AIBD together with the National Broadcasting Services of Thailand (NBT) oganised an in-country workshop on Creating Awareness on Green Living from 29 April to 02 May 2013 to train producers to deliver more quality content programming to create awareness on environmental degradation and the impact of climate change to communities through family-oriented programmes.

AIBD together with the National Broadcasting Services of Thailand (NBT) oganised an in-country workshop on Creating Awareness on Green Living from 29 April to 02 May 2013 to train producers to deliver more quality content programming to create awareness on environmental degradation and the impact of climate change to communities through family-oriented programmes.

Twenty one participants who were reporters, producers, camerapersons, editors and presenters from NBT’s regional stations in various provinces in Thailand and from the Royal Thai Army Television & Radio Channel 5 and Thai Public Broadcasting Services attended the workshop.

The four-day workshop was designed for mid-career professionals, and focused on enhancing awareness on environmental issues as well as sharpening their story-telling skills on such topics that are of public interest and the concept of green living. The content included a mix of presentations, discussions, interactive learning, screening of videos on good practices and a field activity.

The sessions focussed on environmental challenges faced by Asian countries, the role of broadcast media in communicating for green living, telling stories to save the planet in engaging audiences in non-technical ways, connecting the global with local green cities. Also, how to cover many-faceted, complex issues on climate change, recognising that more than half of humanity lives in urban areas the need to make the cities more habitable and how green living can help reduce carbon emissions and help mitigate climate impacts in the future.

The practical work was collectively devoted to a field activity. The participants were encouraged to conceptualize positive stories wherever possible, telling viewers what they can do in everyday lives to make their lives greener and healthier. They identified local topics and issues related to green living, planned how to video record and edit a three minute short story. 

The workshop was conducted by Mr Nalaka Gunawardene, CEO of TVE Asia-Pacific in Sri Lanka. He is an experienced writer for science programmes, producing programmes for television on science, technology, environment, public health, agriculture and ICT related topics and issues. He was supported by two senior local resource persons from NBT. They were Ms Sumonpan Kosonsiriset, Director – Program Production Division, and Mr Surasak Hunsachaleekon, Senior Program Officer from National Broadcasting Services of Thailand.