Presentation by science writer Nalaka Gunawardene to a Media Workshop on Reporting on Chemical Safety issues, organised by Centre for Environmental Justice, Sri Lanka, in Colombo on 25 September 2012
Public Perceptions of Pesticides & How They Influence Policy - By Nalaka Gun...Nalaka Gunawardene
Public perceptions of pesticides & how they influence policy: Case of CKDu in Sri Lanka
Presentation by Nalaka Gunawardene
To International workshop on
"Pesticides and Global Health: Research, Collaboration, and Impact"
Department of Anthropology
University of Durham, UK
10-11 February 2015
Crying Wolf in the Global Village: Managing Disaster Early Warnings in the Ag...Nalaka Gunawardene
The challenge in disaster early warnings is to make the best possible decisions quickly using imperfect information. With lives and livelihoods at stake, there is much pressure to get it right. But one can’t be timely and perfectly accurate at the same time.
We have come a long way since the devastating Boxing Day tsunami of December 2004 caught Indian Ocean countries by surprise. Many of the over 230,000 people killed that day could have been saved by timely coastal evacuations.
The good news is that advances in science and communications technology, greater international cooperation, and revamped national systems have vastly improved tsunami early warnings during the past decade. However, some critical gaps and challenges remain.
The Indian Ocean Tsunami Warning and Mitigation System (IOTWS) was set up in 2005 under UNESCO’s Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission. Over USD 400 million has been invested in state of the art equipment for rapid detection and assessment. However, the system’s overall effectiveness is limited by poor local infrastructure and lack of preparedness. Some countries also lack efficient decision-making for issuing national level warnings based on regionally provided rapid assessments.
Warnings must reach communities at risk early enough for action. False warnings can cause major economic losses and reduce compliance with future evacuation orders. Only governments can balance these factors. It is important that there be clearer protocols within governments to consider the best available information and make the necessary decisions quickly.
Now, the proliferation of information and communication technologies (ICTs) is making this delicate balance even more difficult. To remain effective in the always-connected and chattering Global Village, disaster managers have to rethink their engagement strategies.
Controlled release of information is no longer an option for governments. In the age of 24/7 news channels and social media, many people will learn of breaking disasters independently of official sources. Some social media users will also express their views instantly – and not always accurately.
How can this multiplicity of information sources and peddlers be harnessed in the best public interest? What are the policy options for governments, and responsibilities for technical experts? How to nurture public trust, the ‘lubricant’ that helps move the wheels of law and order - as well as public safety - in the right direction?
Climate Communications: Go Beyond Fear, CO2 and COPs! by Nalaka GunawardeneNalaka Gunawardene
Presentation prepared on 19 October 2016 for a group of Asian journalists and other communicators at a workshop organized by Sri Lanka Youth Climate Action Network (SLYCAN). It was held at BMICH, Colombo’s leading conventions venue.
The workshop was part of a platform of events branded as Sri Lanka NEXT, which included the 5th Asia-Pacific Climate Change Adaptation Forum and several other expert consultations.
I hope you find this issue to be informative and helpful in your work. Please send me any information you’d like posted in upcoming issues.
The embedded links may not work in SlideShare, so please feel free to email me for a copy at DrChrisStout@gmail.com to be added to our email list.
You can join our Facebook Group and interact with over 1200 likeminded individuals at:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/CenterForGlobalInitiatives/
Any recommendations to improve this communique would be most appreciated!
And if you’d like to support the Center’s work with a tax deductible donation, that would be fantastic(!) and do a great deal: http://centerforglobalinitiatives.org/donateNow.cfm
Cheers, and thank you for your work,
Chris
Planning for an outbreak of health: Lessons from the pandemic for the health ...John Middleton
What does the experience of COVID-19 pandemic tell us about the state of the health of the public, and the public health system? A presentation for the webinar UAE University, College of Medicine and Life Science, Institute of Public health
The best job in the world: practising public health, past, present and future. John Middleton
Lecture for the International Masters course in public Health leadership. Lecture similar to previously delivered in Maastricht 2018, 2019, but with new extension on experiences of the pandemic 2020.
201211 middletonj maaastricht
CEO of Infinitum Humanitarian Systems Eric Rasmussen, MD, MDM, FACP helped the Medical Devices Group understand the depth of the challenges to global health.
You really have to watch his talk (some of the images will take your breath away) for the full impact of the presentation and please share it on social media and with your colleagues.
Visit http://medgroup.biz/future-global-health for the video recap and transcript and consider the 10x Medical Device Conference to meet speakers like Eric.
For 10x information, see http://medgroup.biz/About-10x
Public Perceptions of Pesticides & How They Influence Policy - By Nalaka Gun...Nalaka Gunawardene
Public perceptions of pesticides & how they influence policy: Case of CKDu in Sri Lanka
Presentation by Nalaka Gunawardene
To International workshop on
"Pesticides and Global Health: Research, Collaboration, and Impact"
Department of Anthropology
University of Durham, UK
10-11 February 2015
Crying Wolf in the Global Village: Managing Disaster Early Warnings in the Ag...Nalaka Gunawardene
The challenge in disaster early warnings is to make the best possible decisions quickly using imperfect information. With lives and livelihoods at stake, there is much pressure to get it right. But one can’t be timely and perfectly accurate at the same time.
We have come a long way since the devastating Boxing Day tsunami of December 2004 caught Indian Ocean countries by surprise. Many of the over 230,000 people killed that day could have been saved by timely coastal evacuations.
The good news is that advances in science and communications technology, greater international cooperation, and revamped national systems have vastly improved tsunami early warnings during the past decade. However, some critical gaps and challenges remain.
The Indian Ocean Tsunami Warning and Mitigation System (IOTWS) was set up in 2005 under UNESCO’s Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission. Over USD 400 million has been invested in state of the art equipment for rapid detection and assessment. However, the system’s overall effectiveness is limited by poor local infrastructure and lack of preparedness. Some countries also lack efficient decision-making for issuing national level warnings based on regionally provided rapid assessments.
Warnings must reach communities at risk early enough for action. False warnings can cause major economic losses and reduce compliance with future evacuation orders. Only governments can balance these factors. It is important that there be clearer protocols within governments to consider the best available information and make the necessary decisions quickly.
