Communication programme to strengthen the process of integration of "MERCOSUR".

Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Ecuador, Paraguay, Uruguay

Approval date

1993 - 1998

Total budget $

30,000

Budget code

PDC/14 RLA/03 352 RLA 43

Source

IPDC

Objectives

Formulate a sub-regional communication programme to promote the process of socio-cultural integration in the member countries of MERCOSUR. Foster the formation of a culture of integration through the use of public and private mass communication media and the production of educational and cultural programs.

Activities

1. Training workshop prior to the production of radio programmes has been carried out with the attendance of 11 Latin American participants. 2. A quantitative research to up-to-date inventory of the existing infrastructure of the communication media has being carried out. 3. A study to compile the most relevant experiences in favour of the integration process in the subregion has being carried out. 4. Publish and distribute the study among specialized institutions and communication media linked to the integration of the MERCOSUR members' countries. 5. A serial of micro-radio programmes to strengthen the integration process in MERCOSUR has been produced.

Funds obligated

27,000

90 % o The study on the MERCOSUR integration is ready to be published.

Project officers

Alfonzo and Gonzalez

Communication for development and cultural, scientific and educational integration.

Bolivia, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Panama, Peru and Venezuela

Approval date

1993 - 1996

Total budget $

29,000

Budget code

PDC/14 RLA/05 352 RLA 44

Source

IPDC

Objectives

Encourage the media of these countries to pay greater attention to promoting cultural, scientific and educational integration, which is the purpose of the "Andrés Bello" Convention. Promote freedom of expression, pluralism of ideas and opinions and also of the independent media, a free flow of information, and objectivity in the treatment of current affairs.

Activities

1. A diagnosis on the state of communication in the "Andrés Bello" Convention members' countries (communication systems, data bases, research and studies, technical human resources) has been prepared. 2. A public information service for sectors of particular interest to the "Andrés Bello" Convention and the media in general has been brought into operation. 3. Appropriate equipment has been purchased and set-up in order to consolidate the information system. 4. A manual on procedures and services has been prepared. 5. Three workshops on the management of the system have been carried out with the attendance of 19 participants each.

Funds obligated

26,000

90% o The project is operationally terminated. o Evaluation is pending.

Project officers

Alfonzo and Gonzalez

Communication for integration in Latin America and the Caribbean .

All Latin American countries

Approval date

1994 - 1998

Total budget $

80,000

Budget code

PDC/15 RLA/02 352 RLA 52

Source

IPDC

Objectives

1. Promote the emergence in Latin American and Caribbean countries of a culture of integration that goes beyond purely economic aspects, and incorporate into civil society its benefits and contributions to the improvement of the quality of life.
2. Raise the level of public awareness in order to make citizens participants in the integration process.

Activities

1. A seminar on new communication technologies applied to printed media has been carried out (Sao Paulo, Brazil, April 11-12, 1996).
2. Production: (a) Newsletter (English and Spanish) has been edited and disseminated, (b) CD ROM focused on regional integration is being produced, and (c) a regional study on communication and cultural industries is being carried out.
3. The Network of Daily Newspapers in Latin America has been coordinated.
4. Support to mechanisms of cooperation and coordination of press offices from institutions of integration has been granted.
5. A network to systematically disseminate information on integrationprocesses outside and inside the region has been organized.

Funds obligated

72,000 Training: 9,000 Production: 25,500 Network support and coordination: 33,000 Misc.: 4,500

90 % o Considering some successful results obtained, such as the Network of Economic Daily Newspapers-Latin America and the lay-out of data base, upon the beneficiary's request, the project has been reformulated. For instance, the microprogrammes for radio were replaced by the extension of the production and dissemination of the newsletter.

Project officers

Alfonzo and Gonzalez

Training and research on the legal background to freedom of the press in Latin America.

Costa Rica, Cuba, Domincan Republic, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama

Approval date

1996 - 1998

Total budget $

80,000

Budget code

PDC/16 RLA/02 352 RLA 62

Source

IPDC

Objectives

To encourage study of and systematic research on freedom of information and expression, and the rights and freedoms of workers in the field of mass communication and its organizations. To conduct comparative studies on the application of the existing legislation in the various countries, and help to secure the provision of the means of adopting legislative, administrative, contractual and judicial solutions which will enable those rights to be effectively applied.

Activities

1. Conduct comparative law research studies in the field of freedom of expression and its relevance to the rights of journalists and their organizations. 2. Broaden the BANGLEFIP data base to cover the countries of the region. 3. Organize a regional seminar with 20 participants on freedom of information and the freedom of journalists and their organizations. 4. Set up a bank of legislation on mass media, freedom of expression and the rights of journalists and put into operation a network of research projects, documentation centres and professional organizations using, inter alia, INTERNET. 5. Conduct National studies on the objectives of the project. 6. Hold subregional seminars aimed at helping to train researchers and experts in this sphere.

