An eye-witness account of the Media and Development Forum in Ouagadougou (Burkina Faso) which took place from 11-13 September 2008, by Gaston S.
Ouagadougou, the capital of Burkina hosted a forum on the theme "Media and Development" from 11-13 September 2008. The forum was jointly organised by the Commission of the African Union and the European Commission in association with the International Francophonie Organisation, the Commonwealth and the Community of Portuguese Speaking Countries (CPLP). Politicians, media professionals, civil society discussed media and good governance, liberty of the media, the role of local media, the image of Africa in Europe and of Europe in Africa, for 48 hours.
The discussions resulted in a kind of road map showing the action needed for the media to play a full and effective part in the development process of the country. Conscious that the media have an important role to play in the development process, the participants felt that it was necessary to put the emphasis on training African journalists to respect ethical rules and working practices, and to give the media better financial and logistical means.
The success of the forum is linked not just to this African Union-European Union agreement, but also to the quality and richness of communication and discussion, which took place around this. Plan International took part in this, notably with a report presented by Mrs. Aminatou Sar, Regional Coordinator of Media Projects on "The role of local media : local action to succeed at a world level ?"
Under Plan’s guidance, five children from Burkina produced press articles particularly interviews and reports during this forum.
Look at the Media and Development Forum website !
What I learnt
An eye-witness account of the Media and Development Forum in Ouagadougou (Burkina Faso) which took place from 11-13 September 2008, by Rachidiatou B.
Chronicle of a forum
An eye-witness account of the Media and Development Forum in Ouagadougou (Burkina Faso) which took place from 11-13 September 2008, by Michel O.
Louis Michel listening to children
An interview of Louis Michel carried out by the Young Reporters trained by Plan during the Media and Development Forum which took place in Ouagadougou on 11-13 September 2008.
The radio
Yao worked really hard for a year in Nigeria so he could buy himself a radio, but now it doesn’t work...
Two friends, one bicycle
Kodjo and his friend decide to go and work in Nigeria to buy a bike. During the trip the children are caught in a fire in the bush and Kodjo’s friend dies…
Abass
Abass shares his joy in having been told about children’s rights and his desire to make those around him aware of these rights (Malawi).
Brenda
Brenda took part in the 5th World Media Summit for Children in Johannesburg (March 2007, South Africa) and says what she feels about the problem of children understanding information broadcast by the media. (English, subtitled in French)
Marie
Draws our attention to the situation of disadvantaged children, who have problems accessing education.
Piwisso
Shares his opinion on the role of the media in the promotion of orphans’ rights and their protection in Togo.
A better futur
Children should go to school and learn so they can help their families and make a better future. You shouldn’t leave your country to look for happiness somewhere else. This is what Hodalo says.
Détogra Jérôme
Gives us his point of view on the usefulness of media projects for young people in Togo.
Leaving for far away
Two young girls disappear after talking to a woman at the school exit. They were taken far from their village to work, which stopped them going to school and sitting their exams at the end of the year like everybody else.
Waiting
Moutawakilou worked two years in Nigeria because Oga, a drug dealer, had promised to buy him a motorbike in exchange, but he didn’t keep his word.
Oga (trafficker)
Abibou was taken with other children to Nigeria by a child-trafficker. He had promised to buy Abibou a motorbike. In fact, he used him to earn money and stopped him from going to school and so destroyed his chances of an education.
Akouvi at school
Akouvi wants to learn to sew so she can make her own clothes. Without listening to her mother who forbids her to do this, she decides to go to Nigeria in order to buy a sewing machine. She returns some time later, unhappy and without a sewing machine.
Jules
Speaks to use about the need to integrate disadvantaged children in "Children and the Media" clubs.
The dream
Even if certain women say that in Nigeria you can have everything you dream of (wraps, radios. .), Mawulé says this isn’t true and tells how her stay there was very difficult.
The motocycle
Agbéko worked in Nigeria for two years to buy a motorbike. He only rode it once and then he had an accident. Since then it no longer works. Two years of working in tough conditions and all that suffering for nothing !
Over there
Many young girls are persuaded to go and work in Nigeria in order to be able to buy everything they’ve ever dreamed of. There, they are, in fact exploited by adults and only experience unhappiness.
Frederic
Suggests setting up a chain for children in each country in order to be able to promote their rights (South Africa) (English, subtitled French).
Being proud
Amavi tells us that it’s more rewarding to work at home in the village, rather than work as a domestic help far away from home.
Talking with my parents
Despite her parents forbidding her to go there, Assigble set off for Nigeria. On her return she tells of the unhappiness she experienced whilst living there.
Feel lucky
A group of Togolese children taken to work in Benin and Nigeria explain their decision never to go back there.
Palswè
Tells us about the impact of the ’Deviwo Be’ radio broadcast on young people who host it and those who listen to it.
Bérenger
Speaks to us about the impact of the "Deviwo Be" radio show on perceptions of the right to education for children in families.
Magnim
Gives his point of view on schooling for girls and on the role of the media in promoting this right.
Joyce
Since taking part in the 5th World Media Summit for Children (March 2007) in Johannesburg (South Africa), Joyce talks to us about the importance of suitable media for children. (English subtitled in French).