Now, the proliferation of information and communication technologies (ICTs) is making this delicate balance even more difficult. To remain effective in the always-connected and chattering Global Village, disaster managers have to rethink their engagement strategies.
Controlled release of information is no longer an option for governments. In the age of 24/7 news channels and social media, many people will learn of breaking disasters independently of official sources. Some social media users will also express their views instantly – and not always accurately.
How can this multiplicity of information sources and peddlers be harnessed in the best public interest? What are the policy options for governments, and responsibilities for technical experts? How to nurture public trust, the ‘lubricant’ that helps move the wheels of law and order - as well as public safety - in the right direction?
Climate Communications: Go Beyond Fear, CO2 and COPs! by Nalaka GunawardeneNalaka Gunawardene
Presentation prepared on 19 October 2016 for a group of Asian journalists and other communicators at a workshop organized by Sri Lanka Youth Climate Action Network (SLYCAN). It was held at BMICH, Colombo’s leading conventions venue.
The workshop was part of a platform of events branded as Sri Lanka NEXT, which included the 5th Asia-Pacific Climate Change Adaptation Forum and several other expert consultations.
I hope you find this issue to be informative and helpful in your work. Please send me any information you’d like posted in upcoming issues.
The embedded links may not work in SlideShare, so please feel free to email me for a copy at DrChrisStout@gmail.com to be added to our email list.
You can join our Facebook Group and interact with over 1200 likeminded individuals at:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/CenterForGlobalInitiatives/
Any recommendations to improve this communique would be most appreciated!
And if you’d like to support the Center’s work with a tax deductible donation, that would be fantastic(!) and do a great deal: http://centerforglobalinitiatives.org/donateNow.cfm
Cheers, and thank you for your work,
Chris
Planning for an outbreak of health: Lessons from the pandemic for the health ...John Middleton
What does the experience of COVID-19 pandemic tell us about the state of the health of the public, and the public health system? A presentation for the webinar UAE University, College of Medicine and Life Science, Institute of Public health
The best job in the world: practising public health, past, present and future. John Middleton
Lecture for the International Masters course in public Health leadership. Lecture similar to previously delivered in Maastricht 2018, 2019, but with new extension on experiences of the pandemic 2020.
201211 middletonj maaastricht
CEO of Infinitum Humanitarian Systems Eric Rasmussen, MD, MDM, FACP helped the Medical Devices Group understand the depth of the challenges to global health.
You really have to watch his talk (some of the images will take your breath away) for the full impact of the presentation and please share it on social media and with your colleagues.
Visit http://medgroup.biz/future-global-health for the video recap and transcript and consider the 10x Medical Device Conference to meet speakers like Eric.
For 10x information, see http://medgroup.biz/About-10x
Visual Design, Propaganda, and Consumer CultureKaren Parker
Discussing the use of visual design in advertising as a means of promoting a consumer culture; looking to Edward Bernays development of psychological advertising techniques
Native American Essay Topics to Choose from. Native American Essay. Fantastic Native American Essay Questions ~ Thatsnotus. Native American Narrative Writing Prompt | Narrative writing prompts .... Native American essay.
Contaminated without Consent - Resources for Healthy Children www.scribd.com/doc/254613619 - For more information, Please see Organic Edible Schoolyards & Gardening with Children www.scribd.com/doc/254613963 - Gardening with Volcanic Rock Dust www.scribd.com/doc/254613846 - Double Food Production from your School Garden with Organic Tech www.scribd.com/doc/254613765 - Free School Gardening Art Posters www.scribd.com/doc/254613694 - Increase Food Production with Companion Planting in your School Garden www.scribd.com/doc/254609890 - Healthy Foods Dramatically Improves Student Academic Success www.scribd.com/doc/254613619 - City Chickens for your Organic School Garden www.scribd.com/doc/254613553 - Huerto Ecológico, Tecnologías Sostenibles, Agricultura Organica www.scribd.com/doc/254613494 - Simple Square Foot Gardening for Schools - Teacher Guide www.scribd.com/doc/254613410 - Free Organic Gardening Publications www.scribd.com/doc/254609890 ~
Possible Harmful Chemicals in Personal Care Products v2zq
Possible Harmful Chemicals in Personal Care Products - Resources for Healthy Children www.scribd.com/doc/254613619 - For more information, Please see Organic Edible Schoolyards & Gardening with Children www.scribd.com/doc/254613963 - Gardening with Volcanic Rock Dust www.scribd.com/doc/254613846 - Double Food Production from your School Garden with Organic Tech www.scribd.com/doc/254613765 - Free School Gardening Art Posters www.scribd.com/doc/254613694 - Increase Food Production with Companion Planting in your School Garden www.scribd.com/doc/254609890 - Healthy Foods Dramatically Improves Student Academic Success www.scribd.com/doc/254613619 - City Chickens for your Organic School Garden www.scribd.com/doc/254613553 - Huerto Ecológico, Tecnologías Sostenibles, Agricultura Organica www.scribd.com/doc/254613494 - Simple Square Foot Gardening for Schools - Teacher Guide www.scribd.com/doc/254613410 - Free Organic Gardening Publications www.scribd.com/doc/254609890 ~ cansa.org.za
Chemical Weapons, Accidents, and How To Survive ThemBob Mayer
We all live under the threat of a chemical disaster; whether by intent or accident. A chemical weapon is the easiest of the weapons of mass destruction for a terrorist to make. Chemical accidents happen all the time, whether it be a storage area, a factory, a train derailment or a truck accident. What should you do if it happens near you?
Chemical Weapons, Accidents, and How To Survive ThemBob Mayer
We all live under the threat of a chemical disaster; whether by intent or accident. A chemical weapon is the easiest of the weapons of mass destruction for a terrorist to make. Chemical accidents happen all the time, whether it be a storage area, a factory, a train derailment or a truck accident. What should you do if it happens near you?
Informative Essay on Sustainable Architecture - PHDessay.com. Green Building in the UK Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays .... Green Architecture Essay | PDF. Sustainable architecture.
