Ek Duniya Ek Awaaz

Radio remains the most powerful mass medium for reaching large numbers. It is an  important tool for the rapid diffusion of important messages on various issues and provides a platform for expression of views, concerns and perceptions. Radio is a tool that can be used to develop community cohesion and solidarity. Community involvement is fundamental for the successful use of radio with diversified thinking process on various issues, like health, education, nutrition, socio-cultural taboos and so on.

 
OneWorld South Asia’s Community Radio Initiative

Keeping the above in view, OneWorld South Asia, in 2004, initiated a Radio Programme “Ek Duniya Ek Awaaz” with the following objectives :

•  ·        To promote use of radio as an effective tool of communication for development

• ·        To use radio as a participatory method of empowering communities

• ·        To build the capacity among Community Based Organisations in the use of audio tools as means for social and economic empowerment

• ·        To develop a platform for peer to peer exchange of audio  programmes

• ·        To build/strengthen grassroots broadcasters’network

• ·        To address various issues which are directly or indirectly related to the Millennium Development Goals through radio

 Representatives of various NGOs meet on a regular basis to develop a strategy for promoting the radio as a tool.

OWSA organizes capacity building workshops for those who are working directly with the community, These workshops are designed to give a comprehensive package, starting from raising the voices from the community to bringing a radio programme at their door-steps for empowering them with knowledge on MDGs. The dissemination strategy includes forming the listeners’ clubs from the communities itself. OWSA has a small studio at its office premises where these participants could make their programmes, listen to their own voices and go to the community with a zeal to empower them.

OWSA broadcast the programmes under the banner Ek Duniya Ek Awaaz from Delhi – FM Rainbow – Frequency 102.6, every Wednesday, from 4.30-5.00p.m. The prorammes are on air from AJK Mass Communication Research Centre, Jamia Nagar -  Radio Jamia FM 90.4, New Delhi.

Similar initiatives have been taken in Nepal, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh.