Sustainable Development & Environment

The 9th ASEF Journalists' Colloquium will focus on the issue of energy, green economy and sustainable development in the context of poverty reduction.  

Green economy was heralded as the way forward during the recently concluded Rio+20 Conference in Brazil. However, perspectives between Asia and Europe on this concept, which lacks a global agreed definition, continue to diverge.

The 9th ASEF Journalists' Colloquium will gather some 25 junior to mid-level journalists from prominent media outlets within the ASEM countries. The programme aims at knowledge-building and an exchange of perspective among junior to mid-level journalists on energy and environment on this issue that affects each region differently.  The Colloquium will explore the role of the media in promoting an informed debate on environmental issues, as well as producing recommendations on improved reporting on these issues.

Experts from each region will be invited to present on the following issues:

1. The Future of Energy Post-Fukushima and Rio+20
2. Green Economy: Towards Sustainable Development or New Protectionism?

An expert presentation will examine the role and responsibilities of the media in the globalized green economy debate, followed by a discussion and Q&A.  A study visit to relevant places in India is planned for the Colloquium participants to gain further knowledge on India's energy industries and green economy efforts.

The Colloquium will be held in conjunction with the 11th ASEM Foreign Ministers' Meeting to be held in New Delhi from 14-15 November 2013.