Air pollution Essay example
Air Pollution During The United States Essay
Air and Water Pollution essay
Thesis Statement On Air Pollution
Essay On Air Pollution
Essay On Air Pollution
Essay On Air Pollution
Air Pollution Essay
Causes Of Air Pollution Essay
Effects Of Air Pollution Essay
Air And Water Pollution Essay
Effects Of Air Pollution Essay
Causes Of Air Pollution Essay
Essay On Air Pollution
Air Pollution
Cause And Effect Essay On Air Pollution
Essay On Air Pollution
The Effects Of Air Pollution And Climate Change
Air Pollution Essay
Argumentative Essay On Air Pollution
Darryl D’Monte (1944-2019): Good Journalism, Epitomised!Nalaka Gunawardene
Slides accompanying the brief talk given by Nalaka Gunawardene at the online seminar on "Darryl's India: journalism, environment and a look to the future"
in Memory of late Darryl D'Monte, veteran journalist. The event was organised by Greenaccord International and held on 5 August 2020.
Avoiding ‘Cyber Nanny State’: Challenges of Social Media Regulation in Sri LankaNalaka Gunawardene
Keynote speech delivered by science writer and digital media analyst Nalaka Gunawardene at the Sri Lanka National IT Conference held in Colombo from 2 to 4 October 2018 (https://www.nitc.lk/2018/).
Summary:
With around a third of Sri Lanka’s 21 million people using at least one type of social media, the phenomenon is no longer limited to cities or English speakers. But as social media users increase and diversify, so do various excesses and abuses on these platforms: hate speech, fake news, identity theft, cyber bullying/harassment, and privacy violations among them.
Public discourse in Sri Lanka has been focused heavily on social media abuses by a relatively small number of users. In a balanced stock taking of the overall phenomenon, the multitude of substantial benefits should also be counted. Social media has allowed ordinary Lankans to share information, collaborate around common goals, pursue entrepreneurship and mobilise communities in times of elections or disasters. In a country where the mainstream media has been captured by political and business interests, social media remains the ‘last frontier’ for citizens to discuss issues of public interest. The economic, educational, cultural benefits of social media for the Lankan society have not been scientifically quantified as yet but they are significant – and keep growing by the year.
In this talk, I caution that social media regulation in the name of curbing excesses could easily be extended to crack down on political criticism and minority views that do not conform to majority orthodoxy. An increasingly insular and unpopular government – now in its last 18 months of its 5-year term – probably fears citizen expressions on social media.
Yet the current Lankan government’s democratic claims and credentials will be tested in how they respond to social media challenges: will that be done in ways that are entirely consistent with the country’s obligations under international human rights laws that have safeguards for the right to Freedom of Expression (FOE)? This is the crucial question.
Communicating Research: How to Engage Policy-makers - By Nalaka GunawardeneNalaka Gunawardene
Presentation made to a group of young (early to mid-career) researchers from across South Asia who want to study many facets of global change. They were brought together at a regional workshop held in in Paro, Bhutan, by the Asia-Pacific Network for Global Change Research (APN) and the National Environment Commission of the Royal Government of Bhutan.
Titled ‘Proposal Development Training Workshop (PDTW)’ and held from 14 to 16 December 2016, PDTW aimed “to raise awareness of APN among early career scientists and practitioners, and to increase the capacity to develop competitive proposals for submission to APN”.
The workshop involved two dozen researchers and half a dozen mentors. I was the sole mentor covering the important aspect of communicating research.
Going Beyond Poor Journalism that Ignores the Poor - Nalaka GunawardeneNalaka Gunawardene
My presentation to the orientation workshop for Media Fellows on Poverty and Development, held in Colombo on 24 September 2016, and organised by Centre for Poverty Analysis (CEPA) and UNESCO.
Sri Lanka has recently been declared a Middle Income Country. Public expenditure on the social sector has declined as a percentage of the GDP and this has created widening inequalities. Poverty, therefore, is still a crucial issue, but it needs be understood from a more holistic perspective which considers aspects such as people’s capabilities, private and social assets, leisure (or lack of it), and attainment of social participation and security.
However, most media look at poverty from a purely economic perspective as a lack of money. A wider understanding on poverty would include democracy, good governance, rule of law, freedom of expression and media freedom as prerequisites for people to realise their full capabilities. In addition to the limited understanding of poverty, most media houses allocate little or no budget for field-based and investigative journalistic assignments on poverty related topics.
With the Media Fellowships on Poverty and Development, the Center for Poverty Analysis (CEPA) hopes to tackle this gap. Some 20 competitively selected journalists – drawn from print, broadcast and web media outlets in Sinhala, Tamil and English languages – are to be given a better understanding of the many dimensions of poverty.
These Media Fellows will have the opportunity to research and produce a story of their choice in depth and detail, but on the understanding that their media outlet will carry their story. Along the way, they will benefit from face-to-face interactions with senior journalists and development researchers, and also receive a grant to cover their field visit costs.
Science writer, columnist and blogger Nalaka Gunawardene is a member of Expert Panel that mentors Media Fellows on Poverty and Development.
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Contaminated without Consent - Resources for Healthy Children www.scribd.com/doc/254613619 - For more information, Please see Organic Edible Schoolyards & Gardening with Children www.scribd.com/doc/254613963 - Gardening with Volcanic Rock Dust www.scribd.com/doc/254613846 - Double Food Production from your School Garden with Organic Tech www.scribd.com/doc/254613765 - Free School Gardening Art Posters www.scribd.com/doc/254613694 - Increase Food Production with Companion Planting in your School Garden www.scribd.com/doc/254609890 - Healthy Foods Dramatically Improves Student Academic Success www.scribd.com/doc/254613619 - City Chickens for your Organic School Garden www.scribd.com/doc/254613553 - Huerto Ecológico, Tecnologías Sostenibles, Agricultura Organica www.scribd.com/doc/254613494 - Simple Square Foot Gardening for Schools - Teacher Guide www.scribd.com/doc/254613410 - Free Organic Gardening Publications www.scribd.com/doc/254609890 ~
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Chemical Weapons, Accidents, and How To Survive ThemBob Mayer
We all live under the threat of a chemical disaster; whether by intent or accident. A chemical weapon is the easiest of the weapons of mass destruction for a terrorist to make. Chemical accidents happen all the time, whether it be a storage area, a factory, a train derailment or a truck accident. What should you do if it happens near you?
Chemical Weapons, Accidents, and How To Survive ThemBob Mayer
We all live under the threat of a chemical disaster; whether by intent or accident. A chemical weapon is the easiest of the weapons of mass destruction for a terrorist to make. Chemical accidents happen all the time, whether it be a storage area, a factory, a train derailment or a truck accident. What should you do if it happens near you?
