With apologies for cross-posting:
For immediate release: Community Radios to Fight Against Caste Based Discrimination in Nepal
March 20, 2014, Kathmandu. On the occasion of International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination on 21st March, the World Association of Community Radio Broadcasters, AMARC Asia-Pacific, Association of Community Radio Broadcasters of Nepal, ACORAB (http://acorab.org.np/), and the Jagaran Media Centre, JMC (http://www.jagaranmedia.org.np/), have decided to work jointly to mobilize community radios of Nepal against all kinds of discriminations, especially against caste-based discrimination.
As per a recently signed MOU, the three organizations will carry out activities to highlight caste-based discrimination and to promote a more equitable, inclusive and accountable democracy in Nepal. Activities will include mobilization of community radios to broadcast specially produced programs against discrimination that will include radio documentaries, reportages, features, news items, call-in programs, interviews and road-shows. Community radios have been appealed give special impetus to the movement against caste-based discrimination through their programming.
The decision of the three organizations follows the commitment expressed by community radio broadcasters of Asia-Pacific region, as expressed during the 3rd AMARC Asia-Pacific Regional Conference held in Seoul, South Korea from 2-5 December 2013. The assembly in Seoul reiterated the commitment of the community radio movement to work towards ending all kinds of discriminations including caste-based discrimination.
Caste-based discrimination, as highlighted by the Dalit movement is one of the worst forms of discriminations in Nepal. Dalits, the discriminated people under a traditional caste system, suffer social restrictions and deprivation from economic opportunities, as well as a general neglect by the state and society. More than twenty Dalit caste groups exist in Nepal. It is estimated that the number of Dalit people in Nepal is about 13 percent of the total population.
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Through service to its members, networking and project implementation, the World Association of Community Radios (AMARC) brings together more than 4,000 community radios, federations and community radio partners in more than 130 countries. The main impact of AMARC since its foundation in 1983 has been to accompany and support the establishment of a global community radio sector. AMARC does lobbying and advocacy for the right to communication internationally, nationally and at the local and neighborhood levels, and defends and promotes the interests of the community radio movement through solidarity, networking and cooperation. For more information, please contact Suman Basnet, Regional Coordinator for Asia-Pacific, [log in to unmask] or visit http://ap.amarc.org/.
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Suman Basnet
Regional Coordinator
AMARC Asia Pacific
Kathmandu, Nepal
Web: http://ap.amarc.org/
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