The Drum Beat 23 - Communication and Change News and Issues

PROGRAMMES


1. Local Radio Network - Indonesia - consisting of 25 stations, this project aims at strengthening democracy and good governance in Indonesia through radio. All stations are connected and exchanging local news via group e-mail. Supported by the Danish Government and UNESCO, the project provides stations with equipment for field recording, computers, and internet connectivity. Website.
Contact Ade Grande [email protected]


2. Study on Transmission of HIV Through Breastfeeding - Zimbabwe - undertaken by the ZVITAMBO project, this study includes developing an intervention to educate and counsel African women about HIV and breastfeeding, monitoring the impact of the intervention on at least 5000 both HIV-positive and -negative mothers, and disseminating results with guidance provided to the Government of Zimbabwe. Contact Jean Humphrey [email protected]


3. BiH Association of Electronic Media - Bosnia-Herzegovina - was formed by Internews Sarajevo in Apr. 1999. 84 broadcast media representatives have joined, including 21 from Serb-controlled Republika Srpska. Participants have made plans to establish and coordinate uniform technical standards for all broadcasters, advocate for fair broadcast media laws, represent and protect the interests of its members to national and international bodies, and improve production, programming, and broadcasting conditions for its members. Contact Meg Gaydosik [email protected]


4. Threshold 21 - Global - jointly initiated by the Millennium Institute, UNDP and the Malawi government to assess goals in Malawi, T21 is a computer-based sustainable development analysis tool, enabling users to evaluate alternative national strategies in an integrated fashion by linking a country's environmental, economic and social sectors in a single, customized model. The long-term impacts of alternative strategies are compared, and the most sustainable of the available options are identified. Contact Brian Stranko [email protected]


5. Radio Serial Dramas - Nigeria - The African Radio Drama Association has launched two 15-minute radio serials geared towards spreading democracy and governance messages. 'Rainbow City', in Pidgin English, weaves concepts of scrutiny, transparency, leadership, civic rights and responsibility, patriotism and respect for the rule of law into intrigue, suspense and drama. 'Asuba ta Gari', a Hausa version, focuses on the rights of women and children living under Muslim laws in Northern Nigeria. Contact Femi Jarrett or Data Phido, c/o Aida Opoku-Mensah [email protected]


6. Global Business Council on HIV/AIDS Awards 1999 - Global - will give international recognition to the contribution made by businesses to the fight against HIV/AIDS and will attempt to promote these models as good practice. Awards given in the private sector only. Deadline: 6 Sept. 1999. Website. Contact Chris Green [email protected]


COMMUNICATION TRENDS


7. "Africa may be a late starter on the Internet but it is currently undergoing a rapid transformation, outpacing the global average for growth in number of host systems....From July 1998 to January 1999, the number of Internet hosts grew at a rate of 38 percent...while the worldwide average growth rate stood at 18 percent....One factor driving the growth is the assistance provided by various foreign organizations....Continent-wide, northern and southern Africa are leading the west and east in terms of Internet development; central Africa...is grossly lagging behind." Source: The Industry Standard, June 18, 1999 


IMPACT DATA


8. "New Home, New Life" is a BBC World Service Afghan Drama that addresses a number of issues, including the danger of mines. A new evaluation by an independent consultant has found that listeners are half as likely to be mine victims as non-listeners and that there has been a steady decline in death and injury from mines since 1993, especially since the BBC broadcasts started in 1994. "New Home, New Life" promotes discussion and public dialogue: 'We hear the drama in the evening and in the morning we get together around the mosque and start talking about the episode' [45 year old farmer]. The evaluation sampled 57,287 people from all over Afghanistan. Source: CIET International, Nov 1998, The National Mine Awareness Evaluation. Available from UNDP/UNOCHA, H292, Street 55, F-10/4, Islamabad, Pakistan.


WEB SITES


9. The Manifesto 2000 for a Culture of Peace and Non-Violence was made public in Paris in Mar. 1999, and is open to signatures from the public throughout the world. See website.


10. The Media Project is a collaborative effort between Advocates for Youth and the Kaiser Family Foundation working with entertainment industry professionals to ensure that they are presenting the most up-to-date, socially relevant, and accurate information about sexual health issues to the public. Click here for website.


11. "The Observatory on the Information Society" aims 'to raise awareness on the ethical, legal, and societal challenges brought about by new [information and communication] technologies.' The site collects and disseminates current information focusing on Privacy and Confidentiality, Content Regulation, Multilingualism, and Access to Public Domain Information. Click here for website.


GATHERINGS


12. "Converging Responsibility: Broadcasting & the Internet in Developing Countries", the International Institute of Communication (IIC)'s Pre-Conference will be 4-6 Sept. 1999 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. This pre-conference will examine the use of the Internet by independent, community and public service broadcasters for networking, news and information exchange, research, and community development projects. Website. Contact Bruce Girard [email protected]


13. "Radiocracy: Radio, Democracy and Development", to be held 26-28 Nov. 1999, will investigate academic, policy and production issues of radio use. Intended to promote the study of radio, especially where it is used for democratic purposes in development and marginal contexts, it will also consider anti-democratic uses of radio in zones of conflict. Website.
Contact Dr Jo Tacchi [email protected]


14. The AF-AIDS Regional Email Discussion Forum is joining forces with the 11th International Conference on AIDS and STDs in Africa (ICASA), to be held in Lusaka, Zambia 12 - 16th Sept. 1999. This pre-conference discussion is aimed at providing an opportunity for many more voices to be brought into the regional agenda and discussions on the response to HIV/AIDS. Website. Contact [email protected]


MATERIALS


15. Nigeria Media Monitor is a weekly internet publication of the Independent Journalism Centre (IJC) which seeks to publicise and support the causes of freedom of expression, democracy, and human rights. Contact Akin Akingbulu [email protected]


16. "Sub-Committee on Nutrition News" aims to 'provide information on issues of importance in the field of international nutrition.' This review is published bi-annually by the Secretariat of the UN ACC Sub-Committee on Nutrition. Includes a review of current agency programming, new publications and workshop announcements. Contact Richard Jolly [email protected]


17. Call for Information - Creative Exchange is compiling a report outlining the creative activities which are a part of the humanitarian effort in the Balkans. These range from radio and arts therapy initiatives in the region, to arts and theatre work with refugees in host countries in northern Europe. Contact Helen Gould [email protected]


PEOPLE


18. James Deane has been apppointed the new Executive Director of Panos London. He succeeds Nigel Cross who has been appointed the Executive Director of International Institute for Environment and Development. 


19. Africa Alive!, an initiative to improve reproductive health and reduce the spread of HIV/AIDS amongst youth in Africa, is seeking a Project Director. Responsibilities include coordinating activities, fund-raising, and management and administration of the regional office. Will be stationed in Kampala, Uganda with extensive travel in the region. Contact [email protected] OR [email protected]


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Thanks to all for their involvement and support. Please send items for The Drum Beat to the Editor - Deborah Heimann [email protected]