Communication and Information

The Communication and Information Sector (CI) was established as a major V programme of UNESCO. Communication and Information plays a fundamental role in the development process as they are essential for people to successfully respond to the opportunities and challenges of social, economic and technological changes. The mandate of Communication and Information sector which is rooted in UNESCO’s constitution is to promote the free flow of ideas by word and image. Communication and Information sector adopts a multi – stakeholders approach towards collaboration with civil society groups, the private sector, non- governmental organizations, professional organizations and institutions working in the communication and information field in implementing various activities. CI sector supports freedom of expression and freedom of the press as a driving force to sustainable development and tries to bridge the digital divide by promoting access to information.

UNESCO National Commission of the United Republic of Tanzania conducts several activities through its CI sector as indicated below.

1. International Programme for the Development of Communication (IPDC)

Support free, independent and pluralistic media, strengthen and promote global media development by conducting assessments of national media based on UNESCO’s Media Development Indicators (MDIs), reinforce capacities of journalists, journalism educators and their institutions, based on the UNESCO model curricula as a model for institutional excellence in this area, while encouraging the training of women journalists. Promote sustainable development by enhancing the abilities of journalists to report on science, development and democratic governance.

2. Information for All Programme (IFAP)

Foster universal access to information and knowledge resources through the use of ICTs, by means of new media and information literacy (MIL) initiatives and the development of electronic alternative means (and tools) for continuing and lifelong education including broadband-enhanced ICTs, mobile devices and open solutions, especially targeting teachers, researchers, information professionals and scientists. Empower nation to bridge the digital divide and address issues of accessibility by supporting the development of policy frameworks on universal access to information, information and communication technology (ICTs) and open solutions including, among others, the Open Educational Resources (OER) initiative and the Open Access Strategy, and encourage Member States to implement national policies relating to the Recommendation concerning the Promotion and Use of Multilingualism and Universal Access to Cyberspace.

3. Media and Information Literacy (MIL)

Empower citizens, particularly the youth, to access and harness the vast amounts of information and knowledge, by encouraging the adoption and integration of the media and information literacy (MIL) training curricula into national policies and strategies, and fostering relationships with youth organizations and other partners to promote the benefits of increased MIL competencies

4. Global Alliance on Media and Gender (GAMAG)

Foster increased gender equality in media operations and content by partnering with media institutions to apply and promote the Gender-Sensitive Indicators for Media (GSIM). Advanced gender equality in and through media by implementing the plan of action of the UNESCO-led Global Alliance on Media and Gender (GAMAG) with the participation of media, civil society and governments.

5. World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS)

The World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) recognized the capacity of communication and information to promote the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and concluded its work with an action plan setting out goals to be attained by serve as a framework of action for UNESCO in this area at the global and national level. CI sector through its Inter-governmental program of Information For All Programme (IFAP) knows that ICTs are an important sector of economic activity, achieving high growth rates in developed as well as in developing countries. ICTs are also a platform to exchange data, information, knowledge and a tool to implement applications (e.g. e-commerce, e-schools, e-health, etc.) As such, ICTs can play a catalytic role as an enabler to development.

6. Memory Of the World (MoW)

UNESCO established the Memory of the World Programme in 1992. Impetus came originally from a growing awareness of the parlous state of preservation of, and access to, documentary heritage in various parts of the world. War and social upheaval, as well as severe lack of resources, have worsened problems which have existed for centuries. Significant collections worldwide have suffered a variety of fates. Looting and dispersal, illegal trading, destruction, inadequate housing and funding have all played a part. Much as vanished forever; much is endangered. Happily, missing documentary heritage is sometimes rediscovered. The vision of the Memory of the World Programme is that the world’s documentary heritage belongs to all, should be fully preserved and protected for all and, with due recognition of cultural mores and practicalities, should be permanently accessible to all without hindrance.

7. Gender-Sensitive Indicators for Media (GSIM)

The aim of the Gender-Sensitive Indicators for Media (GSIM) is to contribute to gender equality and women’s empowerment in and through media of all forms, irrespective of the technology used. The main focus of the publication is on the equality and gender dimensions of social diversity in the media. UNESCO’s commitment to gender equality and women’s empowerment is pursued through gender-specific programming and gender mainstreaming with action in all of its fields of competence. UNESCO’s Communication and Information Sector has engaged globally in a wide range of gender-specific initiatives. The two perspectives, equality between women and men working in the media, and equality in news reporting on women and men, are of equal importance and are being stridently pursued. It is against this backdrop that UNESCO, in cooperation with the International Federation of Journalists and many other partners, has elaborated this global framework of Gender-Sensitive Indicators for Media. This is a part of a suite of indicators being developed across all sectors of the organization to enable effective assessment of diagnosis of areas within UNESCO’s mandate of media development.

Communication and Information plays a fundamental role in the development process as they are essential for people to successfully respond to the opportunities and challenges of social, economic and technological changes. The mandate of Communication and Information sector which is rooted in UNESCO’s constitution is to promote the free flow of ideas by word and image.

Communication and Information sector adopts a multi – stakeholders approach towards collaboration with civil society groups, the private sector, non- governmental organizations, professional organizations and institutions working in the communication and information field in implementing various activities.

