Fourteen Filipino journalists trained in the "One Health" approach

From September 10 to 13, CFI had the opportunity to train 14 Filipino journalists as part of the Media for One Health project . This initiative focuses on the "One Health" scientific approach, which highlights the interconnectedness of human health, animal health, and the environment. It aims to address critical issues such as emerging diseases, antibiotic resistance, the impact of pesticides, and the dangers of deforestation.

The Philippines faces significant challenges related to these topics, exacerbated by the diversity of its landscapes. However, these issues remain poorly understood by both the public and the journalists trained by CFI, despite their expertise in health and environmental matters.

In collaboration with experts from CIRAD and media trainers from Media.Xchange, this training allowed journalists to delve into this approach and understand its significance in effectively tackling complex issues. The interactive nature of the sessions fostered valuable exchanges between media professionals and scientists.

External speakers, including representatives from the WHO, FAO, the PHILOHUN university network, and the University of the Philippines at Los Banos, shared their insights and experiences regarding the "One Health" approach. The aim was to provide journalists with a comprehensive understanding of how this approach is being implemented in the Philippines by government authorities, NGOs, and research centres, to support studies, develop public policies, and initiate prevention and awareness campaigns. 
On that sense, the training directly benefited from Dr Noel Miranda’s inputs all along the four days, as an advisor for Global Health Security and a One Health advisor for the Global Health Technical Assistance and Mission Support (GH-TAMS) program, funded by USAID.

Special emphasis was placed on how journalists can make these critical issues more accessible to the public. This effort will continue with upcoming training sessions focused on interview techniques and mobile journalism, scheduled for fall 2024. These sessions aim to equip journalists with the skills to transform complex scientific information into engaging and understandable content for a wider audience.

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