UN awards two South American radio networks top prize for local-level achievement

A United Nations programme helping to strengthen mass communication capabilities in developing countries awarded two South American community radio networks today its top prize for local-level innovation and achievement in broadcasting.

At the Paris headquarters of the UN Educational, Social and Cultural Organization's (UNESCO), representatives of the two community radio stations - Argentina-based Radio Huanacache network and Quispillaccta of Peru - will receive the IPDC-UNESCO Prize for Rural Communication from Torben Krogh, Chairperson of the Intergovernmental Council of the International Programme for the Development of Communication (IPDC).

The IPDC awards the $20,000 prize every two years to a person, group of people or one or more institutions or organizations for "their particularly meritorious and innovative actions aimed at improving communication and facilitating the participation of rural populations, especially in developing countries, in the economic, cultural and social life of their countries." Since it was set up in 1980, the IPDC has provided nearly $90 million to support about 1,000 communication projects.

At the ceremony, the Huanacache radio network - set up by the Maestro Pablo Pizzuno School in Argentina - will be represented by the school's principal, and Radio Quispillaccta by one of its senior staff, as well as the head of the that farming community's town council. The award ceremony is part of the 23rd session of the IPDC, which runs through Friday, and will be attended by representatives of the Council's 39 Member States.

The Huanacache radio network was chosen because it brings together a dozen schools and communities in the north-eastern Lavalle Desert of Argentina's Mendoza province. Three schools in the region have now set up community radios, with cultural and educational programming focusing on the activities of the local traditional Huarpe culture. Radio Quispillaccta broadcasts in the Quechua language from the Peruvian town of Ayacucho and aims to revive Andean farming and cultural traditions.