Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) -- Within the framework of UNESCO’s IPDC project Training in Central Asia in Reporting Environmental News Online, a regional training of trainers workshop took place in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, from 21 to 25 November 2008. Organized by the Digital Informational Network on Environment and Sustainable Development in Central Asia and Russia (CARNet), the workshop focused on the Basics of Environmental Web Journalism.

Fifteen participants from five Central Asian countries (Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan and Tajikistan) participated in the five-day event. Above all, participants acquired skills necessary to practice environmental journalism on the web.

The activity commenced at the backdrop of a letter signed by five Ministers of Environment of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan and Tajikistan supporting the idea of training of trainers on education for sustainable development within the framework of UNESCO activities.

The Interstate Commission on Sustainable Development for Central Asia (ICSD) formally supported CARNet’s Central Asian course on the coverage of environmental news on the Internet. Members of ICSD also noted that the organization of such events will greatly enhance the implementation of the Aarhus Convention, increase public awareness and improve the quality and timeliness of reporting on environmental issues.

The Chairman of the Tajik Government Committee on the Environment, Mr Zikirov, stated: “In my country, we are constantly looking for ways to improve interaction amongst journalists. For example, we organize press conferences for journalists twice a month in Tajikistan. But unfortunately the use of Internet technologies is not yet sufficiently widespread. I very much hope that with the support of UNESCO and through this initiative to improve the skills of journalists, we will address this issue and facilitate the rapid dissemination of information.”

UNESCO’s International Programme for the Development of Communication (IPDC) supported participants from three Central Asian countries - Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan. Trainers from Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan were also invited to participate in this regional training thanks to co-financing from the Regional Environment Centre for Central Asia.