This is an opportunity provided by the Exploring the Nexus Between Climate and Inequality, specifically on Labour Right programme: Find out more

INTRODUCTION

At the Thomson Reuters Foundation, we believe journalists have a vital and powerful role in unpacking the complex issues of climate change, informing the wider public on these issues and keeping actors accountable for their climate actions through effective, nuanced, and engaging journalism. We support this by leveraging our world-leading expertise in journalism and communication to offer this free course for journalists in Bangladesh working in this crucial field. 

The 6-week workshop series will provide a deep dive into the complex intersection of climate change, inequality, and labour to unpack how journalists can better report on Just Transition challenges and solutions in impactful and relevant ways. 

The programme will be delivered by our leading trainers and experts and uses Thomson Reuters Foundation’s unique ‘dual track’ approach, which trains journalists and CSO representatives in parallel, and provides opportunities for networking and collaborative story development. This approach strengthens trust between journalists and NGOs/CSOs. 

Journalists will learn how to better report on corporate social performance by examining the data and how investors can collaborate with different actors to get the necessary information and hold relevant parties to account.

CSOs will learn how to effectively communicate their message to key stakeholders and target audiences and improve their media communication skills.

WHAT YOU WILL GAIN

After this course, you will have gained: 

• The tools and know-how to confidently report on the intersections between climate action, inequality, and labour with an understanding of the policies, key challenges and actions being taken toward Just Transition challenges.  
• New reporting angles based on Solutions Journalism principles
• Skills in data visualisation to produce data-driven, compelling stories that engage audiences. 
• An opportunity to receive a story grant along with one-on-one mentoring to support the development and publication of your story  

NOTE: Programme contents may be modified to best respond to the learning needs of the participants.

COURSE DATES AND STRUCTURE

Course Dates: January 18, 25, February 8, 15, 22, March 1, 2023

Joint Session with CSOs/NGOs: 22 February will be a joint session between journalists and CSOs.

Structure: The course will be delivered over 6 x 4-hour sessions, using online seminars and other interactive online tools. Participants will be given short activities to complete during and after each session to build skills and confidence. 

Timing: 09:00 - 13:00 Bangladesh Time.

Location: Online (Zoom)

Language: English

Application deadline: 8 January 2023

ALUMNI CLUB FOR GRADUATES

The programme will be followed by a 3-month Alumni Club where participants can focus on story outputs with monthly short sessions to receive trainer support and peer-to-peer feedback. We will also provide guest speakers, masterclasses, and networking opportunities. Alumni Club content will be driven based on topics and learning needs you request. Alumni members will also have the exciting chance to compete for story grants and be selected as delegates to the Thomson Reuters Foundation annual Trust Conference in London with flights and accommodation covered. 

WHO CAN APPLY?

• Applicants must be full-time journalists or regular contributors to media organisations in Bangladesh.
• Applicants must be fluent in English. The course will be run in English.  
• Applicants must have a minimum of three years of professional experience. 
• Applicants must have access to a minimum internet speed of 8Mb/second. (You can check the speed of your device by logging from it on www.speedtest.net). Financial support to purchase internet data can be made available for the period of the course.
• Applicants need access to a computer to participate in the course; participation from a mobile or smartphone will not be possible.

HOW TO APPLY

Complete the application survey before 8 January 2023.

If you have any difficulties applying, please email the project coordinator at Moe.Sasaki@thomsonreuters.com with Maria.Almyraki@thomsonreuters.com in Cc.  

When applying you will be asked to upload the following documents - please have these ready:

• Two relevant work samples touching on one or an intersection of the topics of climate change, inequality and labour (maximum file size 5 MB) – in English if possible. For stories not in English, please include a 250-word English summary about the story.
• Please note you will be asked to submit one or more story ideas within your application. We will not share your ideas with anyone. 

MEET THE TRAINERS

DARREN SCHUETTLER

Darren is a former Reuters journalist and currently a training consultant for the Thomson Reuters Foundation. His 26-year Reuters career included reporting, editing and newsroom leadership roles in Canada, South Africa and Southeast Asia. In Singapore, he was Asia Learning Manager. At TRF, he has designed and delivered learning on climate change policy, ESG reporting, climate change adaptation and the energy transition. Darren is a co-investigator for the Climate Disaster Project in Canada, where he studied climate science and policy at Royal Roads University in 2021.

KAVITA CHANDRAN

Kavita Chandran is a former financial journalist who has worked in newsrooms across the United States and Asia. She worked with Reuters News as a Training Editor in India and as FrontPage Editor with the Asia Top News team in Singapore. Prior to Reuters, Kavita was an editor at Bloomberg, New York. Today, she is based in Singapore and continues to write for various publications including CNBC Asia. She teaches journalism to undergraduate students at the Kaplan Institute, and Media Communications to MBA students at S.P. Jain Global School of Management.

FURTHER INFORMATION ABOUT JUST TRANSITION

Climate change is a complex and pressing challenge that the world faces with impacts exacerbating inequality across demographics and - significantly - the lives of labourers. As economic sectors are pushed to greener business practices, poorly thought-through climate action (and inaction) often intensifies labourer vulnerabilities, exposing workers to insecure and unprotected work. Within this environment, Just Transition works to secure the future and the livelihoods of workers and local communities in the transition to a low-carbon economy.