The
International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) and its African group, the
Federation of African Journalists (FAJ) today joined the International Trade
Union Confederation (ITUC) to demand recognition of workers' rights at the
United Nations Climate Change Summit 2011, COP 17 / CMP 7 which is taking place
in Durban, South Africa.
"We
welcome the participation of African journalists' leaders in this important
debate on shaping the future of our lives and livelihoods," said Beth Costa,
IFJ General Secretary. "Climate change has far reaching implications for
workers' rights, including journalists'. It is entirely appropriate that our
African members join forces with the ITUC to make the strongest case for
workers."
The
IFJ African group, the Federation of African Journalists (FAJ), backed the ITUC
which today denounced the decision of the UN Framework Convention on Climate
Change (UNFCCC) to hold the 2012 UN Climate change Talks in Qatar. In a
statement, the ITUC said that the announcement "sent waves of concern through
labour unions around the world as Qatar has been a permanent barrier in climate
negotiations."
"We
shall oppose any attempts to shut out the voice of workers, including
journalists, in these discussions and Qatar has a poor record on workers'
rights," said Omar Faruk Osman, FAJ President who is leading the IFJ and FAJ
delegation to the Summit in Durban.
The
FAJ also says African journalists have a crucial role to provide accessible
information to peoples on the continent about climate change talks and urged
the UNFCCC to facilitate their work in this regard.
"Climate
change is of paramount importance to peoples in Africa but there is an alarming
failure to communicate and lack of advocacy which impact on the public
awareness of the subject," added Osman. "African journalists have a pivotal
role in informing the public on climate change and holding governments to
account over their environmental policies."
The
FAJ in cooperation with Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung (FES) will hold in Durban a
major conference of journalists' unions leaders under the theme of "African
Journalists & their Role in Tackling the Perils of Climate Change" during
the Summit.
For more
information contact the IFJ/FAJ at +27 786 971 738
The IFJ represents over 600,000 journalists in 131
countries worldwide
The FAJ represents over 50,000 journalists in 40
countries in Africa
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- African Journalists' Leaders Back Global Unions' Stand over Workers' Rights at UN Climate Change Summit