Pulitzer Center Update August 4, 2026
African Environmental Journalist Shows How Pulitzer Center Partnership Inspires Change
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This project looks at the impact of deforestation on Indigenous peoples, from their living...
Our work at the Pulitzer Center under the International Education and Outreach (IEO) Program focuses on how journalism can inspire dialogue and have meaningful impact. Through a series of coordinated initiatives in the Central African Republic, we engage with media professionals, young leaders, journalism students, Indigenous peoples, civil society organizations, radio initiatives, public authorities, and more.
This has been possible through sustained efforts with some longtime partners, including Colibri Multi-Services (COMUS) and its regional network of partners, such as Action Média et Développement (AMD), with whom the Pulitzer Center has been organizing community engagement activities that explore climate environmental protection and rainforest and natural resource governance.
From stories to real impact
In December 2023, Destin Debonheur Wilikon—a third-year student in the Department of Information and Communication Sciences at the University of Bangui in the Central African Republic—participated in a youth discussion.
The discussion focused on the theme "The Role of Central African Youth in the Fight Against Deforestation: Acting With and for Indigenous Peoples." It was inspired by the Pulitzer Center-supported story "L’impact de la déforestation sur les peuples autochtones du Congo, Cameroun et Centrafrique" ("The Impact of Deforestation on Indigenous Peoples in the Congo, Cameroon, and the Central African Republic"), written by Rosie Pioth. The discussion was organized by AMD and COMUS.
Research by Wilikon arose from his participation in this session. He chose to focus his dissertation on the role of the media in the fight against climate change in the Central African Republic. For him, it was no longer just an academic subject, but a true civic engagement.
The event was a meetup with young professionals supported by the Pulitzer Center as part of its Africa Outreach program The Congo Basin Talks with Young Professionals. The project aimed to raise awareness among young leaders and media professionals on Congo Basin rainforests through environmental journalism.
Now, three years later, Wilikon works as a journalist and producer of an environmental magazine at Radio Ndeke Luka, one of the most listened-to radio stations in the Central African Republic, supported by the Hirondelle Foundation. Through his programs, he addresses topics such as deforestation, waste management, and adaptation to climate change. He amplifies the voice of both experts and affected communities. His goal is clear: to make environmental information accessible, understandable, and empowering.
“This meetup was a true turning point in my life. I used to consider journalism as just a job of providing information. After this workshop, I understood that we could also be agents of change. Today, through my programs, I help raise awareness among communities about environmental issues. It is a responsibility I take on with pride,” declared Wilikon. He calls on all young people in the country to embrace initiatives related to environmental protection.
In February 2026, Wilikon participated again in a Pulitzer Center-supported dialogue on rainforest and mining governance organized by COMUS and AMD and supported by the Pulitzer Center as part of the #DACLimat2026 forest governance campaign.
As a result of this participation, he produced a radio program focused on governance challenges in the mining sector in the Central African Republic, highlighting challenges questioning the effectiveness of decision-makers.
A few days after the broadcast of the radio program, Rufin Benam Beltoungou, the minister of Mines and Geology, inspected mining activities in Koundé. Beltoungou emphasized that the country's resources must contribute to improving the living conditions of the population.
"The mineral wealth of the Central African Republic must benefit the Central African people. Any exploitation outside the legal framework constitutes a direct attack on the interests of the government," he said.
The ministry followed up on the recommendations that emerged from the dialogue and were relayed by the radio program, demonstrating that the concerns expressed by civil society actors and the media were being addressed.
Facilitating collaborations that catalyze change
Since that session in 2023, the partnership between COMUS and AMD has grown and strengthened. Every year, the two organizations collaborate on awareness-raising activities on various topics related to environmental protection and climate change.
“The exchange session organized in 2023, which brought together young people and journalists alongside other stakeholders as part of our environmental awareness activities, was a pivotal moment. It wasn't a traditional training session, but rather a space for dialogue and reflection on the role of the media and every citizen, especially young people, in addressing climate challenges and the need to protect our forests" said COMUS CEO Pascal Chirhalwirwa. "As campaign coordinators, our mission was to ensure follow-up, encourage engagement, and create an environment conducive to the production of responsible environmental content."
For AMD Coordinator Rocard Maleyo, Wilikon’s story shows that spaces for dialogue can genuinely influence young professionals, nurture their thinking, and steer their academic and professional orientation toward key issues like the environment.
“The fact that a young journalist decided to redirect the topic of his dissertation at the University of Bangui following our awareness-raising activity testifies to a concrete impact,” said Maleyo.
Maleyo further added that this shows the need to continue creating frameworks for constructive exchange in order to stimulate media engagement in environmental issues.
Pascal Chirhalwirwa emphasized how partnering with the Pulitzer Center for campaigns with a regional strategy has helped position COMUS as a major player in supporting local stakeholders in making environmental information more accessible.
Most recently, COMUS organized a dialogue within the framework of the project Dialogue and Action for Climate Campaign, #DAClimat2026, supported by the Pulitzer Center.
In the Central African Republic, the collaboration with AMD brought together journalists, young people, and decision-makers around the theme "Natural Resource Governance, the Role of the Media and Youth," with the Pulitzer Center-supported story "Gold Rush and Deforestation in the Republic of Congo: The Green Disillusionment," by Elodie Toto.
Wilikon’s story illustrates how participating in a Pulitzer Center-inspired discussion session can shape an entire career. With guidance, support, and resources, young people can become key agents of change.
