Tour of the Alps for journalists

The Permanent Secretariat of the Alpine Convention is organizing a crossing of the Alps for journalists in early summer, with the aim of raising awareness on the challenges and opportunities of its region and on the Alpine Convention as a toolbox for the balanced development of a territory shared by eight countries. The tour will show the characteristics, features, opportunities and common issues the Alpine inhabitants are facing. This year’s focus will be on the topic of “Alpine Green Economy”. 

The small group of journalists will be taken for a week-long excursion across the Alps, using sustainable means of transport, that are alternative to private car; trains, buses and bicycles will be used, and a part of the tour will be done on foot. Throughout the tour the group will meet various people from the Alps – academics, civil society representatives, business people, workers, farmers and government officials, among others. Hence, the name of the crossing: “We are Alps”.

The tour will take place on 29 June - 5 July 2016 on a route linking Innsbruck, Austria, and Gorizia, Italy. Activities on the topic of Green Economy in the Alps, including energy efficiency in building, renewable energy production, sustainable use of natural resources, ecosystem services and natural capital-based economy and overall economic development as the basis for a good quality life in the Alps, will be carried out in Austria, Germany, Italy and Slovenia. The participants will have the opportunity to meet the actors of flagship projects contributing to innovative approaches on topics such as water and forest management, spatial planning, transport, tourism, farming, energy production and savings and many more. Alpine green economy is also the topic of the upcoming Report on the State of the Alps that will be presented to the Alpine ministers in October and tour participants will have a chance to catch a glimpse of it in real life.

Participants in the 2016 tour will be identified through this “Call for Interest", which is open to journalists, from Alpine countries, in particular. Balanced participation from all Alpine countries will be sought. Participants should prove professional interest in Alpine and Green Economy-related topics and be in good physical condition. Since the tour will be carried out in English, proficiency in the English language is needed. 

The Permanent Secretariat of the Alpine Convention will select approximately 12 participants for the 2016 edition based on their articles, professional experience and connections to the mountains and green economy topics.

To apply, please fill out the application form and waiver and send them to wearealps@alpconv.org together with an example of your articles/broadcasts before 30 April 2016. Selected journalists will be notified by mid-May. 

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Photo: FAO/Richard Slaby