RWANDA: Journalists trained on APAC

By Justin Kayiranga

Rwandan journalists covering environmental stories were trained on the concept of the Africa Protected Areas Congress (APAC).

Known as IUCN Africa Protected Areas Congress (APAC) is the first ever continent-wide gathering of African leaders, citizens, and interest groups to discuss the role of protected areas in conserving nature, safeguarding Africa’s iconic wildlife, delivering vital life-supporting ecosystem services, promoting sustainable development while conserving Africa’s cultural heritage and traditions.

The fact that journalists covering environmental issues are being trained on APAC is a great way to increase their knowledge of APAC’s goals and to help them understand their role in activities related to the conservation of the ecosystem in general.

The training is also timely since Rwanda prepares to host the IUCN Africa Protected Areas Congress which will be actively supported by the Government of Rwanda through the Ministry of Environment, the IUCN-World Commission on Protected Areas, and the African Wildlife Foundation.

This training which was held in Kigali on November 26, 2021 was organized by the Africa Wildlife Foundation (AWF) in close collaboration with IUCN Rwanda and the Ministry of Environment.

Speaking at the training, Samuel Kasiki who represented the APAC committee at the event, said that the training is aiming at equipping journalists with basic skills and information that can help them to disseminate information about what Africa is doing in conservation.

He said “The story of conservation has been the story of non-Africans. If you look around, many of the organizations that we work with are mostly foreign and it doesn’t have to be like that.”

“We know that Africa holds significant biodiversity more than any other continent. That’s what APAC is about. APAC is about telling a wonderful story of what Africa can and needs to do for the World.” Kasiki said.

The fact that environmental journalism in Rwanda seems to be on the verge of developing there is a need for support so that journalists covering environmental stories can do it professionally either at national or international level.

The permanent Secretary in the ministry of environment Patrick Karera told journalists that the Ministry will provide support once they have a clear plan and detailed projects that need support to be carried out

“Our pledge as the ministry of Environment is that all you need to know, if you have a well detailed plan and present it to us, we promise that we will help you because it is our responsibility.” Karera said

He added that: “Also, if you have the opportunity to attend a training session or if you would like to attend an internship in the international media and you find that a recommendation from the ministry is required, please pass through us and we will recommend you”