Belize Training Examines Dams, Oil Development, Waste Management and More

On August 10-12, 2007, the International Center for Journalists carried out its second annual workshop for Belizean journalists at Chaa Creek Resort, Cayo District, Belize on conservation and environmental reporting.

Bob Thomas interviewed at the Belize City dump by participant Keith Swift from Channel 5 news

Eighteen journalists from television, radio, print and online media in Belize attended training in the form of seminars, practice sessions and field trips. Participants learned from veteran U.S. radio journalism trainer Dale Willman basic environmental reporting skills and techniques, including interviewing and formulating focus statements in story writing. They also gained topical knowledge from both local and U.S. experts about various environmental challenges faced by Belize.

Participants went on a site visit to Belize City dump led by U.S. environmental communication expert Dr. Robert Thomas to better understand waste management and its implications for environmental degradation and public health. They were also briefed by local experts from different Belizean government agencies on waste disposal, urban and agricultural runoff issues, damming of rivers, as well as other important environmental challenges for Belize.

On a field trip to the Vaca Dam on the Macal River as well as the Mopan River, Dr. Colin Young, a local environmental scientist at

Chaa Creek workshop participants and trainers

Galen University helped participants understand such important issues of concern as water quality, the potential impact of dam construction on biodiversity, river sanitation and local ecological equilibrium. Participants also learned about Belizean oil exploration and development from both expert presentations and firsthand observation of the operation of Belize Natural Energy Ltd. (BNE) facilities in Cayo district. Furthermore, participants received an overview of PACT Belize’s new environmental education strategy, and discussed the organization’s commitment to improving environmental journalism in Belize through helping the Belize Environmental Reporters Network (BERN).

The workshop was part of a three-year initiative by ICFJ to improve environmental reporting in Belize funded by the Oak Foundation, the Protected Areas Conservation Trust (PACT) Belize, and the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation.

Anonymous participant evaluations indicated a high level of satisfaction among the journalists who attended the workshop. “The responsibility is left now with us journalists,” one comment in an evaluation notes. “We need to do our part in sending the messages to the public.”