Above: Participants in the BFSD-sponsored environmental reporting workshop in Durban, South Africa, in September 2003.  The course was conducted by Colin McIntyre (third from left, back row) from the Reuters Foundation journalism training programme. The programme director, Jo Weir, is second from right at the back, standing next to Bellagio's 2002 Oxford Fellow Lyla Bavadam (far right, back row) from India. Bellagio's 2003 Fellow, Hilary Chiew from Malaysia, is in the front row, second from right.   
   

The Bellagio Forum joined Reuters Foundation and the World Conservation Union (IUCN) in sponsorship linked to the World Parks Congress in Durban, South Africa, from September 8-17. Twelve journalists - selected from India, Malaysia, Brazil, Dubai, Serbia, Croatia, Russia, Lebanon, Trinidad and Tobago, Uganda, Sierre Leone and Zambia - were flown into the event which is held every ten years to celebrate achievements in setting up protected areas around the globe and to extend conservation work.

The journalists took part in a special six day workshop to enhance their environmental reporting skills, drawing on the World Parks Congress to provide much of the course material. After working on training exercises, they were encouraged to join the discussions of the Congress and to send back reports to their news organisations. The group also went on field trips to take a first-hand look at practical applications of conservation principles. The trips included a visit to a cultural centre inside a nature reserve run entirely by the local Zulu community, showing how local communities can be directly involved in the operation of game parks and other protected areas.