DevCom Student Qualifies for Regional Environmental Journalism Training

A senior Development Communication student from Bukidnon State University (BukSU) has earned a spot in the Green Beat Caravan: Environmental Journalism Program for Campus Journalists, an initiative designed to foster environmental awareness and reporting through capacity-building and knowledge exchange.

Meca Simborio, the lone representative from BukSU, joins the group of 20 student journalists from Northern Mindanao selected to participate in the Cagayan de Oro leg of the program.

The Green Beat Caravan is made possible through the support of the Government of Canada through the Canada Fund for Local Initiatives. It is implemented in partnership with the Ateneo de Cagayan-Xavier University’s Development Communication program and the Association of Young Environmental Journalists (AYEJ).

“I found out about the caravan through a former instructor in the DevCom department and she shared about Green Beat Caravan. It piqued my interest after reading the program briefer,” said Simborio. “I feel overwhelmingly grateful since I never thought I would be one of the few who will be selected, there is also a hint of pressure knowing that I am the only student coming from BukSU.”

According to AYEJ, the youth plays a crucial role in driving environmental action through storytelling and amplifying solutions to environmental challenges.

“We envision being the primary source of positive stories about solutions being developed by individuals, communities, governments, and businesses which deviate from the pessimism of environmental issues and bring them to a more progressive attention,” shared AYEJ, which is a youth-led non-profit organization, is committed to advancing environmental sustainability by empowering young people through media training and education.

“I learned from our discipline the vital role of science communicators. Participating in programs like the Green Beat Caravan and collaborating with students from other universities will undoubtedly sharpen my skills as an aspiring environmental journalist. I am committed to sharing knowledge gained from the training and workshops with the student body,” Simborio added.

The Green Beat Caravan will focus on six areas nationwide (Cagayan de Oro City, Zamboanga City, Cebu City, Baybay City, Malolos City, and Naga City) over hybrid capacity-building workshops with key topics on Gender-Responsive Considerations, and the Safety of Journalists and Press Freedom beginning on January 6, 2025. (BukSU-Information Unit)