The 17th meeting of the Conference of Parties (COP17) of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) presented a great opportunity for southern Africa journalists to interact with policy makers and experts from across the world.

To maximize the returns for journalists from this conference, PSAf participated in a number of initiatives to support media participation at the conference. In light of the high stakes at the conference, PSAf partnered with like-minded organisations to support community and mainstream media journalists to cover the conference, bridging the information gap between policy makers and poor and marginalised communities.

In Zambia, PSAf was among the organisations that partnered with the Zambia Climate Change Network (ZCCN), Oxfam, Action Aid and their partners to support the participation of journalists in key activities before, during and after the conference. Nine journalists were selected to take part in the Trans African Caravan of Hope, which entailed a road trip through nine Eastern and Southern Africa countries to galvanise voices of different stakeholders on climate change. As the chair of the media working group, PSAf was at the forefront of assembling the team of media professionals who took part on the caravan and the COP17.  

The nine journalists represented the following institutions: Oblate Radio Liseli (Mongu), Zambezi FM Radio (Livingstone), East Rights Media Agency (Chipata), Petauke Explorers Radio station (Petauke), Radio Phoenix (Lusaka), Muvi Television (Lusaka), Zambia Daily Mail (Lusaka), Kachere Studio (Chilanga)  and Times of Zambia (Lusaka). 

In Mozambique, PSAf supported five journalists and one editor/mentor under the Global Issues Journalism Fellowships (GIJF) project to attend and cover the COP17. The ensure adequate and comprehensive coverage of global debates on Climate Change and ensure that these debates reach the national public timely, the journalists were first trained in Maputo in October, after which the five were shortlisted.

During the conference, PSAf staff members held formal and informal sessions with journalists to help them pick key issues emerging or likely to emerge from the COP17. This was necessary to enable the journalists to sift story ideas from key issues emerging from the engagements in the conference. 

In terms of output, Alexis Phiri of Kachere Studio developed a unique exhibition where he showcased the impact of climate change using fine art. These artworks also saved as a petition highlighting the impact of climate change. 

The rest of the media practitioners managed to file news, features and documentaries for their media houses highlighting the discussions and linking those with the impact of climate change in Zambia.