CI sector supports freedom of expression and freedom of the press as a driving force to sustainable development and tries to bridge the digital divide by promoting access to information.

The sector has two Inter-Governmental Programmes:

1. International Programme for the Development of Communication (IPDC)
2. Informational For All Programme (IFAP)

International Programme for the Development of Communication (IPDC)

The International Programme for the Development of Communication (IPDC) is the only multilateral forum in the UN system designed to mobilize the international community to discuss and promote media development in developing countries. The programme provides support for media projects and seeks an accord to secure a healthy environment for the growth of free and pluralistic media.

The objectives of IPDC are set in the context of UNESCO’s New Communication Strategy that is:

• • To encourage the free flow of information at international and national levels;
  • To promote a wider and better balanced dissemination of information with no obstacle to freedom of expression
  • To strengthen communication capacities in developing countries.

To facilitate implementation of the programme each UNESCO Member State is required to form a National Committee to coordinate programme activities at the national level.

In 2010 United Republic of Tanzania established the National Committee for the IPDC which have the mandate to coordinate and facilitate the implementation of the IPDC programmes at national level and advice the government on all issues related to communication for development.

The IPDC National Committee works under the following activities

1.  Encourage and promote free flow of information at national level
2. Encourage and promote open dialogue and transparency of administration at local level and offer a voice of voiceless
3. Approve plans for the mobilization of resources for the national committee
4. Serve as a reference group and liaison with other stakeholders
5. Undertake any other function it thinks necessary or expedient to furthering the interest of the programme

IPDC Project Proposal

Submission of the Project Proposals
Radios, television stations, media training institutes, professional journalists, media development agencies and community media organization are eligible to write proposals and seek support from IPDC.

The project proposals should focus on IPDC priority areas of:

• Promoting press freedom and media pluralism,
• Development of community media,
• Enhancing professional capacity and
• Building partnerships for media improvementsThe project proposal must be submitted by using the official IPDC project form before 30 July of every year.The proposal should not be longer than 5 pages; background information beyond those 5 pages will be useful to assess the proposal and the budget.Interested and eligible applicants from the United Republic of Tanzania are invited to submit project proposals in any one of the IPDC priority areas.All proposals should be channelled through the UNESCO National Commission for endorsement and final submission to the  Inter – Governmental Programme Committee for consideration.

Projects Funded Under the IPDC Programme in Tanzania

1. Television Zanzibar Information Network
2. Capacity Building for TVT
3. Community Radio for Karagwe District
4. Journalism Training Centre
5. Capacity building of the new community media network of Tanzania(2009/2010)
6. Establishment of a CMC for the Maasai Pastoral Communities of Ngorongoro District(2009/2010)
7. Capacity Building of Pemba Press Club Project (2009/2010)
8. Capacity Building for TV Production Training for SAUT University(2009/2010)
9. “Speak With Freedom” TV Talk Shows (2009/2010)

UNESCO – IPDC Prize for Rural Communication

The UNESCO – IPDC Prize for Rural Communication is intended to recognize a meritorious and innovative activity in improving communication in rural communities especially in developing countries.

The UNESCO – IPDC prize is awarded every other year.

In 1999 Radio Tanzania Dar es Salaam received award through radio play entitled “Twende na Wakati” aired twice a week for thirty minutes and was highly acclaimed by the local communities. “Twende na Wakati” addressed a range of topics varying from fertility, family planning, maternal and child health, AIDS and STDs, to the need to educate girls, the fight against domestic violence and all sorts of discriminatory cultural practices.

Media houses in Tanzania are encouraged to apply for the Prize.

Information For All Programme (IFAP)

The IFAP is UNESCO’s international programme which seeks to address the information divide between the north and the south, and among various social groups. IFAP aimed at harnessing the new opportunities of the information age and create equitable societies through better access to information. IFAP established in 2000.

The IFAP concentrates its efforts on the five priority areas 

1. Information for Development focuses on the value of information for addressing development issues.
2. Information Literacy empowers people in all walks of life to seek, evaluate, use and create information effectively to achieve their personal, social, occupational and educational goal.
3. Information Preservation will be predominantly executed by strengthening the underlying principles of the Memory of the World Programme, beyond its registers, which serve as catalysts to alert decision makers and the public at large.
4. Information Ethics cover the ethical, legal and societal aspects of the applications of ICT and derive from the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
5. Information Accessibility encompasses the many issues surrounding availability, accessibility and affordability of information, as well as the special needs of people with disabilities.

The main objectives of the IFAP are:

1. To promote international reflection and debate on the ethical,
2. Legal and societal challenges of the information society,
3. Promote and widen access to information in the public domain through the organization and digitization and preservation of information,
4. Support training, continuing education and lifelong learning in the fields of communication information and informatics,
5. Support the  production of local content and foster the availability of indigenous knowledge through basic literacy and ICT Literacy training,
6. Promote the use of international standards and best practices in communication,
7. Information and informatics in UNESCOS fields of competence and
8. Promote information and knowledge networking at local national regional and international levels.To facilitate implementation of the programme each UNESCO member state is required to form a National Committee to coordinate programme activities.In 2010 UNESCO National Commission of United Republic of Tanzania established IFAP National Committee. The committee works closely with information stakeholders to promote an enabling environment for access to information, to identify relevant programmes for implementation and coordinate their implementation in the country