Dear GKD Members, I am writing to share with you the exciting news about our Digital Broadcast Initiative Project Launch in Nepal.
We are working in Nepal as part of a regional initiative in partnership with the UNDP - The Digital Broadcast Initiative (DBI). This innovative initiative pilots the use of leading edge digital satellite technology as a means to deliver vital development information to poor and marginalized communities. Our vision is: "A World in Dialogue Where All Voices Are Heard and Respected". This project supports development in the lives of individuals and communities through the creation and broadcast of a locally produced radio serial drama and a unique magazine program format addressing HIV/AIDS Prevention, Women's and Girls' Empowerment and related topics. To maximize learning, 400 communities are gathering weekly to listen to the programs and hold active discussion groups following the broadcasts. In addition, the programs are being re-broadcast through ten community radio stations and Radio Nepal providing an audience reach of up to nine million. We will soon feature new content in Early Childhood Development and pilot women's multimedia resource centers. We commenced our 18 month pilot project in Nepal on April 14, 2003 with the first broadcast of our flagship radio drama to satellite receivers in 400 rural communities in 14 districts. Since then, the number of districts receiving broadcasts has increased dramatically. The project was formally launched in Kathmandu, June 24, 2003 by UNDP Resident Representative, Mr. Henning Karcher. Nepal is the first country to become operational as part of the regional initiative - India, Laos and another South East Asian Country will follow. The June 24th formal Launch of this initiative was an opportunity to learn more about the project design, technology, and most importantly hear from the local partners who are making it all happen. The Launch went very well, garnering positive press in an article in the Kathmandu Post, as well as in local television news coverage and in business news coverage. Below I am including a copy of the Kathmandu Post article regarding the launch. Please let me know if you have any questions regarding the launch and/or the project or if you seek any further materials regarding the organization and/or the launch. Our website, which is currently in the process off being revamped, is located at <http://www.equalaccess.org> Best wishes Shivani Shivani Khanna Program Coordinator Equal Access [EMAIL PROTECTED] 415-561-4884x104 *************************************************** UNDP launches Digital Broadcast Initiative Post Report KATHMANDU, June 24 : In its bid to deliver vital development information to poor and marginalised communities, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in partnership with Equal Access, a California-based international non-governmental organisation, formally launched Digital Broadcast Initiative (DBI) at a programme here today. Nepal is the first country in Asia to become a part of Equal Access Asia Development Channel operations. According to circulars distributed at a press meet at the end of the launching programme, the DPI will air programmes on HIV/AIDs, women empowerment, good governance, water and sanitation, early childhood, sustainable livelihood and micro-enterprise and other development-related issues to an estimated 9 million audience. In the initial phase, programmes on HIV/AIDS and gender issues will be aired. 400 digital radio sets have been distributed to 400 rural communities for the purpose. Radio Nepal and its five regional stations, as well as 10 FM stations will also rebroadcast the programmes aired by the DBI, in the 18-month pilot project intended to empower women and girls in poor communities to address HIV/AIDS and development needs. Besides, the satellite-based channel broadcasts will provide locally produced and culturally appropriate development information. Formally launching the DBI today, Dr. Henning Karcher, UNDP Resident Representative, underlined the importance of information to address the menace of HIV/AIDS, and to empower and improve the condition of marginalised people. "Access to information is the key to empowerment and empowerment leads people to make informed choices to improve their conditions. Information Technology is a major gateway to information and knowledge. It provides revolutionary avenues to facilitate access to information and services and also to support programmes aimed at human development," said Dr. Karcher. Speaking at the programme the Executive Director of Equal Access expressed that the project would address risky behaviors related to HIV/AIDS, poverty and socio-economic factors like women, micro-finance, reproductive health and early childhood development. Benjamin Brown, Regional Project Manager of the Project based in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, opined that the initiatives became successful due to the joint efforts of UNDP and other partners in Nepal. The media format currently is audio, while multimedia content is being developed and will shortly be piloted to support and complement the issue raised by the audio programmes, according to the circular. UNFPA, UNICEF and UNDP/ Nepal Programme, CARE/Nepal, the Early Childhood Development Division of the World Bank and the USAID are supporting the 500 thousand US dollar project. ------------ ***GKD is solely supported by EDC, a Non-Profit Organization*** To post a message, send it to: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To subscribe or unsubscribe, send a message to: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>. In the 1st line of the message type: subscribe gkd OR type: unsubscribe gkd Archives of previous GKD messages can be found at: <http://www.edc.org/GLG/gkd/>
