http://pcdd.org

To create a cadre of young journalists ready to become independent investigative journalists in a context where media is highly politicized and focused on daily news rather than rigorous analysis of societal issues.

To provide these students with the advocacy tools and skills required in order to seek policy change with decision makers and advocate for the implementation of access to information law.

PCDD places its focus on working primarily with young women and youth, who are typically marginalized from the decision making process in Lebanon.

By training young journalists on the importance of Access to Information law for the purposes of enabling investigative journalism. This took shape in the "Youth Pioneers for Access to Information" project.

Our approach, funded by NED, targeted 24 youth currently studying journalism at Lebanese University (LU), al-Arabia University (AU) and Lebanese International University (LIU) and provided them with advocacy training and an in-depth understanding of the importance of Access to Information legislative reform.

PCDD oered formal guidance however the participants themselves took control of the subsequent activities and designed them as they saw fit, using their initiative and the skills they gained through the earlier sessions. This initiative included the following:

1. A briefing on Access to Information issues and draft legislation, investigativen journalism skills and advocacy tactics 2. Practical exercise with the participants on how to raise public awareness of Access to Information issues and coverage of 8 issues aecting their communities (at the village and town level) through investigative journalism 3. Social media training to use for advocacy including posting videos to blogs, crafting coherent media messages and use of social media tools such as Facebook, Twitter etc. to engage with target audiences and supporters 4. Youth engagement with key stakeholders in the media and parliament to advocate for law reform with regards to Access to Information legislation in Lebanon 5. Roundtables with briefings by students on Access to Information and the proposed draft law in addition to gathering signatures for a law reform petition and showcasing the impacts they have investigated on what restrictions to information have on local communities 6. Screening of film produced by participants and forum where they presented their experiences to Lebanese journalists, members of parliament and other prominent figures

1. Extensive media coverage including design and participation by youth in a 3-hour national TV program on Tele Liban in addition to active social media involvement with online campaign co-designed by participants and PCDD.

2. An outcome of 8 dedicated young women forming a core group who are actively facilitating Phase Two of the project and maintaining ongoing commitment and support to the initiative