Cambodia : "Media for One Health" project launched in Phnom Penh
Related project
Media for One healthThe Media for One Health project, funded by the French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs and implemented by CFI, in collaboration with the French Agricultural Research Centre for International Development (CIRAD), was officially launched on 29 July, in Cambodia. Between now and June 2025, 14 journalists from Cambodia will be trained to produce content in line with the "One Health" approach.
Media for One Health: A project to get people to think differently about health
In Southeast Asia, human and animal densities are among the highest in the world. The pressure that societies exert on the environment (deforestation, urbanisation, transport), coupled with the consequences of global warming (droughts, typhoons, flooding), can have a major impact on health. This situation means that, rather than continuing to segregate environmental, veterinary and medical issues, we develop a more comprehensive vision of health that takes account of the interdependence between the environment, animal health and human health. This approach constitutes the "One Heath" concept.
However, this approach remains poorly understood by the populations and the media. The mission of the Media for One Health project is to strengthen media skills in Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam and the Philippines, by training around 50 journalists in total and supporting the production of One Health content.
The aim: "to involve all communities"
The project launch event, on 29 July, in Phnom Penh, was attended by 68 representatives of political bodies, media outlets, international organisations and civil society, as well as numerous scientists and the 14 Cambodian journalists selected to take part in this project, all gathered to take part in a One Health awareness day.
Fabrice Turri, the Media for One Health project’s regional coordinator, Dr. André Furco, the One Health approach technical expert and the sub-regional representative of Southeast Asia for the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH), Jacques Pellet, French Ambassador in Cambodia, and Neth Pheaktra, Minister of Information in Cambodia, delivered the opening speeches. They underscored the pivotal role of media professionals in raising public awareness and driving preventive measures against health crises.
According to André Furco, "involving the media, journalists and communities is a huge step forward as they play a crucial role, for instance in raising awareness of One Health issues or explaining the correct facts to all of us".
The second part of the event focused on the role of the media and public engagement in promoting the "One Health" approach. To this end, Catherine Harry, digital content creator and feminist blogger ("A Dose of Cath") and Socheat Chi, Country Director of Population Services International (PSI Cambodia) highlighted the power of social media and communication campaigns.
Through its training sessions, the Media for One Health project will enable journalists to acquire the skills they need to cover the issues associated with this concept in a comprehensive manner, thereby promoting an informed public discourse. The trainers will equip journalists with the skills necessary to cover "One Health" issues comprehensively, thereby fostering informed public discourse and paving the way for a healthier and more sustainable future.
National coordinator of the media for One Health project in Cambodia
