Yesterday, today and tomorrow
“Radio is the most listened to media in the world.”

On November 13, the World Association of Community Radios was one of the rare non-governmental organizations to be invited to speak at the Plenary Assembly of the 42nd General Conference of UNESCO which continues. One hundred and sixty-three States participated in this general conference, responsible for determining the direction of this United Nations agency. This assembly was held in the presence of the United States, which this summer abandoned its policy of withdrawal from UNESCO.

UNESCO, United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, is one of the oldest agencies of the United Nations, created at the time of the League of Nations. This institution has integrated into its scope, standards on the media and freedom of expression. It plays an important role in supporting the media for sustainable development and cultural diversity and influences the policy of large private foundations in favor of the media in the countries of the South. UNESCO is responsible for organizing World Radio Day, every February 13 each year.

The World Association of Community Radios, created in Quebec in 1983, was recognized as an associate member of UNESCO in 2003, a privileged status shared by very few international civil society organizations. AMARC is notably part of the organization of World Radio Day. This is the first time that AMARC has been invited to speak at a plenary meeting of the General Conference.

Emmanuel Boutterin, AMARC International Chairman, became the spokesperson for the four thousand local so-called “community” radio stations and the eighty thousand workers of these media, presenters and journalists, to declare in particular that “On all continents, even in the mountains, on the islands and in the valleys, in peace zones and in conflict zones, in urban areas and in rural areas, in the neighborhoods of megacities and among indigenous peoples, the majority of young people and a part of adults are connected to social networks. But when a voice on the radio announces an event, a concert, the weather, when a mother talks about her family, when a little girl recites the alphabet, when a doctor talks about a treatment, when a host comments on a football match, someone turns up the volume and everyone looks up from their phones”

 “We want local radio stations to play a role in social cohesion, educational progress, economic development and peace in their territory and in families, in the fight against fake news, stereotypes, violence and conspiracy. We support them on this path. We act with the support of UNESCO and other United Nations agencies, thanks to the financing of micro-projects.

AMARC plead with ambassadors from countries around the world to promote the diversity, access to frequencies and support systems that each state must be able to provide to local community media.