Informative Essay on Sustainable Architecture - PHDessay.com. Green Building in the UK Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays .... Green Architecture Essay | PDF. Sustainable architecture.
Air pollution Essay example
Air Pollution During The United States Essay
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Air And Water Pollution Essay
Effects Of Air Pollution Essay
Causes Of Air Pollution Essay
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Cause And Effect Essay On Air Pollution
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Air Pollution Essay
Argumentative Essay On Air Pollution
Darryl D’Monte (1944-2019): Good Journalism, Epitomised!Nalaka Gunawardene
Slides accompanying the brief talk given by Nalaka Gunawardene at the online seminar on "Darryl's India: journalism, environment and a look to the future"
in Memory of late Darryl D'Monte, veteran journalist. The event was organised by Greenaccord International and held on 5 August 2020.
Avoiding ‘Cyber Nanny State’: Challenges of Social Media Regulation in Sri LankaNalaka Gunawardene
Keynote speech delivered by science writer and digital media analyst Nalaka Gunawardene at the Sri Lanka National IT Conference held in Colombo from 2 to 4 October 2018 (https://www.nitc.lk/2018/).
Summary:
With around a third of Sri Lanka’s 21 million people using at least one type of social media, the phenomenon is no longer limited to cities or English speakers. But as social media users increase and diversify, so do various excesses and abuses on these platforms: hate speech, fake news, identity theft, cyber bullying/harassment, and privacy violations among them.
Public discourse in Sri Lanka has been focused heavily on social media abuses by a relatively small number of users. In a balanced stock taking of the overall phenomenon, the multitude of substantial benefits should also be counted. Social media has allowed ordinary Lankans to share information, collaborate around common goals, pursue entrepreneurship and mobilise communities in times of elections or disasters. In a country where the mainstream media has been captured by political and business interests, social media remains the ‘last frontier’ for citizens to discuss issues of public interest. The economic, educational, cultural benefits of social media for the Lankan society have not been scientifically quantified as yet but they are significant – and keep growing by the year.
In this talk, I caution that social media regulation in the name of curbing excesses could easily be extended to crack down on political criticism and minority views that do not conform to majority orthodoxy. An increasingly insular and unpopular government – now in its last 18 months of its 5-year term – probably fears citizen expressions on social media.
Yet the current Lankan government’s democratic claims and credentials will be tested in how they respond to social media challenges: will that be done in ways that are entirely consistent with the country’s obligations under international human rights laws that have safeguards for the right to Freedom of Expression (FOE)? This is the crucial question.
Communicating Research: How to Engage Policy-makers - By Nalaka GunawardeneNalaka Gunawardene
Presentation made to a group of young (early to mid-career) researchers from across South Asia who want to study many facets of global change. They were brought together at a regional workshop held in in Paro, Bhutan, by the Asia-Pacific Network for Global Change Research (APN) and the National Environment Commission of the Royal Government of Bhutan.
Titled ‘Proposal Development Training Workshop (PDTW)’ and held from 14 to 16 December 2016, PDTW aimed “to raise awareness of APN among early career scientists and practitioners, and to increase the capacity to develop competitive proposals for submission to APN”.
The workshop involved two dozen researchers and half a dozen mentors. I was the sole mentor covering the important aspect of communicating research.
Going Beyond Poor Journalism that Ignores the Poor - Nalaka GunawardeneNalaka Gunawardene
My presentation to the orientation workshop for Media Fellows on Poverty and Development, held in Colombo on 24 September 2016, and organised by Centre for Poverty Analysis (CEPA) and UNESCO.
Sri Lanka has recently been declared a Middle Income Country. Public expenditure on the social sector has declined as a percentage of the GDP and this has created widening inequalities. Poverty, therefore, is still a crucial issue, but it needs be understood from a more holistic perspective which considers aspects such as people’s capabilities, private and social assets, leisure (or lack of it), and attainment of social participation and security.
However, most media look at poverty from a purely economic perspective as a lack of money. A wider understanding on poverty would include democracy, good governance, rule of law, freedom of expression and media freedom as prerequisites for people to realise their full capabilities. In addition to the limited understanding of poverty, most media houses allocate little or no budget for field-based and investigative journalistic assignments on poverty related topics.
With the Media Fellowships on Poverty and Development, the Center for Poverty Analysis (CEPA) hopes to tackle this gap. Some 20 competitively selected journalists – drawn from print, broadcast and web media outlets in Sinhala, Tamil and English languages – are to be given a better understanding of the many dimensions of poverty.
These Media Fellows will have the opportunity to research and produce a story of their choice in depth and detail, but on the understanding that their media outlet will carry their story. Along the way, they will benefit from face-to-face interactions with senior journalists and development researchers, and also receive a grant to cover their field visit costs.
Science writer, columnist and blogger Nalaka Gunawardene is a member of Expert Panel that mentors Media Fellows on Poverty and Development.
Social Media in Sri Lanka: Do Science and Reason Stand a Chance? - Nalaka Gun...Nalaka Gunawardene
Sri Lanka’s first Science and Technology for Society (STS) Forum took place from 7 to 10 September in Colombo. Organized by the Prime Minister’s Office and the Ministry of Science, Technology and Research, it was one of the largest gatherings of its kind to be hosted by Sri Lanka. http://costi.gov.lk/sts/
Science writer Nalaka Gunawardene was keynote speaker during the session on ‘Using Social Media for Discussing Science Topics’. He used it to highlight how social media have become both a boon and bane for scientific information and thinking in Sri Lanka.
For now, it appears that pseudo-science and anti-science sentiments – some of it rooted in ultra-nationalism or conspiracy theories -- dominate many Lankan social media exchanges. It is as if Lankan society has permanently suspended disbelief.
How and where can the counter-narratives be promoted on behalf of evidenced based, rational discussions? Is this a hopeless task in the face of irrationality engulfing wider Lankan society? Or can progressive and creative use of social media help turn the tide in favour of reason?
Answers to these questions are explored in this presentation, which also cites examples of promising counter-narratives emerging in social media itself. Social media being a contested space, the race between darkness and light continues...
