Workshop for East and West African communicators on circular economy

Significant knowledge and empirical evidence are produced in technical assistance projects focusing on the practical implementation and innovation around environmental goods and services towards more circular production and trade systems. To enhance impact and knowledge related to applied circular economy projects under the Sustainable Manufacturing and Environmental Pollution (SMEP) Programme, and to empower civil society audiences with knowledge to drive systemic change, UNCTAD and Africa 21  joined forces to deliver capacity-building and targeted training activities for journalists and communicators based in East and West Africa. The initiative was also co-sponsored by UNESCO.

The aim of the event was to raise awareness among African journalists of developments in the various sectors of the Circular Economy and in particular in plastics pollution mitigation efforts at the INC process and at the WTO dialogue on plastics. The aim was to impart knowledge to improve the quality of their reporting and analysis towards national audiences, helping to build knowledge and understanding of other key stakeholders in the region, providing communicators with first-hand contact with projects and authorities partnering with SMEP.

The capacity building activity, involving a competitive selection of attendees, intended to enable journalists to produce more knowledgeable and interesting reporting, disseminating knowledge materials to key stakeholders in civil society enabling them to make more informed decisions.

The main objective of the workshop training was to help strengthen capacities and understanding among journalists in the specific area of circular economy, particularly plastic pollution mitigation options and related multilateral processes, so that they have the knowledge and tools to produce better quality, more interesting and informative reporting towards national and regional audiences. There was also focus on other areas of circular economy, showing how the principles can be applied across various sectors and that they are often interlinked.

Another objective of the initiative was, by the improvement of reporting in national and regional press of these topics, to increase awareness and understanding of key stakeholders in East and West Africa on structural changes which are underway related to circular economy, so that these stakeholders are better informed and prepared to make institutional decisions on material transition, product passports, and alternative business models with lower environmental impact.

During the week of 6 to 10 November 2023, speakers and trainers from various international institutions interacted with the journalists. There was a collaboration with the East African Circular Economy Conference and a site visit to the Mr. Green Recycling facility in Nairobi, where SMEP funding is also being used to improve water management in their recycling process. These visits helped to bring to life what was being discussed.

The journalists are now producing content based on the knowledge gained and experts interviewed during the week. This content is being linked with SMEP projects and with local issues in their countries of origin (Ghana, Nigeria, Rwanda, Uganda, Ethiopia and Kenya).