Over the next eight months, the Cari-Bois Environmental News Network will work closely with ten secondary schools across Trinidad and Tobago to empower a total of 20 students with journalism skills and climate knowledge.
With funding support from the Scotiabank Foundation, the project aims to challenge each student to write and publish three climate stories to raise awareness about the effect of the climate crisis on their communities and beyond.
The project’s stories are set to be published under a special social media campaign titled the “Green Gazette” that will be shared across the social media platforms of Cari-Bois and The Cropper Foundation.
General manager of the Scotiabank Foundation, Cindy Mohammed, said supporting the project continues the Foundation’s mission to connect young people with opportunities that help them reach their full potential
She added, “Not only is the project helping to create awareness of career options and educational opportunities in the fields of journalism and environmental sciences for our young people, but it is also encouraging them to build skills and awareness to help fight climate change in their communities.
“When they learn about these topics, they will be empowered to take collaborative action, helping to ensure continuity for future generations.”
With a focus on developing and harnessing the storytelling skills of young people from rural communities, the project’s 20 participants were selected from the following schools; Blanchisseuse Secondary School, Brazil Secondary, Cedros Secondary, Coryal Secondary, Guayaguayare Secondary, Moruga Secondary, Mucurapo West Secondary, Roxborough Secondary, Speyside Secondary and Williamsville Secondary.
The project’s focused on schools in rural communities given the vulnerability of these communities to the effects of climate change.
The ten schools will be split into two cohorts of five schools with students in the first cohort engaging in the project from September to December 2024 and students in the second cohort from January to April 2025.
Before writing their stories, students will participate in three online training sessions where they are expected to learn fundamental principles of journalism, an introduction to climate change and tips to hone their writing skills.
The lineup of presenters for these sessions includes;
- Dr. Lorraine Waldropt- Ferguson (UWI Lecturer, Communications Expert, Agricultural Extension Specialist)
- Ryan Bachoo (CNC3 Multimedia Journalist, Producer and Anchor)
- Kalain Hosein (Award-winning Climate Consultant for Guardian Media Limited and former CNC3 Weather Anchor
- Ryan Assiu (Director at Advisors Next Door and a former Climate Finance Lead at USAID)
- Reyad Mohammed (Chevening Scholar, Environmentalist and EMA Environmental Education Officer)
- Ardene Sirjoo (Communications Lead of The Cropper Foundation, Broadcaster, Producer and Communications Practitioner)
In addition to their online training sessions, participants will also be taken on field trips to two natural heritage sites in Trinidad to educate them about said site and efforts to promote sustainability in these areas.
The Scotiabank Foundation will host a special workshop on October 19 where participants will learn more about the importance of financial literacy and developing their emotional intelligence.
The Cropper Foundation’s CEO, Omar Mohammed, told Cari-Bois that The Cropper Foundation’s mandate has always been to shape all-rounded young leaders, and the programme provides participants with a variety of skills to become just that.
Mohammed added, “We are investing in the next generation of young leaders that understands the importance of climate justice and what it means for Small Island Developing States.
“The Cropper Foundation is committed to contributing to a sustainable Trinidad and Tobago and that means empowering all generations to get involved.”
This year’s project is a reimagined version of Cari-Bois’ 2023 I Want to Be an Environmental Reporter project which ran from August to October in 2023 and empowered eight young participants with journalism skills.
Participants in that pilot project were selected from Blanchisseuse, Moruga, Roxborough, and Williamsville, and also received a blend of virtual and in-person learning experiences introducing them to the fundamentals of journalism.
Cari-Bois Coordinator and Editor, Tyrell Gittens, said, “As a young professional, my personal and professional skills were shaped through my involvement in cocurricular activities, and I got my start in the media because of an internship.
“I truly believe in the power of creating opportunities for young people and providing them with a platform to explore their talents.
“I am very grateful for the support of the Scotiabank Foundation in sharing this vision with Cari-Bois and supporting our reimagined youth journalism project…I am excited to see the outcomes.”
The first cohort of this year’s project is expected to end with a closing ceremony in early December where participants will receive a certificate of participation and share their experiences.
