Daily Times

Lahore, Pakistan – Forman Christian College University (FCCU) hosted the first-ever International Communication Association (ICA) Conference on its campus today, bringing together global leaders, scholars, and advocates in climate communication. The event marked a historic milestone as ICA partnered with FCCU, symbolizing a shared commitment to bridging academic research with public engagement in addressing pressing climate challenges.

Forman Christian College University (FCCU) has been a pioneer in education and research, fostering an inclusive and innovative environment for learning and collaboration. Hosting the ICA Conference reflects FCCU’s commitment to addressing contemporary global issues through academic and practical interventions.

The conference’s mission is to foster interdisciplinary dialogue and actionable solutions through communication research, innovation, and collaboration. This aligns seamlessly with ICA’s vision of advancing the understanding and practice of communication for global betterment.

The opening day’s sessions were packed with insightful addresses, including opening remarks from Dr. Firasat Jabeen, the Conference Chair, and a warm welcome by Dr. Jonathan S. Addleton, Rector of FCCU. Dr. Altaf Ullah Khan, Dean of Humanities, and Dr. Bushra Rahman, President of AMCAP, underscored the conference’s importance in galvanizing academic and public discourse on climate issues.

Two captivating keynote speeches by Dr. Waqas Ejaz, a Research Fellow at the Oxford Climate Journalism Network, UK, and Dr. Noshir Contractor, Professor of Behavioral Sciences and Communication at Northwestern University, USA, set the tone for a day filled with thought-provoking discussions.

The plenary session, “Activism and Academia: Bridging the Gap in Climate Research and Public Engagement,” featured a panel of distinguished experts:

Moderated by Muhammad Junaid, a renowned news anchor, the session explored the intersection of research, media, and activism in tackling climate crises.

The day also included diverse concurrent panel discussions on topics such as climate advocacy, media narratives, and digital activism. These sessions highlighted innovative research and strategies for addressing climate justice, public health, and environmental challenges in South Asia and beyond.

Panel 1: Bridging Journalism, Science, and Climate Dialogue chaired by Dr. Sohail Riaz Raja and Dr. Saba Sultana being the Moderator focused on the intersection of science communication and journalism in addressing climate change. Presenters highlighted innovative methods to bridge the gap between scientific data and public understanding. Key topics included:

Panel 2: Media Narratives and Environmental Advocacy: Communicating Climate Action and Security in South Asia chaired by Dr. Syed M. Saqib Saleem and Dr. Kiran Karamat being the Moderator examined the strategic role of media narratives in advocating for environmental action and security in South Asia. Key presentations included:

Panel 3: Visualizing Climate Change: Media Strategies, Narratives, and Frames in Digital Environmental Discourse chaired by Dr. Qurratulaen Liaqat and Dr. Ifrah Iftikhar being the Moderator explored how visual media and digital platforms influence public understanding of climate change. Presenters like Hunter Reeves and Mehraveh Taghizadehdemonstrated:

Panel 4: Bridging Gaps in Climate Communication chaired by Dr. Taimur Ul Hassan and Dr. Moneeba Iftikhar being the Moderator focused on addressing barriers to effective climate communication, this panel brought together academics and practitioners who emphasized:

Afternoon Concurrent Sessions Spotlighting Diverse Approaches to Climate Communication

Panel 5: Intersecting Narratives: Environmental Challenges and Media Representation in Pakistan chaired by Dr. Saadia Ishtiaq Nauman and Dr. Amrat Haqbeing the Moderator addressed how environmental challenges are represented in Pakistani media and the role of these narratives in shaping public understanding. Key presentations by Dr. Raana Afzal, Fatima Attique, and others delved into:

Panel 6: Public Health Communication in Pakistan: Innovative Approaches to Disease Awareness and Prevention chaired by Dr. Sayyed Fawad Ali Shah and Dr. Adeel Ahmed Amir being the Moderator played a pivotal role in this session, guiding discussions on innovative public health communication strategies that intersect with environmental concerns. Highlights included:

Panel 7: Risk Governance in Climate Crises: Policy, Practice & Public   chaired by Dr. Anam Muzamill and Dr. Qurratulann Malik being the Moderator explored governance frameworks for managing climate risks. Topics ranged from local policy interventions to global best practices. Key discussions included:

Panel 8: Digital Activism with Engagement for Climate Justice chaired by Abida Ashraf and Dr. Ayesha Sadaf being the Moderator examined how digital platforms are revolutionizing climate advocacy. Key contributions included:

Panel 15: Media, Public Perception, and Environmental Advocacy chaired by Dr. Malik Adnan and Imran Saleem being the Moderator focused on how media influences public perception of environmental issues and its role in advocacy. Key presentations by Shahla Riaz, Rahima Faisal, and others explored:

Attendees engaged in robust dialogue, cementing FCCU’s reputation as a hub for academic excellence and societal impact. Day 1 concluded with networking opportunities and tea, fostering collaboration among participants.

The ICA Conference will continue tomorrow with additional plenary sessions, poster presentations, and the much-anticipated keynote speech by Dr. Marwan M. Kraidy, a global expert on communication in media, politics, and culture.