Overview

The ASEF Workshop for Journalists is a training-oriented programme bringing together experienced journalists from Asia and Europe. It is designed for media professionals who wish to deepen their knowledge of a specific topic and strengthen their ability to report on complex and emerging issues.

The workshop provides participants with access to subject-matter experts, practitioners and fellow journalists from across Asia and Europe. Through expert-led sessions, practical discussions and peer exchange, participants develop a deeper understanding of the selected topic, explore different regional perspectives and consider how the knowledge gained can be applied to their reporting.

The programme also encourages collaborative reporting among participating journalists. Participants are expected to exchange ideas, identify common areas of interest and explore opportunities to develop cross-border stories or joint reporting projects after the workshop. In this way, the programme supports not only individual professional development but also stronger connections and cooperation among journalists from Asia and Europe.

The ASEF Workshop for Journalists was initiated in 2025 with the first topic “Challenges of Dealing with Plastic Waste”. The workshop was developed in the context of negotiations towards a legally binding international treaty to end plastic pollution, following the resolution endorsed by UN Member States at the UN Environment Assembly in March 2022. It also recognised the different approaches adopted across Asia and Europe, with some countries supporting restrictions or bans on plastics, while others place greater emphasis on responsible use and waste management. By bringing together journalists from both regions, the workshop aimed to deepen cross-continental understanding of these different perspectives and support more informed reporting on the treaty, its negotiations and its implications for the public.

Through this programme, ASEF contributes to strengthening informed, responsible and cross-border journalism on issues of shared interest to Asia and Europe. It also supports greater public understanding of regional and global challenges by helping journalists produce reporting that is well-informed, relevant and grounded in diverse perspectives.

Previous projects:

ASEF Workshop for Journalists on “Challenges of Dealing with Plastic Waste” | Singapore, 19-22 May 2025