Media Environmental Summit
Added to website: 31 March 2005
Borneo November 30th - December 2nd 2005
Organised by ‘News World Nature’, this international event - with the media at its core - will provide a platform for debate and the examination of how communications can best be used to disseminate today’s most pressing environmental issues to the widest possible audience. By bringing together key players from across the globe we hope to inspire, educate and provoke thought and positive action essential to a much better understanding of the growing threats to our environment.
1.0 AIMS AND OBJECTIVES OF BORNEO MEDIA ENVIRONMENT SUMMIT
The Media Environment Summit aims to bring together media professionals, government leaders, media academics and environmental organisations from around the world, to debate the way in which environmental issues are reported. We will explore the ways in which the media can most effectively bring environmental issues in to the public domain. By providing a platform for dialogue and discussion we hope to overcome misunderstandings and confrontation in a constructive forum and establish positive outcomes.
The event will:
1) Provide a network for environmentalists and media practitioners
2) Raise media awareness of complex environmental issues
3) Encourage and support environmental reporting and broadcasting
While debating Global environmental issues, the Summit will have a particular focus on Asia and Asian broadcasting.
2.0 INTRODUCTION TO NEWS WORLD
News World Asia, which grew out of News World International, is a major media event company, which exists to provide a forum for dialogue and to promote understanding across all parts of the media and all parts if the globe. We are committed to reporting which reflects reality and diversity and which recognises responsibility. Our mission is to build bridges, foster dialogue and address key global issues and dilemmas as they arise.
With extensive experience in event organisation, our events have attracted more than 500 delegates, representing more than 70 broadcasting and media organisations from more than 50 countries.
Our most recent Asia Media Summit, held in Kuala Lumpur earlier this year in conjunction with ISIS (Institute of Strategic and International Studies), enjoyed support from major broadcasting and media organisations such as, CNN, BBC, Reuters, APTN, The Star Media Group, New Straits Times and CCTV and gained sponsorship from major companies such as Petronas and Malaysian Airlines.
We attract speakers from top broadcasting organisations and academic institutions and, at the last Asia Media Summit, were especially privileged to have the opening speech from Dato’ Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, Prime Minister of Malaysia.
3.0 LOCATION
Borneo, the world’s third largest island, is home to an incredible diversity of flora and fauna. Thick rainforest, supporting numerous exotic plants and animals, including the charismatic Orangutan, still covers much of this magnificent island.
Kuching, the Capital of Sarawak, in Malaysian Borneo has been identified as the ideal location for the event. Within easy reach of astonishingly rich wildlife, rainforests, mountains, rivers and tribal cultures, Kuching is a natural choice. We plan to allow time in the schedule to give delegates the opportunity to explore this unique environment in a wide choice of organised field trips.
Facing major environmental concerns and dilemmas of its own, adds further to Sarawak’s suitability for this event. It is hoped that this event will help promote Sarawak as a centre of eco-excellence.
Kuching is also growing as a key convention and conference destination with affordable prices and excellent facilities. We are committed to hosting an event, which does not exclude on the basis of budget and so propose three different accommodation packages to cater for different budgets. The Crowne Plaza Hotel will be our official event venue with back up from the Holiday Inn immediately across the road .There are also other smaller hotels available in the immediate vicinity that offer budget accommodation.
4.0 EVENT SCHEDULE
The week-long series of events will begin on a Monday with of two days of community outreach projects, seminars and workshops, followed by the three day conference and a series of screenings of the world’s best award winning wildlife documentaries. Two days will be set aside for optional local activities in Sarawak at the end of the conference itself, which we will be organising.
Major broadcasting organisations have already expressed an interest in providing workshops and training sessions for local media and educational programs for schools and colleges and the University. We aim to be completely inclusive and actively encourage participation and involvement from the local community.
The actual three-day conference will cover a range of global environmental issues and how the media approaches such issues, with a particular focus on Asia. We will have four main sessions per day each with an internationally recognised keynote speaker.
The final agenda will be drawn up in consultation with an expert program advisory board.
Each conference day will end with local cultural performances and a hosted dinner.
5.0 PARTNERS AND SUPPORTERS
We plan to partner with a number of organisations, locally, regionally and globally to bring together people from all over the world and provide a truly global perspective. We have the blessings of the Sarawak Minister of Tourism and the Vice Chancellor of Sarawak University.
We already have the support of:
ABU (The Asia-Pacific Broadcasting Union) - A non-government professional association of over 100 broadcasting organisations which exists to facilitate the development of broadcasting in the Asia-Pacific region and to co-ordinate activities among its members.
AMIC (Asian Media Information and Communication Centre) - An organisation which spearheads the development of media and communication expertise in the Asia-Pacific as a way of fostering socio-economic progress in the region.
UNDP (United Nations Development Program) - A United Nations’ Agency, bringing together governments, civil society, multinational corporations and multilateral organisations to focus on the growing agenda of development issues and look for innovative ways to address them.
Wildscreen - An international organisation based in the UK which hosts the world’s largest and most prestigious international wildlife film festival, committed to using the power of wildlife images to increase awareness about the threats facing the natural world and the urgent need to conserve it.
Conservation International
6.0 SPONSORS
The Summit offers sponsors significant opportunities for promotion and publicity, bringing a global media focus in a key and growing genre to Asia. We are keen to encourage local, regional and international companies to develop their corporate social responsibility initiatives through their involvement in this event.
(Please see Sponsorship Document)
7.0 CONTACT:
Alexander Thomson
Managing Director
News World
alexanderthomson@newsworldnature.com
+44 (0)7711 565 470
Bess
Executive Assistant
News World
bessmanley@newsworldnature.com
+44 (0) 20 8458 0538
Website: www.newsworldnature.com
