing during the workshop. I have a feeling that there is really strong interest from the local specialists to learn from international experience. And for us, as German, it was interesting to see how Uzbek media, environmental and water sectors are functioning. We hope that the participants will use new knowledge to address the government, the public and civil society,” said Mr. Christoph Sodemann, Head of Public Relations in BORDA.
It should be noted that CAREC partners joined the event with their presentations on current results within EU Programme “Sustainable Management of Water Resources in Rural Areas in Uzbekistan”. In particular, the participants learnt from Mr. Paluaniyaz Pirniyazov, a representative of Component 1 implemented by GIZ, and Ms. Malika Ikramova, representative of Component 2 implemented by UNDP Uzbekistan. The audience was presented with information on drip irrigation in Uzbekistan asking some questions. In addition, this information allowed making comparison and finding similar problems in different countries.
“These were two efficient days. It was very useful to hear about the work of press services in Germany, how they interact with journalists, public and civil society. A good benefit for me as a new member of the press service of the Ministry of Agriculture Resources was meeting local and regional mass media as well as colleagues from other ministries and state agencies,” mentioned Mr. Mansur Rasulev, press secretary of the Ministry.
On March 14-15, CAREC and BORDA continued their work and held another training for water and environmental NGOs and youth organizations of Uzbekistan on informative promotion and raising awareness of population. Participants were also from different cities of the country – Andijan, Fergana, Karshi, Kokand, Namangan, Nukus, Tashkent and Urgench, including those who participated in the workshops by the In-Service Training Centre for Journalists together with medias.
Representatives of non-governmental organizations were informed about the Sustainable Development Goals and how they can contribute to their popularization. The audience together in groups discussed and presented five different topics on water issues considering SDG 6 – Ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all.
“Participation in this training is a unique opportunity to enrich the knowledge, to improve the skills, and to strengthen partnership with other water and environmental NGOs. The coaches have great experience in the sphere of communication, ecology and raising awareness. I hope that together with the colleagues we will organize the workshop and share new information with other non-governmental organizations of Fergana region,” noted Ms. Khurshida Ibragimova, director of NGO “Mehrjon”.
Then, the audience showed the interest to BORDA activities as a German NGO and asked to share their personal work experience on water and environmental issues. During the training the participants discussed the difference between Uzbek and German NGOs, mechanism of their cooperation, financial sustainability. The particular interest was given to the best practice of Bremen Global Championship – an informational campaign with involvement of population: school children and their parents, teachers and NGOs, local authorities and business.
“These were four exciting days. When you conduct the workshop you always have some uncertainty that you pick the right topics and examples. After the trainings, I think that the groups were well-prepared, and what we chose, the way we presented and the mixture of the methods and activities used met the needs, demands and level of participants. If we can motivate them and make them more sure in what they are doing that will be a great success,” concluded Mr. Fabio Nicoletti, Project Manager for environment, climate and water in BORDA.
The trainers also expressed their hope that one of the training outcomes will be further cooperation of Uzbek and international experts.