Two-Day Workshop on Empowering Future Journalists on Low Carbon Sustainable Development begins at Central University of Punjab

Bathinda, March 28, 2024: The Central University of Punjab, under the patronage of Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Raghavendra P. Tiwari, organized the inaugural session of a Two-Day Workshop on Empowering Future Journalists on Low Carbon Sustainable Development. The Department of Mass Communications and Media Studies at the Central University of Punjab, Bathinda, in collaboration with the Centre for Media Studies (CMS), a Delhi-based organization, is organizing this 'Media Students Capacity Building Program on Low Carbon and Sustainable Development' on March 27-28, 2024. This capacity-building program is supported by the Australian High Commission, New Delhi, and aims to create awareness about climate change and provide knowledge about low-carbon sustainable development among students.

During the inaugural session, Prof. Raghavendra P. Tiwari, the Vice-Chancellor, CU Punjab, and Annu Anand, Director, CMS Programs, graced the occasion as the Chief Guest and the Special Guest, respectively.

While interacting with participants, Annu Anand, Director, CMS Programs, stated that CMS has been conducting mainstream media and media student engaging programs on climate change and related aspects for the past seven years. She emphasized that this workshop is part of five state-level training workshops for postgraduate media students of North India, aimed at fostering environmentally conscious journalism. "In an era where the impacts of climate change loom large and sustainable development becomes an urgent necessity, the role of media professionals is more crucial than ever. The responsibility of future media practitioners in accurately and responsibly disseminating information on climate change and sustainable issues cannot be overstated," said Annu Anand, Director of CMS Programs.

In his presidential address, Prof. Raghavendra P. Tiwari, the Vice-Chancellor, underscored that the heightened drive for development worldwide in the era of the industrial revolutions has resulted in an increase in carbon footprints due to the excessive utilization of natural resources. This has not only led to an increase in cases of flash floods and droughts in several areas but has also brought forth challenges of global warming and climate change to the entire human civilization. The India Knowledge System has always guided us to live life on the principle of minimalism and channelize our efforts for the preservation of the natural environment and adopt sustainable development practices. Prof. Tiwari expressed a firm belief that this workshop will help in capacity building of youngsters who will spread awareness about the importance of adopting Low Carbon Development and Sustainable Development strategies in our daily lifestyle and thereby help India become a Zero Carbon Emission Country.

On the first day of this workshop, Annu Anand, Director of CMS Programs, along with her team of well-known practitioners and experts in the field of climate science, sustainable development, and media comprising Vernica Prakash Kapoor, Director of Greentech Knowledge Solution (P) Ltd., and Nishant Saxena, Climate Science Communication Expert, conducted four interactive sessions. The participants were provided with detailed knowledge on Basics of Climate Change & the Need for Low-Carbon Development, How to Tell a Compelling Sustainable Development or Climate Change Story, Good Practices & Actors for Low-Carbon Development and Low-Carbon Cities, and Tools and Techniques for Writing Reports.

On the second day, participants will visit the Climate Resilient Cattle Shed at Regional Research Centre and Training Centre, GADVASU, to gain knowledge about climate-resilient livestock production systems. The exposure visit will help students to get real-world scenarios and be able to think and work towards environment-related issues and a sustainable future.

The inaugural session commenced with the Welcome Address by Dr. Rubal Kanozia, Associate Professor and Workshop Convener, who informed that more than 80 participants from different departments comprising Indian and International students registered for this workshop. Prof. V.K. Garg, Head, MCMS Dept, shed light on the program's theme. Towards the end, Dr. Bhavnath Pandey, Dean School of Information and Communication Studies, gave the formal vote of thanks. Faculty from Dept. of MCMS including Dr. Chhavi Garg, Dr. Paramveer Singh, Dr. Mahesh Meena along with research scholars and students attended this programme. The valedictory session of this workshop will be organized on March 28, 2024.