WORLD RADIO DAY: Concept Note of the AUB-UNDRR- RTS Regional Climate Summit, 13 - 14 February 2025, Dakar - Senegal
AUB-UNDRR- RTS Regional Climate Summit
13th February 2024
Theme: Reaching the last mile: Radio for Climate Action
Concept Note
Climate change, one of the most pressing issues of our time, requires mass mobilization, accurate information dissemination and sustained public engagement. Radio with its extensive reach, cost-effectiveness, and ability to bridge digital divides, holds immense potential in informing, educating and engaging diverse audiences on climate-related issues. This summit explores the synergy between radio and climate change communication.
While digital media has transformed climate communication, access remains uneven across various regions, particularly in remote and rural areas where internet access is limited. Radio, on the other hand, remains one of the most accessible media platforms worldwide.
Reaching millions of listeners, radio can effectively address the gap by providing timely, local, and contextually relevant climate information. Its portability and resilience in extreme weather events further underscore its role in reaching communities at risk.
The African Union of Broadcasting (AUB) and the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR) recognize the power of radio to reach millions of listeners and effectively address the climate crisis by providing timely, local, and relevant information.
Through the ‘Media Saving Lives Initiative’, the AUB and UNDRR have trained more than one thousand journalists on climate change and disaster risk reduction reporting. This regional summit on climate change zeros in on the ability of radio to accompany people even on the move and its resilience in extreme weather events, which further highlights its crucial role in reaching millions of people at risk, especially in rural and other hard to reach places.
The Summit
The African Union of Broadcasting is the largest professional radio and television organization in Africa. It has over 80 public and private radio and television organizations as members.
Covering the entire continent, its mission is to promote broadcasting in Africa which is mindful of the expectations and aspirations of the people.
In keeping with its continental mandate, the AUB has the obligation to contribute by engaging all stakeholders and partners in a collective and indepth reflection on synergy, strategies and actionable recommendations to ensure that radio keeps pace with the evolving climate urgency, hence the organization of this Summit.
Aim of the Summit:
The Summit seeks to engage radio stations to provide contextually relevant coverage of climate change and to integrate such in their programming. Also to contribute to the ongoing efforts at fostering inclusive participation and action at the grassroots. The summit will explore the potentials of radio to make meaningful impact in Africa’s fight against climate change by promoting innovative, community based, people-centered and reliable information which takes into account local realities and indigenous knowledge.
Specific objectives of the Summit:
- Address the unique role of Radio in climate action:
- Enhance collaboration between Radio, NDMA’s and various stakeholders
- Address the role of Radio in Risk communication and Early warning systems
Modules:
1- Empowering Local Voices: Community Radio in Promoting Early Warning and Disaster Preparedness in Marginalized Communities
2- Indigenous knowledge and cultural narratives: Reflecting and Shaping Community Perspectives on Climate Resilience and Adaptation strategies through radio programs
3- Catalyzing Policy Change: Advancing a Just Energy Transitions through Community based radio Broadcasts
4- Bridging the Information Gap: the role of radio in addressing Climate Change Health Impacts
Through these thematic discussions, the summit will raise awareness on how radio can be used to increase public understanding of climate science, impacts and the urgency of climate action. It will also highlight how radio content on local adaptation strategies can help communities to prepare for and respond to climate emergencies and by so doing reduce their potential impacts. Experts at the summit will also share best practices on how to amplify local voices by providing platforms for vulnerable communities, indigenous peoples and marginalized groups to share their experiences, insights and tested solutions through radio. Useful tips will also be shared on how to build the drive for greater public participation and involvement in global climate action initiatives by mobilizing communities at the local, regional and national levels.
Target audience:
The conference is dedicated to middle managers of member organizations of the African Union of Broadcasting as well as community radio journalists, climate change oriented civil society organizations, the academic and research communities.
DRAFT AGENDA
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