Changing Climate & Changing Minds - Challenges of Climate Communication - Nal...Nalaka Gunawardene
Sri Lanka’s Centre for Environmental Justice in collaboration with the government’s Climate Change Secretariat, UNDP and Janathakshan held a national conference on “SRI LANKA’S READINESS FOR IMPLEMENTING PARIS CLIMATE AGREEMENT” on 7 and 8 September 2016 in Colombo. It was attended by over 200 representatives from government, civil society and corporate sectors.
This presentation was made by science writer and development communicator Nalaka Gunawardene in Session 5: Climate Solutions, under the topic “Climate communication and Behaviour changes”.
As climate change impacts are felt more widely, the imperative for action is greater than ever. Telling the climate story in accurate and accessible ways should be an essential part of our climate response.
That response is currently organised around two ‘planks’: mitigation and adaptation. Climate communication can be the ‘third plank’ that strengthens the first two.
Encouragingly, more journalists, broadcasters, researchers and advocacy groups are taking up this challenge. They urgently need more media and public spaces -- as well as greater resources -- to sustain public engagement.
Sri Lanka’s Information, Education and Communication (IEC) Strategy for Climate Change Adaptation, prepared in 2010-11, has recognized how “IEC action can lead to better informed decisions and enlightened choices in both climate change mitigation and adaptation”.
When strategically carried out, IEC can be a powerful force for change on both the ‘supply’ and ‘demand’ sides of climate adaptation and climate related public information.
In this analogy:
• ‘supply’ involves providing authentic, relevant and timely information to all those who need it, in languages and formats they can readily use; and
• ‘demand’ means inspiring more individuals and entities to look for specific knowledge and skills that can help make themselves more climate resilient.
These two sides of the equation can positively reinforce each other, contributing significantly to Sri Lanka’s fight against climate change.
Right to Information (RTI) - South Asian Regional Experiences - by Nalaka Gun...Nalaka Gunawardene
Right to Information (RTI): South Asian Experiences
Presentation by Nalaka Gunawardene, science writer and new media researcher, at the RTI awareness seminar for senior staff of the Parliament of Sri Lanka on 16 August 2016.
Sri Lanka’s Parliament passed the Right to Information (RTI) law on 24 June 2016. Over 15 years in the making, the RTI law represents a potential transformation across the whole government by opening up hitherto closed public information (with certain clearly specified exceptions related to national security, trade secrets, privacy and intellectual property, etc.).
This presentation introduces the concept of citizens’ right to demand and access public information held by the government, and traces the evolution of the concept from historical time. In fact, Indian Emperor Ashoka (who reigned from c. 268 to 232 Before Christ) was the first to grant his subjects the Right to Information (RTI), according to Indian RTI activist Venkatesh Nayak, Coordinator, Commonwealth Human Rights Initiative (CHRI). Ashoka had inscribed on rocks all over the Indian subcontinent his government’s policies, development programmes and his ideas on various social, economic and political issues -- including how religious co-existence.
Therefore, adopting an RTI law signifies upholding a great Ashokan tradition in Sri Lanka. The presentation looks at RTI good practices and implementation experiences in India, Nepal, Bangladesh, Pakistan and Maldives – all these South Asian countries passed an RTI law before Sri Lanka, and there is much that Sri Lanka can learn from them.
The presentation ends acknowledging the big challenges in implementing RTI in Sri Lanka – reorienting the entire public sector to change its mindset and practices to promote a culture of information sharing and transparent government.
Right to Information Matters Most to Citizens - by Nalaka GunawardeneNalaka Gunawardene
On 11 May 2016, Sri Lanka’s Ministry of Parliamentary Reforms & Mass Media convened a meeting with the senior managers of print and broadcasting media house to discuss how media can support the new Right to Information (RTI) law that has recently been tabled in Parliament.
Nearly 15 years in the making, the RTI law is to be debated in June and expected to be adopted with multi-party consensus. The law represents a transformation across government by opening up hitherto closed public information (with certain cleared specified exceptions).
While media can also benefit from RTI, it is primarily a law for ordinary citizens to demand and receive information related to everyday governance (most of it at local levels). For this, citizens need to understand the RTI process and potential benefits. Media can play a major role in explaining RTI law, and promoting its use in many different ways to promote the public interest and to nurture a culture of evidence-based advocacy for good governance and public accountability.
This presentation was made by media researcher and columnist Nalaka Gunawardene in his capacity as a member of the voluntary Right to Information Task Force convened by the Ministry of Parliamentary Reforms & Mass Media. He illustrates how RTI can benefit citizens, and shares examples from other South Asian countries where newspapers and broadcast houses have been promoting RTI in innovative ways.
Info Society Rising in Sri Lanka: Are You Ready? by Nalaka Gunawardene, 27 Ja...Nalaka Gunawardene
Remarks made by Nalaka Gunawardene, science writer and
New Media researcher, at the Colombo launch of the Centre for Policy Alternatives (CPA)'s new top-line report of a survey on the consumption and perceptions of mainstream and social media in the Western Province of Sri Lanka.
The event was held on 27 January 2016. More about it at: http://nalakagunawardene.com/2016/01/28/information-society-is-rising-in-sri-lanka-are-you-ready/
Mass Kidney Failure and Mass Media Failure in Sri Lanka - by Nalaka Gunawarde...Nalaka Gunawardene
Scientists are researching widely on what causes the Chronic Kidney Disease of unknown etiology (CKDu) in Sri Lanka that affects thousands of people (mostly farm workers) and burdens the public healthcare system. As health officials and policy makers struggle with the prolonged humanitarian emergency, unprofessional and fear-mongering media coverage often adds to public confusion and fear.
As a science writer, I have long been concerned about public communication of risk in times of distress. In late 2012, speaking at an Asian science communication workshop held in Colombo, I first coined the phrase: Mass Media Failure is complicating Mass Kidney Failure.
On 16 December 2015, I was invited by Sri Lanka’s Presidential Task Force for the Prevention of Chronic Kidney Disease to speak on this topic at the NATIONAL WORKSHOP ON PREVENTION OF CHORNIC KIDNEY DISEASE held in Colombo.
Speaking to an audience of scientists, health and agriculture sector public officials and policy makers, I briefly explored the kind of misinformation, myths and pseudo-science uncritically peddled by Lankan media.
