The First Scale-up CMC Gets off the Ground in Mozambique
13-05-2005 (Paris)
The first Community Multimedia Centre (CMC) in Mozambique to be opened as part of UNESCO’s multi-country scale up initiative was inaugurated on 9 May in Xinavane. The ribbon was cut by Mozambique’s Minister of Science and Technology, Venancio Massingue.
Mr Massingue was watched by the Governor of Maputo Province, the UNESCO representative, numerous representatives of local community organisations, schools and traditional authorities, as well as guests from district and national level institutions and external partners.
Xinavane Administrative Post, where the new CMC is located, is a small locality in Manhiça district, Maputo Province, around 100 kms from Maputo in the south of the country. This CMC represents a number of “firsts” for Mozambique: it is the first at this level rather than district capital level; it is the first to be developed in partnership with the private sector – the local sugar company has provided installations, carried out the necessary works and will supply electricity; and it is the first experiment in establishing a small CMC not far from an existing one at district level, which will be able to give support and advice.
At local level the CMC is under the leadership of a group of organisations that came together for the purpose, but primary responsibility lies with AJUCOM, the Youth Association for Community Development in Mozambique.
The CMC initiative, which is partnered by Swiss Development Cooperation, aims to move beyond isolated pilot projects and lay the basis for national networks of community-based centres that place the tools of information and communication technologies in the hands of the rural population. The CMC concept brings together radio and telecentre under one roof, to create an information chain and other services that meet local needs and bring development benefits. Mozambique was one of three African countries selected to implement the first phase, along with Mali and Senegal, and is the first to get off the ground.
On the great day in Xinavane the population turned out in force. Word had already spread that their own radio and CMC was about to open, and expectations were high. Song and dance added to the festive atmosphere, and the CMC was blessed in a traditional ceremony conducted by an elder.
Xinavane Administrative Post, where the new CMC is located, is a small locality in Manhiça district, Maputo Province, around 100 kms from Maputo in the south of the country. This CMC represents a number of “firsts” for Mozambique: it is the first at this level rather than district capital level; it is the first to be developed in partnership with the private sector – the local sugar company has provided installations, carried out the necessary works and will supply electricity; and it is the first experiment in establishing a small CMC not far from an existing one at district level, which will be able to give support and advice.
At local level the CMC is under the leadership of a group of organisations that came together for the purpose, but primary responsibility lies with AJUCOM, the Youth Association for Community Development in Mozambique.
The CMC initiative, which is partnered by Swiss Development Cooperation, aims to move beyond isolated pilot projects and lay the basis for national networks of community-based centres that place the tools of information and communication technologies in the hands of the rural population. The CMC concept brings together radio and telecentre under one roof, to create an information chain and other services that meet local needs and bring development benefits. Mozambique was one of three African countries selected to implement the first phase, along with Mali and Senegal, and is the first to get off the ground.
On the great day in Xinavane the population turned out in force. Word had already spread that their own radio and CMC was about to open, and expectations were high. Song and dance added to the festive atmosphere, and the CMC was blessed in a traditional ceremony conducted by an elder.
Related themes/countries
· News Archives 2005
· Mozambique: News Archives 2005
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