In the frame of projects Arhus for journalists, we organized a two-day training on 21-22 July 2020 in Veles. The training was attended by 10 journalists from Skopje, Veles, Stip, Strumica, Prilep, and two trainers as well as two members of the JHR – project coordinator and president.

The participants in the Aarhus training for journalists gained knowledge about the Aarhus Convention and the three pillars of the convention. Several points emerged from the training:

– Networking is necessary for the needs of the project but also for further work of journalists on environmental topics,

– An accessible for use database is needed and instructions, ie. a handbook for journalists which is actually part of the project activities,

– A positive reaction was expressed for the formation, ie. use of resources from the Aarhus Center that would have “special” links with journalists, in terms of informing and briefing on events, public participation, and access to justice on environmental issues,

– Willingness to participate in mentoring work and preparation of environmental stories has been expressed in the context of what has been learned about Aarhus Convention, in the next 4 months.

The trainers presented the material and fulfilled the agenda on three levels:

  1. Explanation of the Aarhus Convention and the importance of acquainting journalists/ editors with the possibilities for stories related to it.
  2. The Aarhus Convention as a tool through examples.
  3. Basic journalistic approaches.

Special attention at the end of the training was given to the work of journalists in times of crisis, pandemic, and similar, and how to operate in special, emergency conditions.

The participants in the training had the opportunity to express themselves, actively participate and ask questions in order to clarify the ways of access to information and the importance of timely and verified information. False information and how to deal with it was part of the agenda. Peace journalism as an approach was also explained and accepted by the participants.

The starter kit for journalists included “GoPro” camera as sound and image recorder, memory card, backpack, notebook, pen. The participants showed satisfaction and readiness with this starter kit to make stories that will be prepared in the future with the help of mentors. Attachment: pictures of the starter kit.

On the end of project was published the guide for environmental journalism.