The two laureates will share the US$ 20,000 Prize, which recognizes meritorious and innovative effort to improve communication for rural communities in developing countries. It is awarded every two years following a recommendation by the Bureau of UNESCO’s International Programme for the Development of Communication (IPDC), which acts as prize jury. The IPDC Bureau will hold its 27th session at UNESCO Headquarters from 24 to 26 March.

The radio station La voz de los campesinos (The Voice of the Peasants), founded 32 years ago in the eastern state of Veracruz, was the first indigenous community radio in Mexico. The station promotes interactive radio communication with communities, encouraging them to share their history, customs and music, and helps reinforce the collective rights of the indigenous populations of Veracruz. Programmes are transmitted in three local languages in addition to Spanish. Transmission covers 400 communities, approximately 100,000 people. La voz de los campesinos is part of the Latin American Association of Radio Education (ALER) and the World Association of Community Radio Broadcasters (AMARC).

Amr Mamdouh Ellissy is Editor-in-chief of the weekly newspaper ElKhamis and Editor and Presenter of both the documentary programme Ekhterak on Egyptian State Television and Dream TV’s weekly social programme Wahed Men El-Nas (One from the Public), which informs rural populations on issues concerning them, particularly education and health. Mr Ellissy regularly contacts governmental authorities and civil society organizations seeking joint solutions to rural social problems. He also raises funds and conducts public campaigns through his television programmes to help rural communities.

The award ceremony will take place on Wednesday 24 March at 5 p.m. at UNESCO Headquarters in Paris.