[Colombo, Sri Lanka] – March 21, 2014 – Climate Action Network South Asia (CANSA) in collaboration with the Sri Lanka Press Institute conducted the second Workshop on Climate Change and Development Journalism for local journalists yesterday, Thursday March 20, 2014 at the Sri Lanka Press Institute (SLPI), Colombo 05. The Workshop focused on the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), science and climate change as well as communicating climate change to the masses.

The speakers for the event included Munasinghe Institute for Development senior climate researcher Priyangi Jayasinghe and CANSA Outreach and Advocacy Co-ordinator and Southern Voices Programme Regional Facilitator for Asia, Vositha Wijeynayake

Speaking on climate change impact from both global (IPCC) and Sri Lankan perspectives; various adaptation and mitigation measures and the importance of sustainable development in the wake of climate change was Priyangi Jayasinghe.

“It is important that as scientists, journalists and climate change activists that we look for solutions in an integrated fashion. It is important to transform governance systems, entrust responsibility in civil society and the private sector as well as communicate climate change,” said Jayasinghe.

“Information is not synonymous with communication. It is what we do with the information and translate it to something bigger by creating dialogue is how communication becomes important,” said Wijeynayake when she took over the session in communicating climate change to audiences.

The Sri Lanka Press Institute (SLPI) has established itself as the leading media development institute in Sri Lanka. The Institute offers systematic training for journalists, promotes self-regulation in the print media and advocates for a free and responsible media in Sri Lanka.

CANSA is a coalition of 112 civil society organisations from seven countries of South Asia, demanding that all countries ratify the second commitment period of Kyoto protocol by 2015. CANSA is on a vision to strive actively towards the protection of the global climate in a manner that promotes equity and social justice between peoples, sustainable development of all communities, and protection of the global environment.

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For further information contact Vositha Wijenayake on vositha@cansouthasia.net