Dear OURMedia list members,
Only a
couple of days to go until the final abstract submission deadline for OURMedia X
conference ‘DIVERSE COMMUNITIES, DIVERSE MEDIA’ in Papua New Guinea from 21-25
July 2014. (We are still accepting abstracts all of this week)
Thanks to
those who have submitted their abstracts already. We are in the process of
putting together an exciting program with discussions, workshops, academic
presentations, fieldtrips, screenings and exhibitions.
I would
like to update you on some of our planned activities. Our draft program will be
available around mid May.
· For five days, OURMedia X will
offer a unique opportunity to be immersed in indigenous approaches that range
from indigenous uses of media technologies to communication research based on
indigenous methodologies. According to Clemencia Rodríguez: “the minute I
finished reviewing abstracts for OM X, I booked my ticket to PNG. OURMedia X
will be such a unique opportunity to truly see what it means to think and do
indigenous, to think media policy in indigenous terms, to use media according
to the needs and values of indigenous communities, to de-colonize research
design.”
· Local keynote speakers include
social media activist Emmanuel Narokobi, Papua New Guinean blogger and social
media expert, Prof Michael Mel, performance artist, curator and lecturer, and
currently Pro-Vice Chancellor (Academic & Innovation) at the University of
Goroka, and John Doa, Director of the Raun Raun Theatre, a theatre group that
engages youth in cultural and creative activities while addressing contemporary
issues.
· One of the conference sessions
will be held in the community of Okiufa involving local artists and community
groups. A day of fieldtrips to local communities will provide opportunities to
get an insight into current life in Papua New Guinea, exploring topics such as
Indigenous uses of media technology, local approaches to development and social
change, local discussion of human rights, disability, and agriculture.
· Key speakers from the OURMedia network
Clemencia Rodriguez and Alfonso Gumucio Dagron will introduce the latest
debates around activist social media, alternative and citizen’s media.
· The conference will include film screenings
from PNG, the Pacific and the world. This will for example include a screening
of a film series Pawa Meri, directed
by emerging Papua New Guinean filmmakers about inspiring women, and films from
Vanuatu around issues such as climate change or gender. OURMedia X will also
showcase a number of exhibitions by local and international artists exhibiting
paintings and photographs, including a project that examines cross-generational
relationships by combining archival photographs with contemporary paintings and
a photo voice project by people living with HIV.
· The conference will include
workshops on areas such as social media and video for change, as well as other
practical applications in regards to media practice.
The
conference will bring together over 100 South Pacific Island scholars, artists,
media activists, practitioners as well as institutions and organisations
working in the area of community and alternative media, and communication for social
change.
Please
contact us via [log in to unmask]
for any further information and find below some practical information on the
conference which can also be accessed via www.ourmedia-networg.org
The OURMedia conference at the University of Goroka is a unique event in the Pacific and we look forward to welcoming you at the conference in July!
Regards, Verena
(on behalf of the OM2014 Organising Committee)
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CONFERENCE INFORMATION
REGISTRATION
Registration for the
conference is via the OURMedia website (www.ourmedia-network.org). To register,
please download and fill in the registration form, and email it to [log in to unmask].
The conference fee for
the week is AUD 150 (approx. US$135 or 100 Euro) for registration before 30 May
2014. The registration fees cover conference pass and kit, meals at the
conference and a ticket to the opening of the conference to be held on Sunday evening,
20th of July 2014.
TRAVEL to PNG
You can find information
in regards to travel on the OURMedia website (http://www.ourmedia-network.org/?page_id=108)
Please note the
following important information:
Many
international travel sites (such as Expedia and others) will come up with
high prices when typing in Port Moresby as a destination. It is much
cheaper to book the flight to Port Moresby directly via the airlines that fly
there (Air Niugini, Qantas or Virgin Blue). Travel websites are used best to get from your city of
origin to Sydney or Brisbane, Australia or to Bali, Indonesia. Separate flights
need to be purchased from these cities to Port Moresby, and then to Goroka. We
are happy to assist and advise on your travel bookings.
ACCOMMODATION
We have listed a number
of accommodation options on our website (http://www.ourmedia-network.org/?page_id=108).
We advise you to fill out the accommodation and arrival form and the
OURMedia organising team will assist you with
you accommodation booking.
VISA INFORMATION
Please see the OURMedia
website (http://www.ourmedia-network.org/?page_id=162) for
information on visa. Please note that some passport holders are eligible toobtain a visa on arrival, whereas others will need to apply for a visa in
advance. Please email us should you require further information. We can also
provide an official invitation letter to the conference if required.