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By Dave Wanless, WACC-Africa president
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The Executive committee of WACC Africa Region (WACC-AR) hosted a leadership training and information sharing consultation in Lome, Togo just before Easter. The theme of the seminar was WACC’s Vision Statement: “Communication for All” and focussed on media communities under threat in several African states.
As part of WACC’s ongoing training for leadership, and in preparation for the seminar, Willie Grieve of the Craighead Institute led the Executive Committee members for a day in examing the nature of leadership, how it differs from management and the effectiveness of governance structures. |
| Willie Grieve, Craighead Institute |
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Later, Grieve also guided the feedback sessions from the Anglo- and Franco-phone groups, which highlighted WACC-AR’s need to strengthen members' voices in the public sphere, the need to increase regional capacity and to share skills that members have.
After the training, Grieve assisted the Executive Committee in its strategic planning for the years ahead. Priorities were identified and narrowed down to what is ‘do-able’ in the immediate future. These priorities were then assigned to members of the Executive to carry out.
30 delegates attended the seminar. Among those addressing the seminar were Amevi Diabla of the West African Network for Peacebuilding in Togo; Constant Gnakadja of WANEP Benin, Lekan Otofundunrin of Journalists for Christ in Nigeria; WACC-AR Treasurer Andrew Chisamba of Malawi, WACC-AR President Rev. Dave Wanless of South Africa.
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Participants at the WACC-Africa seminar in Lome, Togo
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In a communiqué drafted after the meeting had ended, the participants said:
We have shared on a wide variety of issues and concerns and have observed the communication trends in the continent. We have taken note of the numerous encouraging developments in communication and, in particular, the exponential growth of ICTs especially cell phones, community radio, the internet and other new media. The meeting appreciated the potential of the new media to build solidarity, for promoting communication rights and human dignity, especially among dispossessed, marginalized and vulnerable groups in the continent. We had opportunity to reflect on case studies of communication by vulnerable groups; and to discuss the different roles of communicators. Among others, we
- Observed that the growth of information and communication technology in Africa has however not been without challenges;
- Lamented that media standards are declining and in particularly with regard to online information, due to proliferation of ‘citizen journalists’ (ordinary and untrained people using the new media to send information and messages to the public), who are not well versed in media ethics and standards;
- As communicators, we must remain vigilant to ensure that no restrictive laws are passed unless they are for the public good and that promote rather than curtail the right to communication.
- Expressed unwavering support for Radio Shalom a community Radio by the National Council of Churches of Sierra Leone for peace in Sierra Leone with a promise to amplify their voices and their request for financial support in aid. Learn more about the project and Donate today at: www.globalgiving.org/projects/build-a-radio-station-for-peace-in-sierra-leone/
A follow-up training and evaluation meeting is planned for Johannesburg, South Africa in November. |
