ISAR's environmental journalism program concluded with two workshops in Kazakhstan in early March 2006. OSI-Budapest and the Trust for Mutual Understanding supported this final stage of the project, which was focused on training Kazakh journalists on the techniques and skills for finding information and reporting on natural resources, revenues and environmental remediation. The workshops were held on March 3-5, 2006 in Atyrau (28 attendees) and on March 9-11, 2006 in Karaganda (24 attendees). In Atyrau the focus was on journalism of the oil and gas industry while in the Karaganda workshop participants focused on the mineral extractive industries.
The workshop schedule included:
- Day 1: Basic western journalism skills training in the context of Kazakhstan
- Day 2: Detailed exploration of the issues and techniques for journalism on the key natural resources, revenues and environmental impacts.
- Day 3: Continued exploration of natural resource issues with a key example interview with a representative from a local company involved in natural resource extraction.
Environmental Journalism Program Participant Interviewed by Public Radio in New York
Natalia Verzhbitskaya, a participant in ISAR's Environmental Journalism Exchange Program, was interviewed on WAMC Northeast Public Radio show "In Our Backyard." Hear her interview, along with the commentary by ISAR staffer, Olga Segars, by visiting the WAMC website (www.wamc.org/inourbackyard.html). Thanks to The Orion Society for hosting Natalia and Olga and for arranging the interview.
Journalists from Kazakhstan Address Colleagues in Washington More Information 
June 2005 Exchange Participants Chosen
More than 20 journalists, community leaders and environmental activists from Kazakhstan applied to participate in ISAR’s Environmental Journalism Program earlier this spring. An independent committee of experts met to review the applications and identify finalists for the program and selected five Kazkahstani journalists to participate in the exchange program. These five journalists will undergo a professional development program in Washington, Colorado and Massachusetts from May 29-June 15.
Yelena Aleshina is a deputy editor at “Region” magazine. She holds a degree in journalism from the Aktobe State University and a certificate of public relations from the Saint Petersburg State University. She is currently working on a piece about the development of natural recourses in the Caspian Sea and its impact on the environment.
Jamilya Kassenova is a correspondent for “Vecherniaya Gazeta” daily newspaper. She holds a degree in music from Karaganda Humanitarian College and a bachelor’s degree in interpretation from Kazakhstan's Financial Economics University. She has worked with EcoMuseum, a local non-profit organization, on projects related to river clean-up, has been involved in remediation projects on Bukpa River and has written articles about an environmental project, entitled “The Clean River Project.”
Vadim Shirokoborodov is a correspondent in Karaganda oblast for a national weekly newspaper “OKO”. He is a graduate of Kazakh National State University’s department of journalism and holds a Master’s degree in literary editing. Among other environmental issues, he has researched mercury pollution in Nura River.
Tatyana Ten is a graduate of Kazakh National State University and works as a correspondent for an independent national weekly newspaper “Caravan”. Her articles were recognized at the Central Asian festival in environmental journalism as best analytical investigative articles. She has worked closely with EcoMuseum on various environmental projects, including those on Nura River and Semipalatinsk region.
Natalia Verzhbitskaya is the head of “Vechernii Almaty” newsroom. She holds a degree in journalism from Kazakh National State University and a diploma in development journalism from Indian Institute of Mass Communication in Delhi. Currently, she is working on a piece about a UNDP program in Semipalatinsk, which addresses environmental issues in the region, as well as issues of poverty, disease control, and the development of small and medium-sized business and enterprise.
Background
Environmental journalism is an international media specialty designed to present the public with sound, accurate information that can involve citizens in the environmental decision-making process. Environmental journalists work to bridge the gap between individuals and policy-makers to ensure that the public interest is being served and function as watchdogs of industry and government for the purpose of protecting public health and safety.
For more information about this program, please contact Do Lee.
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