Abidjan: Science journalists brainstorming to tackle global health, environmental challenges.

The conference, which began June 9, will run till Saturday June14. It is under the banner of the second edition of the world conference of Francophone Scientific Journalist, known by its French abbreviation, CMJSF. 

The conference, holding under the theme “One Health”, officials say, aims to foster cross-sector collaboration in tackling emerging health threats that span human, animal, and environmental domains.

The event is jointly organised by Médias pour la Science et le Développement, MSD, and the Réseau des Journalistes Scientifiques d’Afrique Francophone, RJSAF, with the support of several global science journalism organisations.

According to officials, the weeklong international gathering will explore the interconnectedness of human, animal, and environmental health through plenary sessions, expert panels, practical training workshops, and field visits. 

Today’s official opening ceremony will be marked by keynote addresses from RJSAF President, Kossi Balao, Swiss Ambassador to Cote d’Ivoire, H.E Dominique Favre, and top Ivorian officials. 

The day will continue with a pivotal roundtable asking: “Journalists and researchers are we ready for One Health?” featuring experts from Côte d’Ivoire’s Institute Pasteur, public health institutions, and international media.

A standout session will examine how coexisting with biodiversity can help prevent zoonotic spillovers, diseases transmitted from animals to humans, a growing concern in the wake of global pandemics. This session will feature voices from Africa One, IRD France, and leading Ivorian medical schools.

As per the MSD President, Idris Mamodou, the event also places strong emphasis on journalist training. Hands-on workshops will equip participants with skills in podcasting, data visualisation, scientific fact-checking, social media storytelling, and pitching health/environment stories.

“Among these is a unique session titled ‘How to pitch health and environment stories’, offering journalists the tools to turn complex scientific data into compelling media content,” the official remarked. 

The official noted that CMJSF 2025 seeks to go beyond mere conversation, aiming instead to build a network of capable science communicators who can demystify complex research and ensure that scientific information serves development across Francophone Africa and beyond.

Organisers insist that the conference is a rallying point to strengthen the media's role in addressing the intersection of global health, climate change, and scientific literacy, one story at a time.

This article was first published in The Guardian Post Edition No:3468 of Monday June 09, 2025