Capacity Development and Training Workshop Series for Media Professionals: Air and Plastic Pollution and Health

Thematic Areas

• Air and Plastic Pollution and Health

Benefits

• Participants will benefit from:
  • Interactive Sessions: Engage with experts and peers to explore the complexities of reporting on air and plastic pollution, with a focus on their health impacts, including respiratory illnesses, microplastic exposure, and environmental degradation.
  • Simulation Exercise: Put their knowledge into practice through a guided, real-world storytelling scenario, supported by facilitators and subject matter experts in health and environmental reporting.
  • Networking Opportunities: Connect with fellow journalists, experts, and policymakers from across South and Southeast Asia to exchange insights, build professional networks, and encourage regional collaboration on pollution-related health challenges.
• By the end of the workshop, participants will join a Community of Practice, enabling them to:
  • Share articles, resources, and best practices related to reporting on air and plastic pollution and their health impacts’
  • Offer and receive peer support and guidance on challenges in covering pollution-related health stories.
  • Stay informed on the latest developments, research, and trends in pollution and health journalism across the region.
• Selected participants will receive funding to cover:
  • Flights and travel costs.

Program Specifications

• Over the course of two dynamic days, this workshop will empower media professionals with the skills, insights, and cross-disciplinary understanding necessary to report thoughtfully and effectively on the intricate links between air and plastic pollution and their effects on both human and planetary health.
• Through engaging activities, expert-led dialogues, and a practical simulation, participants will:
  • Develop a solid grasp of how air and plastic pollution intersect with public health and environmental sustainability, empowering media professionals to communicate these urgent issues with clarity, depth, and relevance.
  • Strengthen the capacity to produce compelling, solutions-oriented journalism that translates the complex health risks and environmental consequences of pollution into accessible, accurate, and audience-resonant narratives.
  • Enhance ethical reporting practices by fostering interdisciplinary collaboration, addressing pollution-related health inequalities, and navigating sensitive topics with responsibility and integrity.
  • Build confidence in engaging with diverse stakeholders—including scientists, policymakers, and affected communities—to drive informed public discourse and inspire meaningful, action-oriented journalism.

Eligibility Criteria

• Open to journalists from South and Southeast Asia, with priority given to applicants from the ten ASEAN Member States.
• Applicants should demonstrate a strong interest in environmental or health journalism.

For more information, visit Sunway Centre for Planetary Health.