There are many reasons for systemic media failure in Sri Lanka that has allowed ultranationalists and certain environmental activists to pollute the public mind with half-truths and conspiracy theories. These need an industry level reform. Meanwhile, for improving the CKDu information flow in society, I proposed some short, medium and long term recommendations.
We the People in the Social Media Age – by Nalaka Gunawardene, Yangon - 10 De...Nalaka Gunawardene
“We the People in the Social Media Age” is a plenary level presentation given at the 4th Media Development Conference in Myanmar, held in Yangon on 10 – 11 December 2015.
The conference, themed as “New Dynamics in Myanmar Media”, took place at a historic moment in Myanmar’s history: Aung San Suu Kyi's National League for Democracy (NLD) has won a landslide victory in Myanmar after general elections on 8 November. It was the country's first national vote since a nominally civilian government was introduced in 2011, ending nearly 50 years of military rule.
Addressing nearly 200 participants drawn from Myanmar’s mainstream media, new media and ICT spheres – including policymakers, managers and practitioners – I briefly explored the impact of social media in the present social landscape: Asian Regional perspectives.
The organizers had asked me to touch on these points:
• The role of social media at elections
• Bloggers and other social media activists and their space and role in the whole social media theatre
• Usage and future challenges/perspectives of the social media sector
• The relationship between the conventional and social media in the media landscape in Asia
• Importance of media literacy in a society and ways and means of educating public on media literacy
I could only raise a few ‘big picture’ level points in the short time available. As always, I asked more questions than I could answer – but it is very important that we seek such answers.
My concluding remark on the panel was: whether we like it or not, social media is here. Let us use them to serve the public interest. In other words, as Sir Arthur Clarke used to say, Exploit the Inevitable!
Diplomacy and Foreign Relations in the Social Media Age: By Nalaka Gunawarden...Nalaka Gunawardene
I made this presentation on 14 November 2015 to students of the Certificate Course in Creative Diplomacy, conducted by the Regional Centre for Strategic Studies (RCSS) in Colombo, Sri Lanka – a think tank on international relations.
In this, I introduce and briefly explore the new kind of real-time, public diplomacy that is being ushered in with the spreading of social media. I show how diplomats and other government officials can no longer ignore this mass medium, but at the same time their traditional ways of communications need to be reoriented to suit the realities of this new information ecosystem that is informal, irreverent and fleeting.
As I spoke on the day after the ISIS terrorist attacks in France, I used (among others) the latest examples of how Gérard Araud, France’s Ambassador to the US, tweeted live as multiple terror attacks unfolded in Paris on Nov 13 night.
To see the bigger picture, I’ve distilled some wisdom of key researchers in this area including: Anne-Marie Slaughter, former Princeton Academic and ex-Director of Policy Planning, US State Department; Philip Seib, Professor of Journalism and Public Diplomacy, University of Southern California; and Ramesh Thakur, Professor, Crawford School of Public Policy, Australian National University (ANU).
I dedicated this presentation to a diplomat and scholar whose mentoring I was privileged to receive 20 years ago: Dr Harlan Cleveland (1918 - 2008) who served as US Ambassador to NATO, 1965–1969 (Johnson Administration), and earlier as US Assistant Secretary of State for International Organization Affairs, 1961–1965 (Kennedy Administration).
Open Data, Open Government & Open Minds - by Nalaka Gunawardene - 15 Oct 2015Nalaka Gunawardene
Opening remarks by science writer and journalist Nalaka Gunawardene at an introductory seminar on ‘open data’ held at the Sri Lanka Press Institute, Colombo, on 15 Oct 2015.
The seminar explored the concepts of ‘open data’ and 'big data' and discussed that role civil society, media and technologists can play in advocating to government to open up its data, enabling a culture of transparency and open government.
Grassroots Journalism in the Digital Age - by Nalaka GunawardeneNalaka Gunawardene
Talk given by Nalaka Gunawardene to a group of 75 provincial level provincial journalists in Sri Lanka from around the island who have just completed a training course in investigative journalism conducted by Transparency International Sri Lanka (TISL), with support from InterNews. The certificate award ceremony was held at Sri Lanka Press Institute (SLPI), Colombo, on 2 October 2015.
In this talk, I look at the larger news media industry in Sri Lanka to which provincial journalists supply ground level news, images and video materials. These are used on a discretionary basis by media companies mostly based in the capital Colombo (and some based in the northern provincial capital of Jaffna). Suppliers have no control over whether or how their material is processed. They work without employment benefits, are poorly paid, and also exposed to various pressures and coercion.
I question why, after 180+ years, the Lankan media industry broadly follows the same production model: material sourced is centrally processed and distributed, without much adaptation to new digital media realities. Who can disrupt these old models and innovate? Can disruptive innovators emerge from among provincial journalists?
Managing Religious and Communal Tensions in the Digital Age - by Nalaka Gunaw...Nalaka Gunawardene
Managing Religious and Communal Tensions in Digital Age: Choices & Dilemmas
Remarks at Consultation on Reporting on Religious & Communal Tensions in Sri Lanka, organised by the National Christian Evangelical Alliance of Sri Lanka.
Media Reforms in Sri Lanka - Highlights of a Rapid Assessment by Nalaka Gunaw...Nalaka Gunawardene
Media Development in Sri Lanka: Highlights of a Rapid Assessment is the plenary presentation by Nalaka Gunawardene, media development consultant, to the Sri Lanka National Media Summit on Media Reforms held in Colombo on 13 May 2015.
This was a national level event jointly convened by the Ministry of Mass Media, Sri Lanka Press Institute, University of Colombo and International Media Support, to discuss broad-ranging policy, legal and institutional reforms needed in Lankan media.
Media Reforms in Sri Lanka - Some Big Picture Ideas by Nalaka GunawardeneNalaka Gunawardene
Talk given by science writer and media researcher Nalaka Gunawardene to the Sri Lanka Media Reform Working Goup, at its first meeting held at Sri Lanka Press Institute (SLPI), Colombo, on 20 March 2015. The group will prepare for National Summit on Media Reforms to be held in mid May 2015.
In this talk, Nalaka looks at four facets of Lankan media -- owners, advertisers, practitioners and consumers -- and identifies some reform needs in each.
