image: A floral welcome to WCSJ 2023 in Medellin, Colombia view more
Credit: Ruth Francis
The opening day of the World Conference of Science Journalists (WCSJ) 2023 in Medellín, Colombia saw hundreds of journalists from 62 countries come together in the stunning setting of the city’s Jardin Botanico.
Over 500 attendees will gather over three days to discuss science journalism, to challenge ideas and to reinforce their professional networks and friendships.
The day began with a keynote on biodiversity delivered by Brigitte Baptiste, a Colombian biologist and expert in biodiversity issues. And it closed with an opening ceremony and vibrant social event for attendees.
Both took place under open skies in the Jardin’s orquideorama, an open air meshwork of flower-tree structures surrounded by trees, butterflies and with a backdrop of birdsong.
Two other plenaries focused on scientific advice and news from Amazonia. The morning’s parallel panels covered Latin American and international collaboration, with discussions from Latin American women researchers, reporting on science, health and the environment in the region and what the world can learn from Latin American and the Caribbean early warning alerts systems. The afternoon saw discussions on COVID-19, popular science writing and astronomy.
The conference continues until Friday when there are scientific tours and excursions that provide the opportunity to visit local research teams and find out more about science in the region.
According to WWF, Colombia is the most biodiverse country per square kilometre in the world. It is also the country with the largest number of bird species — over 1,900 — and the greatest number of butterfly species — over 3,600 or 20% butterfly species.
Milica Momcilovic, President of the World Federation of Science Journalists said: “Independent journalism is the lifeblood of democracy and our focus at the Federation is, and will continue to be, supporting independent science journalism around the world. I have seen first hand how talented science journalists can change the world for the better and during this conference they will tell us these stories in person.”
Ximena Serrano Gil, Director of the Medellín conference said: “Colombia and Medellin are a biodiversity hotspot, an unrivalled laboratory for helping other nations adapt to climate change, a model for how to feed populations in rapidly changing tropical environments, and a cultural repository where thousands of years of indigenous peoples' knowledge can make a lasting contribution to the wisdom of future generations.”
She continued: "The opportunity to share ideas and collaborate with others is invaluable and we must continue to create platforms that facilitate these interactions. I hope that other places in the global south will have the opportunity to host the WCSJ."
Over the past two decades, the World Federation of Science Journalists (WFSJ) has mounted the WCSJ every other year. The event has been held in cities across the globe, and the current edition in Medellín, Colombia, was postponed from 2021 because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Each gathering lasts about a week and attracts hundreds of participants from the WFSJ membership, including some 10,000 science writers in 51 countries.
This conference has been put together with a specific focus on the global south and on amplifying new voices from science journalist communities.