November 28, 2025 (Addis Ababa, Ethiopia): The Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), through its Food Systems Resilience Program (FSRP) with financial support from the World Bank, has today launched a two-day regional Journalism and Influencer Training aimed at enhancing communication on food systems resilience and climate action across the Horn of Africa.
The workshop, facilitated by the IGAD Communication Unit, brings together Food Security focal persons, journalists, editors, and digital influencers from IGAD Member States at a time when climate shocks, food insecurity, and environmental stress continue to challenge development efforts in the region. By uniting these communicators in one space, IGAD is fostering collaboration and strengthening a media environment capable of elevating public awareness, shaping policy engagement, and opening pathways for continued partnership between media actors and IGAD technical teams as they work to highlight resilience interventions across Member States.
Resilience remains at the heart of the region’s development agenda. Through FSRP, IGAD is working to support sustainable agriculture, improve adaptation to climate impacts, and increase food security. The training recognises that while technical solutions are advancing, the voices that carry these solutions to the public must also be strengthened particularly in a media landscape where traditional journalism and digital influence increasingly intersect.
Opening the session on behalf of Daher Elmi, Director of Agriculture and Environment, Dr. Senait Regassa, Project Coordinator for the IGAD Food Systems Resilience Programme, highlighted the urgency of empowering regional communicators.
“When journalists and influencers report accurately and compellingly on food systems, communities become more aware, institutions become more accountable, and resilience work gains momentum. We want this training to spark that shift,” she said.
Speaking during the event, Austine Opata, IGAD Head of Communication, underscored the need to amplify climate and food resilience messaging in ways that connect with diverse audiences.
“Information only becomes powerful when it is understood, shared widely, and acted upon. This training ensures that those shaping public narratives are well equipped to communicate with clarity, depth, and responsibility,” he said.
The programme will build participants’ capacity to report on food systems and climate issues using accurate data, compelling storytelling, and ethical journalism standards. Over the two days, attendees will engage in expert presentations, group discussions, and hands-on media workshops designed to enhance their ability to communicate climate information in ways the public can access, trust, and act upon.
As climate impacts continue to affect agriculture, water access, and livelihoods in the Horn of Africa, this training reinforces IGAD’s commitment to equipping communicators with the tools to amplify credible information and spark meaningful dialogue. Through informed storytelling and sustained media engagement, the region moves closer to a more resilient and food-secure future. This meeting will establish an IGAD Food Systems Journalists and Influencers Network, a lasting platform for cross-border collaboration, continuous knowledge exchange, and enhanced visibility of resilience initiatives across the region.