Ride Your Imagination to Space – by Nalaka GunawardeneNalaka Gunawardene
Presentation given by Nalaka Gunawardene
Science Writer
at
ORBIT ’15, Annual Astronomical Event of Astronomy & Space Science Association of D S Senanayake College, Colombo, Sri Lanka, on 13 March 2015.
Event details at: https://www.facebook.com/events/270492739827440/322372387972808/
Emerging Digital Democracy? Social Media & Sri Lanka's Presidential Election ...Nalaka Gunawardene
Emerging Digital Democracy?
Social Media and Sri Lanka's Recent Presidential Election
Talk by Nalaka Gunawardene
Science writer, columnist and new media watcher
At the University of London, 12 Feb 2015
Organised and hosted by:
The Institute of Commonwealth Studies, University of London & Commonwealth Journalists’ Association (CJA)
Synopsis:
A record 81.5% of registered voters took part in Sri Lanka’s presidential election on 8 January 2015 in which incumbent Mahinda Rajapaksa was defeated by his former health minister Maithripala Sirisena. The peaceful regime change has been widely acclaimed as a triumph of democracy and a mandate for political reform, improved governance and national reconciliation.
The election saw unprecedented use of social media by both candidates as well as by politically charged yet unaffiliated youth. How much of this citizen awakening can be attributed to the fast spread of smartphones and broadband? Did it really influence how people voted? What does this mean for future politics and governance in Sri Lanka?
Trained as a science writer and working for over 25 years as a science journalist, Nalaka Gunawardene is a multimedia journalist with many outlets for his work – national and regional newspapers, magazines, radio, TV and the web (where he is active as a blogger and on Twitter: @NalakaG). He is also published in trade, academic and technical publications.
Mind the Gap between Perceptions & Reality - Nalaka Gunawardene keynote to He...Nalaka Gunawardene
Plenary talk by Nalaka Gunawardene at the HelpAge Asia Pacific Regional Conference 2014 on "Older People in Ageing Societies: Burden or Resource?" held in Chiang Mai, Thailand, 1 to 4 Sep 2014.
Introduction to AI for Nonprofits with Tapp NetworkTechSoup
Dive into the world of AI! Experts Jon Hill and Tareq Monaur will guide you through AI's role in enhancing nonprofit websites and basic marketing strategies, making it easy to understand and apply.
Normal Labour/ Stages of Labour/ Mechanism of LabourWasim Ak
Normal labor is also termed spontaneous labor, defined as the natural physiological process through which the fetus, placenta, and membranes are expelled from the uterus through the birth canal at term (37 to 42 weeks
A workshop hosted by the South African Journal of Science aimed at postgraduate students and early career researchers with little or no experience in writing and publishing journal articles.
The simplified electron and muon model, Oscillating Spacetime: The Foundation...RitikBhardwaj56
Discover the Simplified Electron and Muon Model: A New Wave-Based Approach to Understanding Particles delves into a groundbreaking theory that presents electrons and muons as rotating soliton waves within oscillating spacetime. Geared towards students, researchers, and science buffs, this book breaks down complex ideas into simple explanations. It covers topics such as electron waves, temporal dynamics, and the implications of this model on particle physics. With clear illustrations and easy-to-follow explanations, readers will gain a new outlook on the universe's fundamental nature.
it describes the bony anatomy including the femoral head , acetabulum, labrum . also discusses the capsule , ligaments . muscle that act on the hip joint and the range of motion are outlined. factors affecting hip joint stability and weight transmission through the joint are summarized.
Safalta Digital marketing institute in Noida, provide complete applications that encompass a huge range of virtual advertising and marketing additives, which includes search engine optimization, virtual communication advertising, pay-per-click on marketing, content material advertising, internet analytics, and greater. These university courses are designed for students who possess a comprehensive understanding of virtual marketing strategies and attributes.Safalta Digital Marketing Institute in Noida is a first choice for young individuals or students who are looking to start their careers in the field of digital advertising. The institute gives specialized courses designed and certification.
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This slide is special for master students (MIBS & MIFB) in UUM. Also useful for readers who are interested in the topic of contemporary Islamic banking.
Strategies for Effective Upskilling is a presentation by Chinwendu Peace in a Your Skill Boost Masterclass organisation by the Excellence Foundation for South Sudan on 08th and 09th June 2024 from 1 PM to 3 PM on each day.
How to Build a Module in Odoo 17 Using the Scaffold MethodCeline George
Odoo provides an option for creating a module by using a single line command. By using this command the user can make a whole structure of a module. It is very easy for a beginner to make a module. There is no need to make each file manually. This slide will show how to create a module using the scaffold method.
This presentation includes basic of PCOS their pathology and treatment and also Ayurveda correlation of PCOS and Ayurvedic line of treatment mentioned in classics.
1. Surviving Chemicals &
Making Sense of Them
By Nalaka Gunawardene
Science Writer & Columnist
www.nalakagunawardene.com
Presentation to Media workshop on scientific reporting
on chemical issues
Organised by Centre for Environmental Justice
Colombo, 25 September 2012
2. It’s All About Managing Risks!
Modern life depends on 100s of
chemicals (going back to Stone
Age not an option)
Toxicity depends on dose,
exposure, resilience, etc.
100% chemical free life NOT
POSSIBLE ANYWHERE ON EARTH
Understand risks; stay within
tolerable levels
Don’t Demonise Science & Tech!
3. 5 Leading Lights in Public Science:
Balancing Risk & Benefits
Rachel Carson (1907 – 1964)
Alice Hamilton (1869 – 1970)
Sherwood Rowland (1927 – 2012)
Theo Colborn (1927 - )
Anil Agarwal (1947 – 2002)
Remind us
there are HONEST,
CONSCIENTIOUS SCIENTISTS too!
4. Rachel Louise Carson (1907-1964):
Inspired Environmental Movement
Marine biologist
Worked for US Bureau of
Fisheries
Became nature writer in 1950s:
original books on oceans
Late 1950s: Turned attention to
impacts of pesticides on
animals, ecosystems – humans?
Most important book: 1962…
5. 50 Years ago, in 1962:
A book that changed the world…
This is the way
8. Alice Hamilton (1869 – 1970):
Pioneer in Toxicology
Trained as medical doctor
professor of pathology
Studied industrial medicine &
occupational health issues
First woman to join as teacher
of Harvard Medical School
Pioneer in toxicology: what
are chemicals doing to our
bodies?
