[WSIS CS-Plenary] Bangladesh Pre Consultation on 2nd World Association of Community Radio Broadcasters (AMARC) Asia Pacific Conference

[AHM Bazlur Rahman]

Concept note:

Bangladesh Pre Consultation on 2nd World Association of Community Radio Broadcasters (AMARC) Asia Pacific Conference:

The Progress of Community Radio in Bangladesh

13 February, 2010 Dhaka Bangladesh

 



Introduction: The 2nd World Association of Community Radio Broadcasters - Asia Pacific (AMARC-AP) Conference: Community radio for Sustainable Development and Good Governance will bring together community radio broadcasters, activists, academics, policy makers, and representatives of the donor community and governments to review the development of the community broadcasting in the Asia Pacific region in the last 4 years. 

 

It will take a careful look at thematic areas of development such as the empowerment of women within the CR sector, the role of community broadcasting in peace building, it's role in the face of global climate change and at times of natural disasters as well as for poverty eradication. The regional conference will address practical issues such as capacity building in areas of management, technology, community participation, monitoring and evaluation, media convergence, and networking and the conference will recommend steps that will ensure the way forward for the CR sector in the region.

 

Bangladesh government approved 'the Community Radio Broadcasting, Installation and Operation Policy 2008'. The present government has showed keen interest on CR in their election manifesto (19.1) which is titled, 'Charter for Change'. Followed by this commitment pro-active initiatives have been taken by the concern ministry as well. A baseline study has done by Bangladesh NGOs Network for Radio and Communication (BNNRC) consequently in ten districts. Ministry of Information and UNICEF-Bangladesh have jointly agreed to conduct a study to develop a comprehensive community radio strategy and its action plan. In accordance, the Ministry of Information has received clearances for 27 CR applicants and the rest are under consideration. 

 

The Poverty Reduction Strategy (PRS-2) also emphasized CR as a tool for development. A series of activities are going on for operating community radio in the country. Community Radio Academy has started with a vision to build capacity, research and development, and technical cooperation of this sector.

 

Honorable Secretary for Ministry of Information Dr. Kamal Abdul Naser Chowdhury has kindly consented to be present as Chief Guest in the Pre Consultation. 

 

The Pre Consultation will be organized by Bangladesh NGOs Network for Radio and Communication (BNNRC) with support from UNICEF Bangladesh. 

 

Honorable Chairman, Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) will be invited to be the chief guest in the closing session of the pre-consultation.

 

Purpose: The overall theme of the Bangladesh Pre Consultation will be the progress of community radio in Bangladesh. There are both challenges and opportunities to establish community radio in Bangladesh. Lots of initiatives are under processing and hopes are there to have community broadcasting soon. 

 

This consultation will create an enabling environment for initiators, advocates, academicians, practitioners, development partners and researchers to interact with policy makers and implementers. This intended coalition will generate idea and working partnership for better and effective community broadcasting system in the country. Broadly MDG and our own development roadmap will be focused as well to address in the said broadcasting system.   

 

Main issues for discussion and method: A paper will be presented on 'The progress of Community Radio in Bangladesh: Challenges and Opportunities', which cover the present situation, status, obstacles, preparation and other practical issues related to CR. In line with MDG and PRS-2 the community radios have role to play for fostering development. There are technical and operational matters to be addressed. This paper will consider these with due concentration. Followed by a short discussion the present session will end. After that four thematic groups will work on the following themes;

 

Group#1: CR station Management

Group#2: CR Broadcasting Technology

Group#3: Community Participation in CR

Group#1: Monitoring and Evaluation Framework

 

The output of the pre-consultation will be included in the booklet published for the Bangladesh delegates in the 2nd World Association of Community Radio Broadcasters (AMARC) Asia Pacific Conference, Bangalore, India (20-23, February, 2010)

 

Consultation format (tentative):

 

10:00-Registration, 10:30-Presentation, 'the progress of Community Radio in Bangladesh: Challenges and Opportunities', 10:50- Discussion, 11: 05-        Tea break, 11:30- Group discussion, 12:00- Group presentation, 01:00- Closing                       

 

Participation:

Distinguished Member of Parliament (MP), Policy-Makers and Representatives from Government, Community Radio Initiator, Media, Academia, CSOs, and Corporate Sector are expected to join the Bangladesh Pre Consultation.

 

 


Bazlu
_______________________
AHM. Bazlur Rahman-S21BR
Chief Executive Officer
Bangladesh NGOs Network for Radio and Communication(BNNRC)
&
Member, Strategy Council
UN-Global Alliance for ICT and Development (UN GAID)
 
House: 13/1, Road:2, Shaymoli, Dhaka-1207 
Post Box: 5095, Dhaka 1205 Bangladesh
 
Phone: 88-02-9130750, 88-02-9138501
01711881647 Fax: 88-02-9138501-105
 
E-mail: ceo at bnnrc.net, bnnrc at bd.drik.net
www.bnnrc.net

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