Gooooooooood morning, Bagluuuuuung!!

It was music to my ears (literally because I could only understand the music). Our first radio program was aired this morning and it’s a great feeling to have something concrete to show for my time working in Baglung. Sure, I’ve submitted proposals and finished smaller projects, but this, I hope, will have an immediate impact in the community.

So far, all the resources to make the program happen have been gathered locally, which is great news in terms of sustainability. I’ve added a copy of the press release that Yogendra and I put together for the occasion.

PRESS RELEASE:

BAGLUNG, NEPAL, AUGUST 12, 2007: The Collective Campaign for Peace (COCAP) Western Region Focal Point has begun producing and airing its own radio program every Sunday entitled ‘Constituent Assembly and Human Rights’ in order to raise awareness about the upcoming elections.

In collaboration with Baglung FM, COCAP member organizations, and other institutions working in the field of human rights, a 30 minute program will air every Sunday at 7:30 a.m. The program reaches more than 100,000 people in nine districts, including Baglung, Myagdi, Parbat and Mustang. The goal is to educate disadvantaged groups (DAGs) such as remote villagers, Dalits, females and Janajatis (ethnic caste groups) about the upcoming Constituent Assembly (CA) elections.

Under the banner of social inclusion, the program will stimulate discussion and awareness among DAGs regarding their civic duties in a democracy as well as the responsibility of the government and its representatives to serve the people. This civic awareness campaign will feature interviews with DAG leaders and commoners throughout the region.

Furthermore, the program will help to familiarize citizens about the CA candidates and to follow up on issues related to caste, DAG and gender problems. The expectation is that this program will allow citizens to elect candidates that solve their problems.

This will empower DAGs to establish their position, status and roles in the new constitution. We hope that the program will also create an open environment for victimized people to receive compensation and justice regarding human rights and transitional justice.

Special thanks to Baglung FM for agreeing to conduct the program until the culmination of the CA election.

Here is another photo of Yogendra recording the program at his desk in CYC, the focal point office. The computer is his own and the microphone and mixer are on loan from the Magar Association of Nepal, Baglung branch.