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09-01-2012 Review CSJ-SEA Program 2011 |
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| 2011 Review: Conflict Sensitive Journalism in Southeast Asia Training Program (CSJ-SEA) Also in 2011 PECOJON continued its flagship program in Southeast Asia with eight events in the Philippines and Indonesia.
One more course on Handling Stress and Trauma has been conducted in each of the two countries aiming at equipping journalists with better skills to cope with stress and traumatic experiences. In the last two years a group of peer supporters has been formed in the Philippines to support fellow journalists in situations where things run havoc and emotional support is needed to cope with stressful and traumatic events.
Also in Indonesia now a group begins to form and will begin their training next year.
In September Philippine journalists and editors gathered for another CSJ1 course at the Bee Farm in Bohol.The training provided exchange between young reporters and experienced editors and a chance to bring more clarity into recent stories and issues about the complex political and economic landscape of the country. |
The course was followed by a gathering of PECOJONs Philippine members of the trainers' pool who assessed progress and challenges of mainstreaming Conflict Sensitive Journalism in the country, explored needs for further trainers' development and plans for 2012.
In Indonesia the first course, a CSJ2 follow up course, was held in Singkawang, Kalimantan, in October. During last years first course with the same group, held in Pontianak, a conflict between different ethnic groups in Singkawang had been focus of the discussions. During the follow up, held at the very heart of last years struggles, Singkawang proved to have more complex but also fascinating stories to challenge the journalists; economic issues, environmental and health concerns add to the often superficially reported political issues that fill the pages of the local news media.Another CSJ1 was held in Yogyakarta which was followed by a special one-day introduction to Conflict Sensitive Journalism for editors who couldn't join the full course due to time constrains.
The last training of the program in 2011 was held in Ambon. Just a few weeks before the area had experienced a renewed escalation of the ongoing conflict between various groups. Although often seen as a religiously motivated conflict discussions among the journalists unveiled many more underlying interests that drive the situation. The training was welcomed by the experienced participants as a great opportunity to improve their strategies for reporting the ongoing tensions and the vivid sharing of knowledge, information and experiences brought new clarity and understanding.
So, once more PECOJON and the International Institute for Journalism of GIZ look back to a successfull year and look forward to continuing the program with fresh enthusiasm and commitment in 2012. 
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