"WSF Nairobi, 2007 activities"

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WSF Nairobi, 2007 activities

Opening Ceremoney -- Saturday, January 20, 2007

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:

http://www.wsflibrary.org/index.php/Image:Capture1.jpg

The World Social Forum in Nairobi was yesterday officially opened by 'His Excellency, the 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.

Sunday, January 21, 2007

The programmes officially kicked off today and below were some of the events that took place--

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.

Information common Good for humanity or a mechandise Barriers to Information Acccess Cultural Barrier Access for information for the poor and for the rich Gap--Digital Divide

(Way Africa-ADdresses ICTs and Media in Afrrica )

Journalists to be able to access ICTS

Challenges for Africa

Policy Technology Audiences

Policy

Even Governments own media its an exyension of the ruling party in government. Forward looking policies that are against people's ownership. Dilution/LImmit the peoples influence and ownership Deliberate policies that emphasize pluralism in media i.e Public/community media We can ensure a afair policy in the media Fear of threats by governements i.e fear of having llocal voices in partnership Policies on content.

Technophobia of our politicians

'REsistence from the old times in meida faced by young ones.

Audience Have no access to the internet consume through local media e.g Radio,TVs and newspapers No access to the internet and what we publicise online.

Issues Audience is a threat Political Responses-Pan AFricanisms,news agency wasa set up to counter south-North News agencies i.e News exchanges Government,s response to the poor

Africans leadersnare good at signing policies but do n ot implement/support them and they die a natural death These projects are given private owners to run and this makes it expensive. Civic response-initiatives and reponses are not sustainable because they depend on donor funding.

six key issues African governments and media should address Access/Availability of what is available cost to the access these technologies

Citizenship faces consumerism our governnment policies should ensure state dedicates resourrces to ensure access to information ot citizens instead of Music and adversts.

North-south RElationship.we have to interrogate it because of globalisation what alternatives do we want in place of the current globalilsation

How do we relate to each Other' Harmony National cheuriuism/Lack of solidarity Diversity and Pluralism _Range of voices and diverse ownership of the media.

Public media/Community media and not governemnt extension media

We need to help our governments to come up with the necessary environments/best practices7Necessary legislation Recommendations

Participants were not able to locate the venues and the volunteesrs/guides also could not locate venues THis leads to wastage of much of the time. This leads to wastage of much of the time This led to participants getting to the sessions they were to cover very late hence missing part of the proceedings .

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