Reporting Climate Change

Since 2021 the international e-learning course “Reporting Climate Change”, developed by COPEAM – Permanent Conference of the Mediterranean Audiovisual Operators and UNINETTUNO International Telematic University, with the support of the EIB - European Investment Bank, has trained more than 60 journalists from the MENA region, the Balkans and the Sub-Saharan Africa. 

Building on this successful pilot experience, COPEAM and UNINETTUNO are now launching a new and extended version of the e-learning: “Reporting Climate Change – Microcredentials for International Journalists”, a multilingual postgraduate academic program for 2024 developed with the support of the Italian Minister of University – General Directorate for Internationalization and Communication.

EXPECTED RESULTS – EDUCATIONAL OUTPUTS After having completed this programme, the beneficiary journalists will be better able to: - spread more effectively scientific information about climate change and make it accessible and understandable to a larger public; - raise the citizens’ awareness about the current debate at both international and national level (ex. national adaptation plans and policies) concerning the main challenges and impacts related to climate change; - deliver clear and relevant messages tailored to their local context; - promote good practices and virtuous and responsible behaviors among their audience. - apply new scientific/specialistic knowledge and reporting methods in their daily job.

ENTRY REQUIREMENTS Participation is free of charge for selected beneficiaries. The training is open to max 25 journalists (becaus of a lot of interest, out of 150 applicants we have chosen 32 for 2024...since 16.7 until November - 18 weeks) working in Europe, MENA region, Balkans and Sub-Saharan Africa, selected according to following criteria: - Working as a professional journalist (TV, radio, press, online, freelance); - Have a bachelor degree or a diploma in journalism; - Being based in a country in the target regions; - Having a very good level of English as working language; - Having a background knowledge/experience about climate and environmentrelated issues; - Being highly motivated in completing the full course. Note: Candidates who are not professional journalists yet but who have completed their higher education studiesin this field can also apply. This kind of applications will be accepted if places are available and if the other criteria are met.

CONTENTS AND METHODOLOGY International experts in this field, comprising university professors, senior journalists, researchers, media specialists, have specifically produced the didactic contents of this course. The contents have been organised into 7 MODULES, including video-lessons (45 minutes each), related slides and multimedia supporting material. 

PART 1: WHAT IS CLIMATE CHANGE (4 lessons) 1.1 Introduction 1.2 The UNFCCC and the Paris Agreement 1.3 Climate finance 1.4 Climate Change in the Mediterranean Region 

PART 2: REPORTING CLIMATE CHANGE (5 lessons) 2.1 Climate change in the news 2.2 Why aren’t you reporting on climate change? 2.3 Choosing to report on climate change 2.4 How to understand science and scientists 2.5 Reporting better on climate change? 

PART 3: GREEN ECONOMY AND THE DILEMMA OF GROWTH (5 lessons) 3.1 The dilemma of growth 3.2 Decoupling 3.3 Third millennium economics on social science 3.4 Regenerative economy 3.5 Economic cost of climate change.

PART 4: CLIMATE JOURNALISM (7 lessons) 4.1 Journalistic investigations: How the global food system contributes to climate change 4.2 Journalistic investigation: The story of the “global tomato” 4.3 How to make data visualisations 4.4 How to make interactive maps 4.5 Photojournalism and the climate crisis: what to do? 4.6 Stereotypes in the media communication - Reporting climate change 4.7 Media literacy in the digital age - AI and reporting climate change PART 5: THE IMPACT OF CLIMATE CHANGE (5 lessons) 5.1 Impacts of climate change on fisheries and aquaculture 5.2 Water security 5.3 Reporting environmental migration 5.4 Energy transition 5.5 Fighting environmental crimes PART 6: CLIMATE ACTION: STRATEGIES AND POLICIES (3 lessons) 6.1 European green policies green deal and taxonomy regulation 6.2 Beyond the EU: climate strategies around the world 6.3 Geo-political implication PART 7: EXPERIENCES AND CASE STUDIES (Short interviews and video-contributions) Trainers, experts and scientists from different countries delivered the lessons above, which are specifically conceived for this training course. PROGRAM TYPOLOGY The online study program "Reporting Climate Change - Microcredentials for International Journalists" has been created by the International Telematic University UNINETTUNO following the outcomes of the European project MCE (mce.eadtu.eu/index.php), funded by the EU and carried out within the EADTU - European Association of Distance Teaching Universities in collaboration with some of the most qualified Open Universities in Europe. The study program follows the guidelines of the EU for the creation of innovative forms of academic certification of skills that meet the new needs of learners, the labor market, and society in general1. In particular, the program is part of the university training offer as an SLP - Short Learning Program, a short and innovative academic program with a professionalizing nature, providing a quick and flexible solution for the acquisition and certification of specific skills in the field of journalism and climate change. It is an academic and internationally recognized framework compliant to ECTS2 and EQF3 standards. The program will award University Educational Credits in ECTS format upon completion of the study path.

DELIVERY MODES UNINETTUNO University delivers its study programs through a variety of modes: - Courses are accessible through the university's online platform, where students can access educational materials, attend lectures, participate in interactive activities, and communicate with teachers and other students. - On-line classes: 1 on-line class for each part of the course, allowing students to participate in real-time and interact with the tutor and peers. - Multimedia educational materials: students have access to a wide range of multimedia educational materials, including videos, texts, and online resources, to support their learning and enrich their study experience. - Personalized tutoring: students can receive personalized support from an experienced tutor, who guides them in their learning journey, provide feedback, and answer their questions and doubts. These delivery modes are designed to offer flexibility and accessibility to students, allowing them to study in a way that suits their individual needs and personal commitments, while receiving high-quality education aligned with international academic standards - at the end of Program will gain 13 ECTS.

ASSESMENT METHODOLOGY In order to complete the course, each student has to watch at least 70% of the video lessons (modules 1-6). The programme is mostly based on the trainees’ individual work. The didactic contents will be accessible 24/7 on UNINETTUNO platform and are organized according to the well-established teaching methodology of the University. An interactive and exchange dimension is also ensured: thanks to the coordination and support of a professor-tutor, periodic on-line classes with the whole group of trainees will be organized (1 interactive class per module). During the programme, the trainees will be asked by the professor/tutor to choose a topic as the base of a short essay in English (max 2 pages) for each part of the programme (except PART 7 with case studies), using the acquired didactic contents. The essays are mandatory for the programme completion. A final essay (8-10 pages) summarizing all the previous works is also foreseen, pointing out the trainee’s own vision related to the passed programme (own ideas, own future activities, own proposals) related to Reporting Climate Change, according to his/her professional experience so far. WORKING LANGUAGES The video-lessons are available in English, Arabic, French and/or Italian (with voiceover or in original language). The extra didactic materials are in English.

DURATION The course will be open for 4 months (18 weeks), from 17 Jule until November 2024 (including study-time, writing essays, finalizing “one for all” report/essay).

p.s. Attached will be info for first 4 Modules as examples (out of 7)