PHOTO: A woman pounding millet in Opara village-Photo by Simon Wokorach
Regional Agroecology Media Workshop
Background and Rationale:
Agroecology has the explicit goal of strengthening the sustainability of all parts of the food system, from the seed and the soil to the table, including ecological knowledge, economic viability, and social justice.
Agroecology is climate resilient, environmentally and health-friendly. Agroecology draws knowledge and experiences of small-scale farmers hence promoting sovereignty and sustainability. It is critical to demonstrate that Agroecology should be the way forward for agriculture for healthy food systems.
ESAFF Uganda strongly believes journalists and communicators are crucial players in advancing Agroecology. It is believed that once their capacity and knowledge in Agroecology is enhanced, they play a crucial role in increasing comprehensive awareness and appreciation of Agroecology among policymakers, consumers, and small-scale farmers as the main pillar in creating a sustainable food system and guaranteeing food sovereignty, sharpening the discussion of food systems towards Agroecology.
The Agroecology Online School for Journalists and Communicators was therefore established by ESAFF Uganda. The foundation of this school entails a number of tasks, such as the creation of course materials, the creation of an online learning environment, and the development of a powerful Agroecology-focused movement of journalists and communicators, among other things. As a result, it is anticipated that these communicators and journalists will cover more Agroecology-related news at the local, state, and federal levels.
ESAFF Uganda in partnership with Northern Uganda Media Club (NUMEC) therefore seeks to train journalists and communicators in Northern Uganda on important aspects of Agroecology and empower them on identifying unique Agroecology stories that they can report about.
Objectives:
The training aims at building the capacity of journalists and communicators on Agroecology based reporting and writing.
Methodology:
ESAFF Uganda working together with Northern Uganda Media Club (NUMEC) will identify 20 journalists from Northern Uganda who will be taken through a day’s training on Agroecology. The training will be done using PowerPoint presentations where journalists will be exposed to the various modules under the online Agroecology course for journalists and communicators. The workshop will also employ question and answer sessions, brainstorming as well as group work sessions.
Participants and date:
ESAFF Uganda and NUMEC will select 20 journalists to be part of the workshop. Additionally, 2 ESAFF Uganda staff and 3 NUMEC staff will also attend the Regional Agroecology Media Workshop.
The Regional Agroecology Media Workshop will be held on the 23rd of June 2023 in Gulu district at the NUMEC office.
Training focus areas:
- Understanding the concept of Agroecology and agriculture policies.
- Understanding of agroecological farming practices by small-scale farmers and the key benefits of Agroecology from a small-scale farmers’ perspective.
- Up-to-date techniques of communication Agroecology as a journalist or communicator.
- Movement building for promoters of Agroecology in Uganda.
- Discussion on different focus areas for agroecology stories in the communities.
Expected outcomes:
Increased understanding of the role of journalists and communicators in upscaling agroecology in Uganda.
- Increased understanding of the role of journalists and communicators in upscaling agroecology in Uganda.
- Built partnership between Northern Uganda Media Club (NUMEC) and the Agroecology School for Journalists and Communicators.
- Increased coverage of agroecology by members of the Northern Uganda Media Club (NUMEC)
How to Apply:
Interested journalists should apply online by filling out the form below by Monday 19th June 2023 before close of business:
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