Lao PDR

UNDP News

01 November 2007

Surfing the Waves: Lao's First Community Radio Seminar
1 - 2 November 2007, Novotel, Vientiane
Organised by Ministry of Information and Cultured, UNESCO and UNDP

The country's first international conference to discuss community radio as a tool for development began in Vientiane today (Thursday 1 November). The seminar, which is co-chaired by United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the Ministry of Information and Culture and UNESCO, attracted media experts from around Lao PDR and the world - including Nepal , Thailand , Denmark , the Philippines and Australia . Participants at the forum are discussing the future of community-oriented and community-run radio in Lao PDR and learning from each other's experiences.

The conference was opened by Vice Minister of Information and Culture, Dr. Bosengkham Vongdara with a keynote address on the role of information in overcoming poverty and promoting development in the 47 poorest districts in Lao PDR. He noted that radio is one of the most important media for reaching people in remote regions. For this reason, he said, “the establishment of community radio is an important milestone for promoting development in Lao PDR as well as speeding up poverty eradication throughout Lao PDR.”

One of the centrepieces of the two day conference is the “Khoun Radio Station for Development”, the first community-run station to operate in Lao PDR. The station in Khoun district, Xiengkhouang, one of the 47 poorest districts in the country, has been on air since July this year. The seminar is an opportunity to review the station's experience with a wider range of stakeholders. This will assist Khoun Radio with its development-centred programming work. Among the many participants present at the conference are the groundbreaking community-oriented Ta-Oy and Samoi radio stations and the pioneers of radio listeners groups in Lao PDR, the Lao Disabled People's Association.

In his opening remarks, Resident Representative a.i., Mr Stéphane Viglié, said UNDP's support of community radio in Lao PDR reflects the organisation's commitment to assist the country achieve the Millennium Development Goals.

“UNDP - not only in Lao PDR but also on a global level - puts increasing emphasis on ‘information and communication for empowerment' to enhance participatory development. Without appropriate information, without a forum for communication and dialogue, it will be hard, if not impossible, to reach the ambitious and important Millennium Goals.”

The objectives of the two day seminar are to provide information about community radio; to support the existing radio initiatives in Lao PDR through the sharing of experiences; and to discuss with government and development partners the potential of community radio in enhancing health, agriculture, education, culture and gender equality.