On October 23–24, 2024, public lectures were held at Comrat State University as part of the Eco Media Academy program, organized by the Association of Environmental Journalists of the Republic of Moldova (AJMTEM) with the support of the Swedish Embassy in Chișinău and UNDP Republic of Moldova.
The program was developed for students from six universities in Republic of Moldova, including Comrat State University. The goal of the course was to teach around 100 students the basics of water resource protection and provide them with the skills needed to analyze local environmental issues. Special attention was given to the impact of climate change, pollution, and waste management on water resources. The series of lectures on environmental journalism aimed to help young people, including future journalists, not only address current environmental challenges but also raise awareness of their role in protecting the environment and water resources.
The lectures were delivered by six experts in ecology, covering the following topics:
- Introduction to the study program. What is environmental journalism. Sources of environmental information. Current environmental issues at the national level.
Cătălina Molodoi, Executive Director of AJMTEM
- Waste management in the Republic of Moldova: problems, challenges, solutions. Examples of journalistic materials.
Aurelia Bahnaru, E-Circular
- Effects of climate change.
Ecaterina Melnicenco, UNDP Moldova
- Environmental journalism on social media. The experience of Ecopresa.
Eliza Orlova, Social Media Manager, Ecopresa
- Protection of surface water resources in the Republic of Moldova. Water resource management in the Dniester Basin. State of rivers, problems, solutions. Examples of journalistic materials.
Elena Culighin, National Environmental Center, researcher at the Institute of Chemistry
- What is biodiversity and how it supports life, ecosystem services, and biodiversity assessment. Forest ecosystems and protected habitats. National program for forest expansion and restoration, incentives for reforestation. Examples of journalistic materials.
Aurel Lozan, biodiversity expert
Environmental journalism in Republic of Moldova plays a crucial role in highlighting current environmental issues, such as waste management, climate change, water resource protection, and biodiversity. It contributes to informing the public, raising awareness, and mobilizing citizens to participate in solving environmental challenges. The use of social media and the publication of journalistic materials help expand the audience and stimulate discussions on critical issues aimed at improving the state of the environment and sustainable development of the country.
