Zanzibar, Tanzania

Institute for Further Education of Journalists (Fojo) of Sweden, in cooperation with the Western Indian Ocean Marine Science Association (WIOMSA), is offering a training course for journalists from Kenya, Seychelles, and Tanzania focusing on coastal management in the region and its relation to the global environmental situation. The course is designed to provide some basic tools to cover environmental issues with special emphasis on the coastal and marine environment. It will include methods of reporting and planning, how to access and analyse scientific information, and how to make this information interesting to audiences. The course will include discussions about the impact of human activities, as well as opportunities and benefits provided by the coastal and marine environments.

The course will also provide an opportunity for participating journalists to talk to scientists and experts about the region's environmental and coastal challenges. According to the organisers, another objective of the course is to establish a network of scientists and journalists to facilitate future communication and interactions. Some field trips will be arranged to view some of issues presented and discussed during the course.

The course is organised into two segments. The first part will be held in Zanzibar from November 3 to 14 2008 and the second part from April 27 to May 1 2009. It is compulsory for selected participants to attend both courses. All participants will be assigned a story or investigative project during the first part for presentation during the follow-up course.

Journalists interested in participating should request an application form via e-mail from the contact below. Financial support in terms of return ticket and accommodation will be provided to the selected participants. Deadline for application is August 25 2008.