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Community Radio for Disaster Resilience of SIDS: UNESCO Workshop Empowers Local Teams
On Thursday, May 9, 2024, UNESCO's Office for the Caribbean hosted the workshop "Community Radio for Disaster Resilience of Small Island Developing States (SIDS)." This event, conducted in a hybrid mode, was the first of its kind aimed at supporting teams that have already received RadioBox Studios in enhancing their disaster resilience efforts. The workshop attracted 41 participants from seven countries, including Antigua and Barbuda, Canada, France, Jamaica, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, as well as Sint Maarten.
Dr. Anna Paolini, Director and Representative of the UNESCO Office for the Caribbean, in her opening remarks, emphasized the critical role of community radio in disaster preparedness.
Community radio stations are essential in providing timely and accurate information during emergencies, fostering resilience and saving lives.
The workshop was facilitated by , the developers of the RadioBox Studio, with Alexandre Plank, Creative Director & Co-Founder, leading the training sessions. Participants were equipped with practical skills to operate the RadioBox, create and disseminate content, and effectively integrate it into their local disaster preparedness strategies.
Radio is an extremely powerful tool that enables a community to reach a large proportion of its members using simple and effective technology. In times of crisis or disaster, it helps to maintain a link, while creating a channel for information and dialogue
Dr. Paul Hector, Advisor for Communication & Information at UNESCO, also highlighted the broader impact of the workshop.
This initiative not only strengthens disaster resilience but also promotes social cohesion and sustainable development in small island developing states.
Participants too, also expressed their appreciation.
The training provided by UNESCO and Making Waves has empowered our community radio station to better serve our people in times of crisis
Two follow-up sessions have been scheduled to reinforce participants' skills and to jumpstart the preparation of disaster preparedness content and community engagement. These sessions will ensure that the knowledge gained is effectively applied and sustained in the long term.
Countries like The Bahamas, Saint Lucia, and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines have already implemented the RadioBox, while Sint Maarten and Dominica have expressed interest in acquiring this innovative technology. Donors have shown interest in supporting this initiative, recognizing its potential to enhance disaster preparedness and resilience across the region.
The event concluded with a vibrant Q&A session, reinforcing the participants' commitment to leveraging community radio as a powerful tool for disaster preparedness and response.
The workshop was conducted in the framework of UNESCO's Programme onMedia in Crisis Preparedness and Response. This initiative empowers media professionals, strengthens the capacity of media organizations, and supports member states in providing timely, accurate information before, during, and after crises. This initiative is particularly relevant to the Caribbean, where effective communication can significantly enhance disaster resilience increase community safety and reduce post-disaster recovery time
For further information on this story and activities of the UNESCO Office of the Caribbean on Media in Crisis Preparedness and response you may contact p.hector at unesco.org
