RTN will take part at panel discussion during UNESCO workshop on the “role of ICT to empower community radios in Rwanda”. The two days workshop is being organized by UNESCO and would take place in Kigali from 14th to 15th October 2015.
The workshop is being organized at part of a 3 years project to be implemented jointly by UNESCO and SIDA targeting 4 community radios in Rwanda. The projects entitled “Empowering local radios with ICTs” involves supporting 4 community radio stations located in Rwanda. The radio stations are: Radio Izuba, Radio Huguka , Radio Ishingiro and Radio Isangano 89.4 FM .
The project intends to increase the quality of local radio programming and broadcasting by fully integrating the use of ICTs, strengthening local reporting on development issues and engaging poor people’s participation in debates related to their livelihood and development.
Community radios in Rwanda play a particularly important role in disseminating information. They have been very instrumental in creating awareness about social, economic and political issues that affect the very fabric of society, especially within the local community. Through community radios, community members have been voicing their concerns and receive information that concerns them directly
Based on their central role in development, there is constant need to improve the capacity of local community radios, to enhance their operations and quality of service delivery.