Funds obligated

72,000

90 % Evaluation is pending

Project officers

Alfonzo and Gonzalez

Workshop for a new journalism.

Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Venezuela

Approval date

1996 - 1998

Total budget $

158,000 (78,000 IPDC and 80,000 FIT)

Budget code

PDC/16 RLA/03 352 RLA 63 520 RLA 60

Source

IPDC

Objectives

To contribute to the improvement of the profession of journalism in the countries of the Andean region, in the interests of endogenous journalistic production, the media and the general public. To promote ethical values, independent criteria, intellectual excellence and rigour in investigative journalism.

Activities

1. Carry out 24 workshops for the training of 240 journalists in the various professional fields and several forms of journalism namely, radio, television and the written press. 2. Conduct a study based on the application of a survey or a sample of journalists (press, radio and television) in the five countries involved regarding their production and training.

Funds obligated

151,000 (Training: 88,900 Research: 5,000 Organization and logistic support: 38,600 Communications:3,500 Publications: 15,000 )

96 %. Evaluation is pending.

Project officers

Alfonzo and Gonzalez

Computerized network of documentation centres on communication in Latin America.

All Latin American countries

Approval date

1997 - 1999

Total budget $

50,000

Budget code

PDC/17 RLA/03 352 RLA 74

Source

IPDC

Objectives

Ensure the region's collective self-sufficiency as regards access to information on all subjects related to communication, which would benefit governments, business people academics, professionals, researchers and students of communication. Strengthen Latin American cultural integration bodies, several of which are submitting this proposal by providing all with a global information base for the decision-making process.

Activities

1. Set up six modules for the collection, storage and networking of documentation on communication which will provide access through the Internet to the region's users. In view of FELAFACS structure , these modules will be located in Mexico, Brazil, Southern Cone, Andean countries, Caribbean and Central America, and Peru (headquarters of the Executive Secretariat of FELAFACS).
2. Hold a course tailored to the needs of the heads of documentation centres covering such subjects as the installation of hardware and the use of software.

Funds obligated

45,000 (5,000 have been foreseen for evaluation purposes)

90 %. Project implemented. o Evaluation pending.

Project officers

Alfonzo and Gonzalez

Satellite Broadcasting Network for Latin America.

Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Ecuador, Paraguay, Peru, Venezuela

Approval date

1997 - 1998

Total budget $

70,000

Budget code

PDC/17 RLA/02 352 RLA 73

Source

IPDC

Objectives

Contribute to the economic, professional and technical development of a major branch of radio in Latin America, whose activities comprise education, cultural development, and enhancement of the living conditions of the urban and rural populations. Increase local production of programmes and messages with a view to contributing to regional culture and integration.

Activities

1. Design and operate a satellite network of radios offering services to 300 radio stations in 17 countries of the region, in the first phase of the project.
2. Design and operate a Latin American Co-ordination and Service Unit , which will manage the network.
3. Establish and operate the hub station of the network.
4. Produce 2,000 copies of a publication reviewing the experience of the establishment and operation of the continental network, within the framework of the project.

Funds obligated

65,000 (5,000 have been foreseen for evaluation purposes)

93 % o Project implemented. o Evaluation pending.

Project officers

Alfonzo and Gonzalez

Central American networks for democracy, development and peace.

Central American countries

Approval date

1997

Total budget $

45,000

Budget code

PDC/18 RLA/03

Source

IPDC

Objectives

Increase domestic capacity for the production, reception and transmission of information with a view to promoting popular participation and to make the peace culture and participative democracy a viable option in the sub-region. Help Central American society, through the media, to reach a fuller understanding of the processes of peace, development, democracy and integration.

Activities

1. Set up three inter-regional networks.
2. Organize six training workshops.
3. Organize four inter-regional seminars.
4. Produce two training kits.
5. Organize a meeting of decision-makers from Central American governments.
6. Conduct research and case studies on the existing communication process in Central America.

Funds obligated

Project approved in December 1997. Awaiting funds allotment. Arrangements are being made for the implementation of the project.

Project officers

Alfonzo and Gonzalez

Creating and improving communication channels for the City.

Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Mexico, Panama, Paraguay, Uruguay, Venezuela

Approval date

1997

Total budget $

45,000

Budget code

PDC/18 RLA/05

Source

IPDC

Objectives

1. Produce and distribute an information bulleting twice a week.
2. Organize two training courses for urban journalists.
3. Produce 240 news stories.
4. Prepare a manual on the use of communication as a support for urban development.

Activities

Funds obligated

Project approved in December 1997. Awaiting funds allocation. Arrangements are being made for the implementation of the project.

Project officers

Alfonzo and Gonzalez