Looking back: Introduction Meeting of the IJP German-Central Eastern European Programme 2023
by Miranda Bratkic, RTV Slovenija
The German-Central Eastern European Programme gives journalists from nine Central Eastern European countries the opportunity to spend two months working at a media outlet in another country and reporting about climate and energy issues. With this project the International Journalists Programmes (IJP) want to establish a unique and sustainable network of journalists who are “experts” in bilateral as well as climate and energy issues. On 5 October 2023, IJP hosted the Introduction Meeting of the IJP German-Central Eastern European Programme 2023 in Berlin.
“Inspiring” is the word that, in my opinion, best describes our meeting in Berlin at the beginning of October.
It all began with a lovely dinner and the opportunity to meet the participants of the programme for the first time. The highlights of the second day were twofold. Firstly, it involved gaining a better understanding of the work of fellow participants, their respective media outlets, and their home countries. We delved into the different perspectives they offered and the techniques they employ. Secondly, a very useful and efficient part of the programme was the speed dating session. The representatives from the attending EUKI projects Local Leaders for the Next Generation, SUNRISE – Prosumer Solar Energy, and Young Energy Europe 2.0 were true experts in their respective fields and were well-prepared to address all our questions. Furthermore, their projects and work broadened my knowledge and provided me with valuable ideas and contacts for my future work.
A particularly interesting aspect of the meeting was our encounter with Nora Zaremba from Tagesspiegel Background Klima and the Table.Media Team. This was especially eye-opening for me because I had not previously known deep journalism in practice. I was astonished to learn that there are media outlets dedicated to this form of journalism, and they are thriving.
In conclusion, I believe that the MOE program has given me the opportunity to step out of my everyday routine and has encouraged me to think outside the box in my work. Most importantly, I have had the privilege of meeting colleagues from other countries and exchange views and ideas for possible future collaboration.
Miranda Bratkic is fellow of the IJP German-Central Eastern European Programme 2023 and will start working at Clean Energy Wire in January 2024.