Cambodia & Press: Launch of the “Media and One Health” project

The Ambassador of France, H.E. Jacques Pellet, took part this morning, alongside the Minister of Information, H.E. Neth Pheaktra, in the opening seminar of the “Media and One Health” project.

The French Ambassador, H.E. Jacques Pellet. Photo AKP

Implemented by CFImedias with the support of France Diplomatie, this project aims to train Cambodian and regional journalists in the scientific “One Health” approach. The role of the media is essential in combating the emergence of new diseases linked to the environment and animal health, and journalists need to have a comprehensive understanding of these complex issues in order to effectively inform the public and political decision-makers.

Launch of the “Media and One Health” project at Sunway. Photo AKP

Presentation

Southeast Asia has some of the highest levels of human and animal density in the world. However, the pressure exerted by society on the environment (deforestation, urbanisation and transport), combined with the consequences of climate change (droughts, storms and floods), can have major repercussions on health. The growing interactions between humans and animals, as we encroach on their habitats, considerably increase the epidemiological risk. This situation demands that, rather than continuing to separate environmental, veterinary and medical issues, we develop a more global and holistic vision of health that takes account of the interdependence between the state of ecosystems, animal health and human health.

The concept of “One health” was developed within the scientific community in the early 2000s to promote this approach. Researchers are striving to identify and limit risks in advance in order to better prevent future health crises. However, this ‘One Health’ approach is still largely unknown to the populations concerned and the media in South-East Asia. The little environmental information that is provided is often limited to simple reports on natural disasters.

Media for One Health is strengthening the knowledge and skills of the media in South-East Asia in the production and dissemination of information relating to the ‘One health’ approach, to enable them to achieve their objective of informing and preventing potential future crises.

Project beneficiaries

• Around fifty journalists in total, i.e. four journalists from three media outlets per country

• 160 beneficiaries of the awareness-raising days

Actions

Awareness-raising and training in the “One Health” approach

• National awareness-raising seminars

• On-site training modules for journalists

• Ongoing online training

• Creation of an online resource zone with thematic content

• Field visit to Thailand for beneficiary media

Source : CFI Medi Development