Voice of Nature (VoNat)’s Communications Officer, Jabi Katy, has gained new knowledge and experience in environmental storytelling that will help her unearth untold environmental stories in Cameroon. This was during a week-long Nature Environment and Wildlife Filmmakers (NEWF) Fellows Summit and Congress that took place in Durban, South Africa, from March 31 to April 4, 2025.
The Summit and Congress brought together a dynamic community of environmental filmmakers, storytellers, researchers and scientists, journalists, and conservationists from across the globe. The annual programme is designed to provide African storytellers with training, mentorship, connections, and access to advance their skills and careers.
This was a unique opportunity for Jabi to build new connections and expand her networks for future collaboration, while gaining new skills and experience. “It was inspiring spending about a week with creative scientists, who truly care about the environment, with everyone seeking innovative ways to protect it. As someone who has struggled with how to structure a good story, it was such a delight learning about character and sequence development, producing, pitching, and so many other things,” Jabi Katy said.
According to her, the highlight of the Summit was learning the art of science communication and how to frame messages for your target audience. She promised to use the knowledge acquired to produce more impactful and relatable stories.
VoNat views Jabi’s participation as a valuable contribution to its Environmental Journalism and storytelling programme, which seeks to increase awareness about environmental issues while promoting sustainable and responsible natural resource management in Cameroon.
Jabi joined the NEWF network in 2023 through the CAMIFF Producers lab and described the 2025 summit as a leveler in her journey as an environmental communicator and storyteller.
By Ndimuh B. Shancho