A major new initiative was announced today for engaging the Asian media professionals to cover the region’s quest for cleaner air.

Two dozen journalists from across developing Asia will be granted media scholarships to attend Better Air Quality 2006 (BAQ 2006) to be held in Yogyakarta, Indonesia, from 13 to 15 December 2006.

They will also benefit from skills training on clean air issues on 11 to 12 December 2006 at the same city.

BAQ 2006 will be the year’s largest regional gathering of industry, research, government and civil society representatives committed to cleaner air in the world’s largest region, the Asia Pacific.

The media scholarship programme is a joint effort by the Clean Air Initiative for Asian Cities (CAI-Asia) and TVE Asia Pacific (TVEAP) –  two regional organisations committed to promoting better media coverage of clean air issues.

“BAQ 2006 is a great opportunity for the national, regional and global media to understand important air pollution issues experienced by Asian cities and meet the people from each country who are the sources of information on these issues,” said Cornie Huizenga, Head of Secretariat of CAI-Asia.

“Polluted air has been a concern of the Asian media for years,” says Nalaka Gunawardene, Director and Chief Executive Officer of TVE Asia Pacific. “But some efforts for cleaning up the air seem to be happening below the media’s radar. We hope our scholarship winners will highlight these and also focus on remaining challenges.”

CAI-Asia and TVEAP will select up to 25 journalists from developing Asia (see box for list of eligible countries) on an open, competitive basis. These journalists are to be drawn from print, broadcast and online media. As part of the scholarship, each journalist is expected to produce at least three (3) items (newspaper articles, radio/TV items, or online articles) using information and material gathered during BAQ 2006.

Spending a working week in Yogyakarta, they will first attend a 2-day training workshop (December 11 – 12) on ‘Covering Asia’s quest for Cleaner Air: Where are the stories?’ that will be organized by TVE Asia Pacific. This will involve a mix of presentations by air quality experts and media specialists, discussion sessions, and viewing ‘best practice’ media products from around the world.  

Journalists will then be able to attend BAQ 2006 events of their choice during December 13 - 15, conducting their own investigations and interviews. The media specialists will remain available for on-site advice and support. Television journalists will be provided the free, shared services of a professional camera crew and basic non-linear editing facilities.

CAI-Asia and TVEAP expect that these inputs will result in a higher level of coverage – both in terms of quantity and quality – on clean air related issues and concerns that will be highlighted at BAQ 2006.

Applications will be accepted from mid-career journalists until 16 October 2006, and selections are to be announced by mid November 2006. For eligibility and selection criteria, as well as application form and other requirements, visit: www.tveap.org/baq2006

The Clean Air Initiative for Asian Cities (CAI-Asia) is a multi-stakeholder network of institutions and individuals committed to improving air quality management (AQM) in Asia. It was launched in February 2001 to address the growing problem of air pollution that threatens public health, productivity, and overall quality of life in the region. The Asian Development Bank (ADB) is a founding member of the initiative and, along with the World Bank, jointly hosts the CAI-Asia Secretariat. Its mission is to promote and demonstrate innovative ways to improve the air quality of Asian cities by sharing experiences and building partnerships.

TVE Asia Pacific is a regional not-for-profit organisation that uses television, video and Internet to raise awareness on sustainable development and social justice issues. Established in 1996, and governed by an international Board of Directors, TVEAP operates as an editorially independent, journalistic organisation. Working with experts and media professionals from across the region, TVEAP: produces and distributes TV programmes; trains TV professionals; consults on communications strategies; and networks with governments, civil society and educational institutions.

Contact for further information:
Glynda Bathan, Clean Air Initiative for Asian Cities Secretariat
Phone: + 63 2 632 5151
Fax: + 63 2 636 2381
Email: .

Nalaka Gunawardene, TVE Asia Pacific
Phone: + 94 11 4412 195
Fax: + 94 11 4403 443
Email: .

Click here for full announcement and application form.