UNESCO Kingston Launches Community Multimedia Centre Project
25-11-2002 ()
Radio Toco in Trinidad & Tobago
© UNESCO
Integrating traditional and new communication and information technologies for development is the aim of a Caribbean regional project that UNESCO recently launched in Kingston, Jamaica. The new initiative has the objective of making information and knowledge sources more accessible to selected marginalized communities in urban, rural and remote areas through the provision of ICTs including ICT training.
Jocelyn Josiah, UNESCO Kingston Office says " With an emphasis on knowledge acquisition and exposure to new communication tools, it is hoped that individuals will become more active producers in society, particularly in terms of local media content". She adds "It is also hoped that a new awareness will be fostered and freedom of expression is encouraged. In addition, individuals will be empowered to become more proactive in forging their own development and the development of their communities."
The project is intended to transform existing community radio stations into community multimedia centres, complete with added facilities such as, a PC and a combination of fax, telephone, e-mail and Internet services for public access. A sustainable core regional network via the Internet is also foreseen.
Initial participating stations include Roots FM in partnership with Zink Link Internet Café (Jamaica), Radio Toco, (Trinidad & Tobago), Radio Cocodrilo, (Cuba) and Radio GED (Barbados Community College). The network will be expanded to include other regional community radio stations at a later phase.
Each station will provide the necessary space to accommodate this activity, as well as, local institutional support. The project will afford these reformed entities, digital broadcasting upgrading, computer hardware and software and staff training in specialized multimedia applications and basic information management. Website upgrades will be provided for each with the network hub based at Radio Toco and the training hub at Radio GED.
VILCOMM Services Limited, a Jamaican multimedia company specializing in new media products and services, will coordinate this project, under the leadership of its Executive Director, Vilma Gregory.
The overall project, which is being funded by the Government of Switzerland, is expected to be completed by December 2003.
The project is intended to transform existing community radio stations into community multimedia centres, complete with added facilities such as, a PC and a combination of fax, telephone, e-mail and Internet services for public access. A sustainable core regional network via the Internet is also foreseen.
Initial participating stations include Roots FM in partnership with Zink Link Internet Café (Jamaica), Radio Toco, (Trinidad & Tobago), Radio Cocodrilo, (Cuba) and Radio GED (Barbados Community College). The network will be expanded to include other regional community radio stations at a later phase.
Each station will provide the necessary space to accommodate this activity, as well as, local institutional support. The project will afford these reformed entities, digital broadcasting upgrading, computer hardware and software and staff training in specialized multimedia applications and basic information management. Website upgrades will be provided for each with the network hub based at Radio Toco and the training hub at Radio GED.
VILCOMM Services Limited, a Jamaican multimedia company specializing in new media products and services, will coordinate this project, under the leadership of its Executive Director, Vilma Gregory.
The overall project, which is being funded by the Government of Switzerland, is expected to be completed by December 2003.
Related themes/countries
· 2002
· Jamaica: News Archive 2002
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