Together with its partner Friends of the Earth International, IPS organised on May 28 in Prague a communication training around the issue of mining and oil and gas exploration. Former IPS editor in chief Miren Gutierrez discussed with around 25 NGO representatives ways to reach mass audiences through the mass media and how to promote investigative journalism. The participants also drafted a communications strategy and received hands-on media training.

The training was part of a three days meeting of representatives of FOEI member groups with the aim to introduce and update participants about FOEI’s Resist Mining, Oil and Gas Program. Of the 18 European participants, 9 came from the new EU member states. The training was funded by the European Commission under a project to raise awareness about challenges for sustainable development in the South.