DOT-COMments: Using Radio and IT to Build Community in Africa

Using Radio and IT to Build Community in Africa

On January 17, 2003, dot-EDU hosted a group of visiting radio journalists from Africa for a day-long workshop on "Building a Sense of Community in African Countries through Radio and Information Technology (IT)."

The workshop was requested by the U.S. State Department and African American Institute who were sponsoring and organizing a U.S. tour for 10 radio journalists from Cameroon, Ghana, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, Niger, Nigeria, Rwanda and Zambia. The workshop was held at the Academy for Educational Development (AED), core partner to the Education Development Center (EDC) in the implementation of dot-EDU.

During the workshop, professionals from EDC and AED made presentations, entertained questions, and encouraged discussion about Interactive Radio Instruction, Community Radio, IT and Education, IT and Democracy, and IT and Civil Society. Throughout the workshop the group discussed how journalists help build community through their efforts, and how they might exploit new and emerging technologies.

Workshop participants also were given guided tours and demonstrations of web sites and IT products produced with USAID assistance in Guatemala, Uganda, and other countries. The workshop concluded with brainstorming and discussion about the emerging role of IT in Africa and how radio continues to be a vital medium for communication, entertainment, and education on the continent. Much discussion revolved around how the merger of IT and radio might play out in Africa's future.

This activity was funded under the dot-EDU Leader Award No: GDG-A-00-01-00011-00.

For More Information, Contact:
Kit Yasin
Director, Education Development Center
Tel: (202) 572-3700
Email:

Related Resource Partners

Education Development Center (EDC)


Core funding for the DOT-COM Alliance is provided by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), Bureau for Economic Growth, Agriculture & Trade, Office of Infrastructure and Engineering (EGAT/OI&E), Office of Education (EGAT/ED), and Office of Women in Development (EGAT/WID), under the terms of Award numbers: GDG-A-00-01-00009-00, dot-GOV; GDG-A-00-01-00014-00, dot-ORG; GDG-A-00-01-00011-00, dot-EDU.
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