9. Adding Lead to Gasoline/Petrol
1924: Oil & car companies
introduce Tetra Ethyl Lead
(TEL) to prevent petrol car
engines ‘knocking’
To boost octane & raise
compression ratios
Public health specialists:
Lead is a well known poison!
Industry: “Don’t worry - Not
harmful in small doses!”
11. Counterpoint:
Surely you can do better?
“It would be foolish to talk of the
industrial value of tetraethyl lead,
when there is a health hazard
involved. Men who could discover
the fuel value of tetraethyl
certainly could invent or discover
something equally efficient and in
no way dangerous. American
chemists can do it if they will.”
- Dr Alice Hamilton, 1925
12.
13. Evidence piles up over decades…
1970: US finally bans lead in petrol…
This is the way
ththth
Sri Lanka finally kicked lead addiction in 2002.
14. Kicking out Lead in Petrol:
A Rare Success Story worldwide
Developing countries followed North
America & Europe Lead phased out in
most countries by 1990s
Sri Lanka: State petroleum monopoly
dragged its feet for dozen years, finally
did so in 2002
Sustained evidence-based advocacy-
story recalled in my recent column:
http://collidecolumn.wordpress.com/201
2/07/15/when-worlds-collide-24-kicking-
lead-in-petrol-lessons-for-cleaning-up-
dirty-diesel/
16. 1974 - Sherwood Rowland & Mario
Molina: “CFCs damage Ozone Layer”
This is the way
ththth
17. CFCs: Another ‘Wonder Chemical’
turns deadly after a few decades…
This is the way
ththth
18. Govts reacted quickly to new
science…So many lives saved!
Montreal Protocol is
estimated to have
prevented (1987-2010):
19 million cases of non-
melanoma (skin) cancer
1.5 million cases of
melanoma cancer
130 million cases of eye
cataracts.
19. Theo Colborn (1927 - ):
Gender-Bender Detective
Originally trained as a
pharmacologist
PhD in zoology at age 58
Discovery in 1980s at Great
Lakes of North America: fish,
birds, reptiles & mammals
suffering from mysterious
reproductive disorders
Male/female hormones
affected – how & why?
20. Theo Colborn as ‘Detective’…
Industrial chemicals (in pesticides,
plastics & cosmetics, etc.) interfered
with animals' endocrine systems, where
hormones are regulated.
All chemicals had one thing in common:
at molecular level, they were
structurally similar to estrogen, female
hormone: GENDER-BENDERS?
Colborn speculated: chemical pollutants
responsible for lower sperm counts
among men in Europe?
21. Our Stolen Future, 1996
A new scientific discipline:
Endocrine disruption
Still active at 85…
What are all these chemicals
doing to human bodies, at
chemical level?
Look beyond cancers to
other effects too!
Researchers keep probing
www.endocrinedisruption.com
22. Anil Agarwal (1947 – 2002):
Holding Science Accountable
IIT-qualified mechanical
engineer science
journalist & eco campaigner
Reporter, Hindustan Times
(India), New Scientist (UK)#
Founded Centre for Science
& Environment (CSE), 1980
Started India’s Down to
Earth magazine, 1992
24. Right to Clean Air – both outdoors
AND indoors…
Not just outdoor pollution
by vehicles & factories
ALSO indoor pollution from
poorly ventilated kitchens
Exposing millions of women
& children to respiratory
illnesses & premature
deaths
25.
26. Anil Agarwal asks in 1996: “My Story
Today; Your Story Tomorrow?”
1994: Diagnosed with ocular
& central nervous system
Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma
(NHL)
“I learnt that the black lines
in my eyes were cancer cells
which had formed a sheet in
front of the retina.”
1996 Down to Earth cover:
his own story
27. We are shaped by what we eat,
drink & breathe…NO ESCAPE!
“As an environmental activist and
writer, I have tried for years to
promote nationwide concern about
the deteriorating state of our
environment. The idea of writing about
my own travails as an environmental
victim had, however, never crossed my
mind. But obviously, I could not have
escaped what was and is happening all
around me.”
- Anil Agarwal in 1996
28. Covering Chemical Stories in Media:
A few generic tips
• ‘Chemical Pollution’ stories never
just that – there’s much more!
• Complex links to govt policy,
regulation, industrial lobbies,
technology options, etc, etc.
• Strong vested interests: money,
power, intrigue!
• At stake: public health & lives
• Hype & disinformation abound
• But success stories too!
29. How to cover complex, evolving
environmental stories…
Many stories are science-based…
Ideal media coverage: informed by
science, but NOT IMMERSED in it!
Chemical safety: environment +
business + health + politics + rights
Science is a self-correcting process
There are good scientists, too!
LOOK FOR HIDDEN STORIES…
30. Under-Reported Toxic Stories…
Gradual poisoning of our bodies
and surroundings (too slow for
Breaking News?)
Toxic chemicals mixed up in the air
(e.g. Diesel fumes that cause
cancer)
Chemicals used by public agencies
& utilities (e.g. chlorine to purify
drinking water)
HOW COME THESE GET AWAY
WITHOUT MUCH SCRUTINY?
31. Lead in petrol is gone…
Our next challenge: sulphur in diesel?
June 2012: WHO Expert Group confirms diesel fumes
definitely carcinogenic
Limited media reaction
in Sri Lanka: WHY?
My column, 8 July 2012:
‘Slow Murder’ by Subsidised Diesel Fumes:
http://collidecolumn.wordpress.com/2012/07/07/w
hen-worlds-collide-23-slow-murder-by-subsidised-
diesel-fumes/
32. WHY ISN’T THIS CONFIRMED KILLER NOT GETTING AS
MUCH PRESS AS SPECULATED “ARSENIC IN RICE”?
Cartoon courtesy: CSE India
33. Diesel sulphur level in Sri Lanka: 3,000 parts per million
(ppm); Contrast with India 350 ppm & Japan, 30 - 50 ppm
DIESEL FUMES CAUSE CANCER: WHY ISN’T THIS A STORY?
34. Advice to scientist-activists…
“Scientists should first
establish themselves as
scientists, with a solid record
of peer-reviewed
achievement, THEN speak out
in their area of expertise
--loudly, if necessary.”
- Edward O Wilson
Harvard biologist, author