"WSF Nairobi, 2007 activities"

WSF Nairobi, 2007 activities

With over 100,000 people in attendance from all over the world, the World Social Forum (WSF) Nairobi, 2007 kicks off with the opening ceremony on Saturday, January 20, 2007. Some of the shots from the opening ceremoney include the following:

<img src="Capture1.jpg">


The World Social  Forum in Nairobi  was yesterday  officially opened  by  '''H.E former president  of  Zambia  Kenneth Kaunda.''' In his opening  speech  he  said that  from experience,challenges  in 2007  can  be overcomed  and a  better world  is very  possibble. He said that injustice  cannot be overcomed  by force  of love , harmony  and fair play.Rights and  diginity  of all people  must be respected  and that  we must continue  action for the  common  good.
He also highlighted  various problems  that are facing the world today  and these include
Poverty
Division-north and south  divide
Hiv/Aids
Environmental issues -Dessertification
Ccrimes
-Gender equality and women,s rights.


'''Information:common good for humanity or a merchandise African media facing media concentration and the convergence of technologies.
'''
Organizers: Institute Panos Afrique de I'ouest
Participants:Over 50
Key speakers:Jason & Chris Kagwata

Issues covered
1. Policy
Our governments are very ambivalent in the ownership of media. Its an extension of the ruling party.
Some policies are against co-ownership of media. 
Governments should set up partnerships on how much locals can own media.
Policies are good on paper.

2. Technologies
Poor ICT infrastructure.
People are still green in the ICT sector

3. Audiences
We don't have access to a wide range .our audience is primarily radio, TV and newspapers.
access to the Internet is not common so governments are reluctant to invest a lot in the Internet due to lack of an audience.

Issues to address for African Media
1. Access
Availability and cost of that which is available e.g. radio TV, Internet and Newspapers.

2. Citizenship vs Consumerism
Governments should come up with policies to ensure that the public interests are put into consideration. Ensure that newspapers and advertisements, educative programs, are put into consideration for public interest to reduce on music and pornography alone.

3. North South Co-operation.
Should be interrogated because of the issue of globalisation. There is also need for solidarity.

4. Hegemonies
Ethnic identity gives to national ownership.

5. Diversity and pluralism.
Having a range of voices e.g. gender, the youth. Pluralism is diverse ownership of the media i.e. community /public media that is truly public.

6. Need to help our governments in coming up with necessary regulations around media.


'''Time: 11.30 – 2.00pm 
Report by: Bukirwa Annette'''



'''Embracing the excluded today: Facing the challenges of HIV/Aids
Organizer: Franciscans Internationale'''

'''Summary of issues'''
Aids poses one of the gravest threats to human societies everywhere.Since  the discovery of Aids in 1981, over 27 million people have died,  the consequences of this pandemic fall hardest on women, children and the aged.

Mebers of the  Franciscan family in Africa,Latin America, Asia , the middle east and elsewhere  around the  world  are working  courageously  to fight  the scourge of HIV and AIDS .
Frnaciscicans  on the frontlines care  for children  orphaned by  HIV and AIDS
'''
The African experience:Uganda and Kenya'''

Sister Kareen from Zambia Catholic Diocese. 
The war to fight HIV pandemic is like any other war and the wari is taking a lot of lives and a lot needs to be done. In Zambia, efforts have been made and these include:
Free treatment and ARVs in government hospitals
Education for the caretakers of HIV infected people
Behavior change for the youth
Lobbying and advocacy through media and drama

Different organizations like Pallative Care Association of Zambia Catholic Relief Service from U.S, Irish Aid, WFP, Care International.

Difficulties encountered in counseling HIV positive people:
Denial  - most people do not want to accept their status
Discrimination
Stigmatization
Self pity
Culture of silence especially women 
Cultural belief and practices e.g. cleaning ritual when one of the partners die i.e. to have sexual intercourse with the next of kin, fathers sleeping with their daughters before  marriage to prove they are women etc.
Traditional healers and Pentecostals
Poor nutrition of HIV positive people.

'''Recommendations'''
Let us act now
A lot needs to be done especially on behavior change of youth, counseling and education because the more we talk a lot the more people begin to fear.
Today its me, tomorrow its you. lets us come together in work in this war on HIV.
Organize prayer vigil on World AIDS day
Urge people in authority to provide greater resources for prevention, care and treatment.
Mobilize others in the fight against HIV.

'''Report by Loyce and Ben
Time and Date:1:05, 21/01/2007'''