From 27 to 31 of May 2024, the third annual Western Balkans Circular Economy Week took place. This year’s theme, “Sustainable Bridges: Unite, Support, Recycle”, brought together experts, practitioners, and enthusiasts from across the region to collaboratively work on advancing the circular economy. The goal of this initiative was to promote best practices, share knowledge, and address the challenges and opportunities in establishing sustainable and circular economic models.
As a member of the LogEx community, CENER 21 also marked Circular Economy Week by organizing a workshop titled “Media Literacy on the Circular Economy: Reporting on the Circular Economy.”
Why Focus on Media Literacy?
The World Economic Forum’s 2024 list of most pressing global risks ranks misinformation and disinformation as the biggest short-term global risk. This includes a rise in misinformed and purposefully misleading information regarding environmental topics. Moreover, it is recognized that high-quality journalism can be a key method of combating climate misinformation and disinformation, but this requires a concerted effort to report accurately and thoughtfully on environmental topics.
As the concept of the circular economy gains popularity, it is especially important that journalists engage with these ideas and stories in responsible and impactful ways. News and journalistic media will be where citizens increasingly turn to discover, understand, and question circular economic topics as these ideas continue to grow. If media professionals remain uninformed on the circular economy, inaccurate or misinformed reporting could amplify misconceptions and confusion. However, equipped with the knowledge and skills needed, media professionals can play a key role in empowering citizen awareness and engagement in the circular economy.
The workshop brought together 18 participants, including a diverse group of journalists, students, and environmental advocacy experts. The day was thoughtfully organized into three engaging sessions, culminating in a hands-on exercise focused on applying the concepts discussed.
The opening session introduced participants to the circular economy. Detailed insights into the deficiencies of the current linear economic model were shared, alongside strategies to integrate circular practices across a product’s lifecycle. The session was enriched with successful real-world examples, demonstrating the tangible benefits of circular economy models for society and the environment.
Further exploration into the circular economy’s application within Bosnia and Herzegovina and the broader Western Balkans region followed. This discussion emphasized the crucial cooperation among governments, businesses, and NGOs to foster a sustainable circular economy. The dialogue was peppered with examples of how circular principles are being implemented in entrepreneurship, industry, and waste management locally.
The final session focused on the important role of media in shaping public perception of the circular economy. It underscored the need for responsible journalism that steers clear of sensationalism, aiming instead for balanced reporting. This session aimed to empower journalists to foster well-informed public discourse, thereby contributing to a responsible media landscape.
The workshop concluded with a practical exercise titled “Writing for Sustainability: Creating Stories on the Circular Economy”. Participants were tasked to write their own articles on topics related to the circular economy. This exercise not only allowed them to creatively express and practically apply their theoretical knowledge but also resulted in articles that are set to raise awareness and drive positive societal change. These contributions highlight the power of informed journalism in promoting sustainability initiatives.