Jakarta, Indonesia — 7 July 2025 — During a dynamic two-day visit, Professor Kaveh Madani, Director of the United Nations University Institute for Water, Environment and Health (UNU-INWEH), advanced a new strategic collaboration with Radio Republik Indonesia (RRI) to enhance environmental, water, health, and climate reporting across the Asia-Pacific region.
On 30 June, Prof. Madani and RRI’s President Director Dr. Ignatius Hendrasmo signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to strengthen cooperation on climate change, water-related issues, and the evolving role of media in sustainable development communication in the region. Under this partnership, RRI will host and operate the Asia-Pacific Secretariat of the Global Media Academy under UNU-INWEH’s guidance, providing technical infrastructure, staff, and operational support.
“Media has immense power to shift mindsets and influence decisions,” said Prof. Madani during his keynote at the signing ceremony. “To fight misinformation and apathy, we need a new generation of storytellers who understand the science and can make it accessible and comprehensible by local communities.”
In his opening remarks, Dr. Hendrasmo underscored RRI’s long-standing devotion to national and regional development, adding “this partnership represents our deep commitment to supporting sustainable development goals. By hosting the Asia-Pacific Secretariat, RRI is proud to invest in environmental communication and help amplify the voices of those affected by water, environmental, climate, and health challenges.”
The MoU signing was attended by media leaders, diplomats, academics, and UN officials. Prof. Madani called on journalists to become “agents of change,” emphasizing that equipping the media with science-based tools and knowledge is essential to tackling the world’s interconnected environmental crises. The Global Media Academy, an educational initiative led by UNU-INWEH and developed in collaboration with HEC Montréal aims to build capacities and train science-literate communicators worldwide.
“The Government of Canada’s support has been vital not only to this initiative in Indonesia, but to our broader efforts to build capacity, bridge science and policy, and promote informed action on some of the world’s most pressing water challenges,” said Prof. Madani, during his remarks at the signing event.
RRI’s designation as UNU-INWEH’s Global Media Academy Asia-Pacific focal point underscores Indonesia’s growing leadership in regional water diplomacy and journalism. “This recognition highlights Indonesia’s strategic role as a regional hub promoting sustainable water management solutions and raising public awareness of global water issues, both crucial to achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals,” said Juan Pablo Valdes, Political and Public Affairs Adviser at the Canadian Embassy in Jakarta.
On 1 July, UNU-INWEH and RRI held the official inauguration of the Asia-Pacific Secretariat at the Multiplatform Broadcasting Center (MBC) RRI in Depok, West Java. The Secretariat will serve as a regional hub for capacity development, content co-production, and professional networking among journalists, educators, and media practitioners, with a focus on water security, sustainable development, and evidence-based storytelling.
Representing HEC Montréal, Dr. Javad Mottaghi, Adjunct Professor, emphasized the importance of linking research and communication, “By equipping journalists with analytical tools and international insights, this Academy bridges innovation in environmental science with compelling storytelling—empowering media professionals to drive water security and sustainability.”
In addition to the official ceremonies, Prof. Madani engaged in a series of media and academic events during his visit. He appeared on TVRI World to discuss “Global Water Bankruptcy”, spoke for the representatives of 69 RRI stations across Indonesia, and participated in a live national segment on RRI Pro 3, where he addressed urgent issues related to water scarcity and climate resilience. He also delivered a livestreamed guest lecture at IPB University, co-hosted by UNU-INWEH and RRI, focusing on water governance and sustainability in a changing climate.
These engagements underscored the Global Media Academy’s mission to foster cross-sector dialogue and build regional capacity through education, communication, and collaboration.
Media Contact:
Shooka Bidarian
Media & Journalism Fellow, Sustainability and Climate, United Nations University shooka.bidarian@unu.edu
