London — Journalists from around the world are invited to participate in an environmental seminar in Sweden under the sponsorship of the Swedish International Development Co-operation Agency (SIDA).

The Institute of Further Education of Journalists (FOJO) in Sweden is inviting journalists to apply for its International Environmental Journalism Seminar taking place 2-20 September 2002 in Kalmar. The closing date for applications is 5 April 2002. The Swedish Government, through SIDA, will cover the entire cost of the course fee and international travel.

Environmental journalists from the following Commonwealth countries are eligible to apply: Bangladesh, Botswana, The Gambia, Ghana, India, Jamaica, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Sri Lanka and Zambia. Other countries also invited include Albania, Angola, Brazil, Burkina Faso, Cambodia, China, Colombia, Costa Rica, Egypt, Guatemala, Guinea-Bissau, Honduras, Indonesia, Lebanon, Nicaragua, Peru, Senegal and Vietnam.

"The objective of the FOJO seminar is to enhance media coverage of environmental issues in developing countries," said Christina Winsö, an official of the institute. "It will focus on news evaluation, investigative reporting and ethical considerations in environmental journalism, environmental problem areas in a North/South-perspective, the role and responsibilities of environmental NGOs, and local, regional and global perspectives on environmental issues."

The programme aims at promoting an exchange of experiences and contacts between environmental journalists from different parts of the world, and strengthening the position of the free press, radio and television.

FOJO was established in 1972 and is Sweden's only in-service training centre for professional journalists. Every year FOJO offers training opportunities in Sweden and abroad for some 800 international journalists.

Further information available from Christina Winsö at e-mail: christina.winso@hik.se or the web site: www.fo.hik.se.