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As part of Human Development, Children and Youth, Health, and Education Day at the United Nations Climate Change Conference in Baku, Azerbaijan (COP29), a new series of micro-documentaries highlighting the effects of the climate crisis and its disproportionate impact on the Global South has been released, spearheaded by the CNN. From dwindling ecosystems to rising water levels and vanishing flora, emerging journalists from Bangladesh, Colombia, Egypt, Kenya, India, Indonesia, Mexico, Nepal, Nigeria, Sierra-Leone, South Africa, the Philippines, and Vietnam have captured and crafted stories of the communities and environments most affected by climate change. This collection of short films is one result of specialized training by CNN Academy, supported by The Rockefeller Foundation, to amplify diverse voices and teach and promote accurate and impactful reporting through the Global South Climate Storytelling program.

The stories were created over the course of seven months, during which time each of the participants was guided by a CNN mentor. Mentors provided insights on researching, storyboarding, capturing and editing to ensure the stories were engaging and would appeal to and connect with a vast, international audience. CNN Academy trainers and specialists from across the globe also provided instruction on mobile journalism and self-filming which was complemented with advice on tracking, scriptwriting, and vocal training to enhance the rich visuals with a strong audio narrative.

Becky Anderson, Anchor & Managing Editor, CNN Abu Dhabi, said: “We have been privileged to play a part in honing the already remarkable skills of this group of young storytellers via our CNN Academy initiative. To see these powerful, deeply authentic films informed by some of that training and mentorship gives us an enormous sense of pride, as well as a feeling of confidence that the future of journalism is in good hands with talented, passionate storytellers such as these.”

While these videos were created by storytellers working independently, upon completion all were subject to rigorous levels of scrutiny from CNN’s legal, standards & practices, and fact-checking teams before they were approved for publication.

Kostas Oikonomou Vice President, Content Sales and Licensing, CNN International Commercial, said “CNN Academy goes from strength to strength with key partners around the world, upskilling emerging talent and underpinning vital points of journalism, including how the climate crisis affects the Global South. This is a valued collaboration with The Rockefeller Foundation which has a focus on reversing the climate crisis and shares CNN Academy’s aim of empowering upcoming journalists.”

Eileen O’Connor, Senior Vice President for Policy & Advocacy, The Rockefeller Foundation, said: “As part of CNN Academy, The Rockefeller Foundation is proud to support young storytellers, empowering them to report on the greatest existential threat of our time: climate change. By amplifying voices and perspectives from regions that often go unseen and unheard, as well as providing access to world-class experts and trainings, we are investing in a new generation of journalists. You can see in their stories how committed they are to inspiring climate action in the areas of the world that need it most.”

CNN Academy Global South Storytellers:

Participants from the CNN Academy Global South Climate Storytelling program share their reflections on the impact of climate change and the importance of amplifying their communities’ voices through storytelling:

• “Participating in this program was an enriching experience that will stay with me throughout my entire career. I gained valuable skills in every detailed aspect of journalism, making it both an enjoyable and impactful journey. My mentor played a crucial role in helping me explore in depth the themes of my documentary, enhancing its quality and depth. Huge thanks to everyone who designed and supported this journey—it was a truly rich and comprehensive experience filled with essential knowledge that I’ll carry forward in my life.” ― Doaa Fareed, Egypt

The full collection of work from the Global South Climate Storytelling program can be watched at cnn.com/world/cnn-academy. For more information see academy.cnn.com