With a notepad in one hand, a pen in the other and a camera thrown over the shoulder, 18 youths aged between 14 and 20 recently set off on a mission to observe new lands, investigate and analyse controversial environmental issues, as well as explore the depths of their passion for journalism.
The participants included Joslyn Falzon from Malta and four other participants from Cyprus, Latvia and Belgium, who were chosen to join a team of 12 Portuguese Young Reporters for the Environment. The participants were selected on the basis of their grasp of English, as well as their personal reasons for wanting to take part as expressed in their letter of application.
The week-long event, entitled Missão JRA Alentejo 2014, was organised by Young Reporters for the Environment (YRE), an Foundation for Environmental Education programme designed for youths with the aim of promoting sustainable development through environmental education and encouraging responsible citizenship using artistic forms of expression such as photography, videography and article-writing. In Malta, this programme is run by Nature Trust Malta, and involves secondary and post-secondary Church, State and independent schools.
The first two days were dedicated to the reception of the young volunteers from different countries and the departure to Alentejo, in a south-central area of the country. The group was greeted at Herdade de Coitadinha, a 1,000-hectares site inside a Natura 2000 reserve acquired to promote rural development through the practical demonstration of agricultural, touristic and environmental conservation. The mission focused on destinations and environmental issues in Alentejo and particularly in the municipality of Barrancos – a village on the border with Spain which has proven to offer an essential contribution to the cultural, historical and economic richness of the country.
The daily schedule consisted of a trip to one or several pre-determined destinations, a presentation by a person in a key position – such as the mayor of Barrancos or an engineer from the Alqueva Development and Infrastructure Company – followed by an interview session with the Young Reporters.
Journalism combines all forms of sciences and art into one powerful tool, which like a brush, if handled well, can paint a picture that can revolutionise the entire world in just a day
Despite the long exhausting hours of travelling, strenuous amount of work and constantly having to adapt to the dynamic situations, the busy schedule enabled participants to learn more about Portuguese traditions and culture. The youths observed locals in different environments, witnessed the biological diversity of the habitats visited and delighted at the contrast between the dazzling structures of various heights and widths and the almost tranquilising shades of green.
Raquel Rocha, a young Portuguese participant aspiring to be an animal biologist and hoping to cooperate with National Geographic in future, said she “saw this mission as a great opportunity to learn a lot and discover more about the environment beyond my country”.
To the question whether they had learned or gained anything from the experience and how applicable the knowledge would be for their future careers, and to their life in general, all the participants unanimously agreed that it had taught them immensely beneficial skills and values they would cherish dearly and work hard to continue improving.
I personally found the experience very precious. I met brilliant people with generous personalities and a wide range of capabilities. While I found our differences fascinating, I was also very pleasantly surprised to see that despite the cultural differences and big geographical distances between us, we actually share many similar aspirations.
The mission taught me to be patient and understanding and proved to me that hard work, although undoubtedly debilitating at times, is very rewarding.
While I had the opportunity to do some work individually, I am also very thankful for the chance to advance my capability to perform as a member of a group and enhance my understanding of the craft of journalism – a craft that combines all forms of sciences and art into one powerful tool, which like a brush, if handled well, can paint a picture that can revolutionise the entire world in just a day.
www.jra.abae.pt/portal/actividades-jra/missao-jra-parque-de-natureza-de-noudar-2014/reportagens-missaonoudar