25 September 2009: The International Media Consultation on Water and Climate Change, held from 24-25 September 2009, at the University of Zaragoza, Spain, highlighted media’s role in fostering and implementing government policies for adaptation to climate change in water resource management.

Participants further pointed to the need for capacity building of journalists on water and climate change issues as a basis for good reporting and for communicating complex information. The consultation was organized by the UN Office to Support the International Decade for Action “Water for Life” 2005-2015 (UNO-IDfA), in collaboration with the Spanish Ministry of the Environment and Rural and Marine Affairs, the Government of Aragon, the University of Zaragoza and other partners. It brought together around 50 opinion leaders, communicators, UN representatives and experts from across Africa, Asia, Europe, North and South America. The consultation aimed at raising awareness about the connection between water and climate change, exploring the role of communicators in shaping public opinion, and identifying best practices and information-exchange methods. [UNO-IDfA website] [Summary of conclusions]