Mekong: Sustainable News

Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos and Myanmar are all predominantly rural countries; indeed, in the last three, more people work in the agricultural sector than any other. These four countries are among those that are most affected by climate change, especially in rural areas. They also have to cope with major challenges in terms of air and water pollution, food safety and new pandemics.

Faced with these threats, the work carried out by journalists is absolutely critical, as it makes it possible to raise people's awareness and inform them about the issues linked to sustainable development, so that they will be inspired to play their part in making the environmental changes needed in their respective countries.

Launched in 2019, the Mekong: Sustainable News project is helping to improve how scientific news topics are being processed in the Mekong region, especially by digital media organisations. It is encouraging journalists to cover environmental subjects in a positive and humane way, by highlighting tangible solutions. Journalists have to act as intermediaries between the scientific community and the general public, so that people can be informed about the most relevant points concerning the key challenges ahead.

The project is specifically financed by the Solidarity Fund for Innovative Projects, Civil Societies, French-Speaking Countries and Human Development, which is run by the French Ministry of Europe and Foreign Affairs.