By Jena Lynde-Smith
Carleton Bachelor of Journalism student, Teaghan Haysom and graduate, Meral Jamal, are taking part in a new Nordic-Canadian fellowship in environmental journalism.
The Nordic-Canadian Fellowship in Environmental Journalism provides 16 emerging journalists with the opportunity to learn, travel and dive deep into some of the biggest threats facing the environment today. As part of Nordic Bridges, the fellowship includes mentorships with experienced journalists and bootcamps featuring keynote speakers from Canada and the Nordic Region. Haysom is a second year journalism and humanities student and Jamal graduated from the Bachelor of Journalism program in June. They both started the 18-month fellowship in July.
“I am so honoured and am learning so much,” said Jamal. “Over the past few months, I’ve got to learn more about reporting with Indigenous communities, personal branding, and the challenges and opportunities facing journalists today.”
As a Nordic-Bridges fellow, Jamal recently took part in a panel on communicating the climate crisis at the UN Climate Change Conference. She had the opportunity to speak with Jonathan Lynn, the head of communications at the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) and Ina Parvanova, the head of communications for the United Nations’ Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).
“There really is a lot I’m learning from this fellowship and I’m so grateful for that,” she said.
As part of the fellowship, the young journalists get to travel to one of the eight Nordic countries on a reporting trip. Haysom said this is something she is excited for.
“Not only is this project a collaboration between Canada and the Nordic Region, but the fellowship is also working to combine arts and culture with storytelling,” Haysom said. “I am excited to learn about new places, people and cultures and to learn more about integrating these diverse perspectives into my reporting.”
Both Haysom and Jamal said that opportunities for young journalists to learn about climate change are vital.
“We are at such a crucial point in the climate crisis and I believe in the potential and responsibility journalists have to create awareness and in turn, motivate change,” Haysom said. “I feel lucky to have this opportunity during the early stage of my education.”
Also involved in the project is journalism professor, Kanina Holmes, who is working with Nordic Bridges as a fellowship mentor.
Learn more about the Nordic-Canadian Fellowship in Environmental Journalism here.
Wednesday, November 10, 2021 in General, Journalism News
Share: Twitter, Facebook