The Media Masterclass, aimed at enhancing regional resilience through the Climate and Oceans Support Program in the Pacific (COSPPac), kicked off this week in Koror, Palau. The event brought together journalists, communicators, and technical experts from various Pacific nations, representing a significant effort to improve the coverage of crucial climate and disaster management issues.
Australian Ambassador to Palau, Toby Sharpe, addressed the participants, stating that the masterclass underscores a strategic investment in regional resilience, enabling better coverage of the Second Pacific Islands Disaster Risk Management Ministerial Meeting. COSPPac has been dedicated to bolstering climate, ocean, and weather communication since 2012, focusing on engagement from the national level down to local communities.
Sharpe pointed out the importance of inclusive communication, particularly for marginalized communities, and highlighted the masterclass’s role in enhancing media training, technical partnerships, and capacity building throughout the region. This third installment of the Media Masterclass is set to strengthen collaboration between media professionals and technical experts, aimed at effectively sharing science-based content across various platforms, including print, broadcast, and social media.
The initiative emphasizes the need for the Pacific community’s voices to be accurately and compassionately represented, providing a platform for local stories while empowering communities through well-informed communication.
Organized alongside the prominent ministerial meeting, the event highlights the importance of support and partnerships that foster effective regional collaboration. This masterclass builds upon previous successful training initiatives, which include the 2019 Media Masterclass for the UN Decade of Ocean Science and the 2023 Pacific Ocean Science Conference.
Rhonda Robinson, Director for the Geoscience, Energy and Maritime Division of the Pacific Community, praised the previous models of engagement that have strengthened media and scientific collaboration. The masterclass is designed to actively incorporate community feedback and integrate traditional knowledge into climate messaging.
As efforts continue to enhance stakeholder engagement in disaster risk management and climate change, the initiative aligns with global frameworks such as the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction and the 2050 Strategy for the Blue Pacific Continent. As Pacific Island countries develop their media capabilities, there is hope for a more informed public dialogue that catalyzes meaningful action against the urgent challenges posed by climate change.
This initiative reflects the cooperative spirit needed to tackle the pressing climate challenges ahead, paving the way for a more resilient and interconnected Pacific community.