As part of the advocacy efforts, USAID IUWASH PLUS conducted several activities with media in Medan, North Sumatra. These activities consisted of media visit on April 7, 2017 and media thematic discussion on April 8, 2017.
For media visit, USAID IUWASH PLUS North Sumatra Region and the Component 4 team from Jakarta visited the Editorial Offices of Bisnis Indonesia and Tribun Medan. The visit to each media office discussed the role of the media in policy advocacy in water supply and sanitation sectors, as well as exploring the need for information and how to develop cooperation with the media to encourage improved services in the WASH sector.
Both media agreed that water supply and sanitation issues, particularly wastewater management is an important issue in Medan, North Sumatra. The media agreed to participate in encouraging policy change through advocacy efforts to improve water supply and sanitation services in North Sumatra. “Basically, we welcome this cooperation opportunity and we see sanitation is an important issue,” said Siti from Bisnis Indonesia.
On April 8, 2017, a media thematic discussion was held at the USAID IUWASH PLUS North Sumatra Regional office. This activity was attended by 20 journalists from 15 media outlets and the Head of Public Relations division of North Sumatra Provincial Government. This discussion was aimed at exchanging information, sharing experiences and lesson learned on improving access to water, sanitation and hygiene issues. The media and USAID IUWASH PLUS agreed to push for a framework of cooperation to encourage policy change and educate the public on water supply and sanitation issues, and encourage hygiene behavior in North Sumatra. “The WASH issue is important for media advocacy and we are from media are ready to work with USAID IUWASH PLUS to advocate this issue,” said Fachrudin, Chairman of Working Group on PDAM Media and also journalist of Sumut Pos. As a first step, the media and USAID IUWASH PLUS will create an information exchange group – WASH Plus Journalist Network (JUWASH PLUS).
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