Entries Open for Environmental Reporting Awards
Nairobi, 8 March 2016 - The 3rd edition of the African Climate Change and Environmental Reporting Awards (ACCER Awards) was officially launched today. The programme was founded in 2013 by and is run by the Pan African Climate Justice Alliance (PACJA). The ACCER competition aims to not only recognize and reward excellence in environmental journalism at all levels of society, but also encourage high quality and impactful reporting of environmental issues in Africa. The goal of ACCER is to raise the profile of climate change and sustainable development in Africa by recognizing the important role that media practitioners play in the environmental discourse.
Over a period of seven weeks, (8th March –26th April 2016), citizen and professional journalists and other media practitioners from across Africa can submit entries online which demonstrate how their work has practically enhanced access to environmental information, built Climate Change resilience or changed the way societies “do business.” Finalists will be announced at the sidelines of the United Nations Environmental Assembly in May, and be enrolled in an intensive training programme, the ACCER Awards Finalists Academy (TAAFA). Winners will be unveiled in June, at a gala event on the eve of the World Environment Day. The Awards welcomes journalistic entries in any medium, and will recognize excellence in the following categories:
- Environmental Journalist of the Year Award
- Emerging Young Journalist
- Photographer of the Year
- ACCER blogger
- Documentary of the Year
- Environmental Story of the Year
- Francophone Journalist of the Year
- Unique angle of the Year
The awards launch was attended by journalists and representatives from PACJA, UNEP, Embassy of Sweden and Care International. Speaking during the event, Mohamed Atani from UNEP Regional Office for Africa lauded PACJA on the initiative and reiterated on the crucial role that media plays in sensitization on environmental issues. He challenged and urged journalists to raise the bar in reporting on environmental stories within and beyond the continent, by highlighting on Africa’s challenges, opportunities and success stories.
“With the adoption of the Agenda 2030 and signing of the Paris Agreement, 2016 is a critical year for Africa. Media will play a crucial role in tracking and reporting on challenges, opportunities and success stories across the continent. We encourage all journalists in Africa to tell Africa’s story not just within the continent but beyond. The media plays a key role in bridging the gap between science and policy, and engaging key stakeholders in the implementation of the SDGs and Agenda 2063,” he said.
Applicants can submit their entries through the ACCER website at: http://www.accerawards.com/
