9 Jan 2024 

During its 17th annual forum, ARIJ organized an intensive training workshop titled “Physical Safety First” for 18 journalists and editors from Palestine and Lebanon (56% females). The 9 hours workshop over three days aimed to enhance journalists’ safety and crisis management skills, particularly those working in high-risk environments, and empower them to cover climate justice issues effectively.

Led by Safety trainer and novelist Abdullah Maksour, the three-day training focused on equipping participants with essential skills to deal with emergencies, such as wars, arrests, confiscation of equipment, or targeting of offices. The program included practical exercises on risk assessment, developing comprehensive safety plans, and crisis management, using case studies, such as Gaza, to understand the complexities of working in hostile environments.

This workshop falls under the “SHARAKA for Inclusive Climate Action” project, which aims to promote climate justice by empowering civil society organizations and citizens in Jordan, Lebanon, Tunisia, and Palestine. The project also seeks to strengthen the capacities of independent civil society organizations, media professionals, and journalists working on climate issues. ARIJ is implementing the project in cooperation with Hivos, Internews, and the Arab Reform Initiative.

“Thank you very much, the workshop was very useful and fruitful. I wish it had been longer so I could benefit even more.” – Rand Abu Salehو, Female, Palestine.

“I thank ARIJ for the opportunity to get to know the esteemed trainer Abdullah and for this experience.” – Sama Asmar, Female, Palestine.

ARIJ has an open call to journalists from the four countries to pitch ideas on climate and their daily lives. Here is the pitching form.