Journos attend RAC’s Mekong forum
THE Royal Academy of Cambodia (RAC) and the Club of Cambodian Journalists (CCJ) jointly organised a three-day workshop on the “Participation of the media in Mekong regional peace, stability and prosperity”. The workshop aimed to raise journalists’ awareness of several issues surrounding reporting on the sustainability of the Mekong River.
The event was held at the RAC from April 26-28, with 69 attendees from the six nations of the Mekong-Lancang region: Cambodia, China, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand and Vietnam.
RAC International Relations Institute director Kin Phea said the training was conducted in the form of lectures from experts, open group discussions, case studies and analysis, and lessons on writing and audiovisual reporting on issues related to the Mekong region.
“Journalists have a very important role to play in sharing the truth about the Mekong region and make an indispensable contribution to make the peace, stability and prosperity of the region,” he said.
He noted that the Mekong Basin has long been plagued by disputes over water resources management, economic development, trade, infrastructure development, investment and environmental and ecological protection.
“Therefore, the six countries of the Mekong-Lancang region regularly hold consultations, dialogues, exchanges of experiences and cooperation projects to enhance mutual
benefits and trust and strengthen the level of cooperation,” he said.
CCJ adviser Ky Soklim said that following the workshop, he expected that all of the participants, including Cambodian and foreign journalists, will have a renewed interest in reporting on topics related to the Mekong region.
“When we describe peace, we are talking about a positive relationship between people.
Sometimes in the Mekong region, there is a lack of understanding between different groups. Journalists can change this, by sharing stories about the various parts of the region, and how its people live,” he said.
“They could talk about their challenges, or even their hopes and dreams. This will allow people to gain an understanding of each other, and then they will be able to work together to develop the Mekong region,” he added.
Journalists attending the workshop said that Mekong River is a major element in the lives of millions of people in six different nations and journalists should be aware of its importance. They said journalists should participate in educating the public on how they can conserve the river, as it is a precious resource.
The workshop aimed to raise awareness and understanding of the political and electoral systems, democratic processes, and the conduct of elections in the Mekong region. It also reviewed cooperation frameworks in the region, including key political agendas and operations.