First Community Multimedia Centres in Mozambique
25-07-2002 ()
- UNESCO is assisting Mozambique’s first two pilot telecentres - in Manhiça and Namaacha - to become fully-fledged multimedia centres with the addition of community radio that will enable them to extend their activities. The two centres funded mainly by the IDRC, with UNESCO, opened their doors in August 1999.
Existing pilot community multimedia centres, such as Kothmale in Sri Lanka, demonstrate that the combination of radio and telecentre facilities greatly enhances the impact and outreach needed for such community structures to reach their developmental and anti-poverty goals. In Mozambique, a technical survey has already been conducted at the two sites and the equipment chosen is the Wantok “suitcase radio”, a portable FM radio station.
The evolution of the telecentres into community multimedia centres should help to consolidate their place and role as information, communication, cultural and entertainment facilities for their communities. Community broadcasting can raise awareness of the importance of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) and increase the interactive use of the IT facilities at the centre.
Mozambique is one of the poorest countries in the world and 70% of its population is estimated to be living in absolute poverty. One of the key components of the fight to eradicate poverty is the development of human resources, which means above all providing access to information and education.
The Community Multimedia Centre, integrating traditional forms of access with new technologies, offers an innovative approach to the challenges of providing access and creating local content.
The evolution of the telecentres into community multimedia centres should help to consolidate their place and role as information, communication, cultural and entertainment facilities for their communities. Community broadcasting can raise awareness of the importance of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) and increase the interactive use of the IT facilities at the centre.
Mozambique is one of the poorest countries in the world and 70% of its population is estimated to be living in absolute poverty. One of the key components of the fight to eradicate poverty is the development of human resources, which means above all providing access to information and education.
The Community Multimedia Centre, integrating traditional forms of access with new technologies, offers an innovative approach to the challenges of providing access and creating local content.
Related themes/countries
· 2002
· Mozambique: News Archives 2002
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