The term "climate migration" often implies a massive influx of people into Europe due to climate issues. However, that does not portray the true story of the 22 million people displaced yearly by climate events. Led by leading journalists, photographers, and academics, these workshops explored the complexities and nuances surrounding this urgent topic.
Prepared by Open Eyes Institute, the series consisted of workshops on legal frameworks, investigative techniques and the art of visualising climate migrants. The primary aim of these workshops was to explore the links between climate and migration, clear common misconceptions and equip journalists with the ethical and climate-sensitive reporting skills needed to cover these stories effectively.
Around 70 participants attended the webinar, mostly European investigative journalists covering environmental, climate and migration issues — journalists from established media and freelancers alike.
The participants of this workshop got information about relevant laws and common myths, and gain skills for effective reporting to present their findings clearly and compellingly. You can find additional information on this page.
- Workshop 1: Unpacking "Climate Migrants" - Myths, Meanings, and Legalities
Tuesday 10 December, 5 to 6.30pm (CET)
The session's guest was Dr. David Durand-Delacre, Senior Researcher at the Institute for Environment and Human Security at United Nations University. Ismail Einashe moderated the session.
- Workshop 2: Ethical Reporting on Climate Migrants - Navigating Challenges and Nuances
Wednesday 11 December, 5 to 6.30pm (CET)
The session's guests were Abdi Latif Dahir, the East Africa Correspondent for The New York Times, Rosa Meneses, the former Middle East and North Africa Editor of El Mundo, and Elli Zotou, an award-winning freelance journalist. Ismail Einashe moderated the session.
- Workshop 3: Visualising Migration and Climate Change Thursday
12 December, 5 to 6.30pm (CET) Kate Stanworth, Photographer and Picture Editor, along with Fabeha Monir, Visual Journalist & Filmmaker and Sandra Mehl, Documentary Photographer & Filmmaker and Aji Styawan, Photojournalist & Documentary Photographer. Ismail Einashe moderated the session.
The workshop made an impact in two ways. First, they brought together a group of interested
journalists. All these people, sharing the same interest could ask questions in the question hour,
after the panel discussion. With those questions, they inspired each other in their work. This
strengthened their professional working atmosphere.
Second, in most cases, the experts at these sessions meet for the first time. They were very
impressed by each other and exchanged data. Which expanded their partner network. This is always
a nice, but important side effect of these kinds of sessions. Important because these people, the
experts in their field, can really strengthen each other with knowledge exchange and research.
