The Ministry of Planning and Investment (MPI) with support from the Lao Journalists Association (LJA) and the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) organized a 1-day media workshop for Lao journalists about the International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD).

The activity held in Vientiane aimed to strengthen capacities of Lao reporters to confidently cover and write about ICPD PoA priority areas. Mr. Larry Jagan, freelance journalist and trainer with experience in the coverage of ICPD-related issues conducted the training.

The training saw the attendance of 34 journalists from the main media houses in Vientiane as well as 4 journalists from Oudomxai, Luang Namtha, Phongsali and Savanaketh.

During the event, the organizers launched the ICPD Article Contest for Lao Journalists. Attendees were encouraged to produce and publish feature stories, articles or opinion editorials on ICPD related issues and submit to UNFPA for the article contest. The best works will be awarded as follows: 1st place: 2.000.000 LAK; 2nd place: 1.500.000 LAK and 3rd place: 1.000.000 LAK.

The winners will be selected by the Article Contest Steering Committee composed of UNFPA and the Lao Journalists Association. The selection will be completed by November 2012.