What is Radio 1812?
Radio 1812 is an initiative by December 18, the International Resource Centre on the Human Rights of Migrant Workers. It is a global event that brings together migrant groups and radios from around the world to produce, broadcast and share programmes celebrating the achievements and highlighting the concerns of migrants worldwide.
Kicking off with broadcasts in Australia, programming on the issue will move across time zones to reach the west coast of the Americas.
Why Radio 1812?
Since 2000, the international community has used 18th of December, International Migrants Day, to highlight the human rights of migrants. Over the years groups around the world have organised activities ranging from a rally in Bangladesh to a film festival in Israel. Making migrants voices heard is the common thread throughout International Migrants' Day and this is precisely what is at the heart of Radio 1812: linking communities worldwide around the pressing and ever present issue of migrants rights.
What will Radio 1812 do?
To provide an extra momentum to the activities of International Migrants' Day, Radio 1812 brings together participants from all continents: national-level radio stations, international broadcasters as well as community-based initiatives and civil society organizations. We encourage them:
During the week of International Migrants' Day, the Radio 1812 team gathers the audio material as it is broadcast or made available by the participating radio stations and puts it on our website where visitors will be able to listen to a special play list and download the programmes for re-broadcasting.
Since 2007, the Radio 1812 team started to produce and co-produce its own audio content. Last year, journalists went to international events in Athens and Copenhagen and produced a series of short audio programmes. In 2009 we also launched the “Voices from the Field” series, covering a number of projects dealing with migration and development issues.
In 2010, our journalists will attend the Global Forum on Migration and Development (and related events) in Mexico and the World Social Forum on Migrations in Quito.
When will Radio 1812 take place?
This global audio event will start on 17th December 12:00:00 GMT (midday) and end 19th December at 00:00:00 GMT (midnight).
Who are the people behind Radio 1812?
December 18’s office is located in Brussels, whilst the Radio 1812 team is made up of part-time staff and very supportive volunteers from around the globe. To find out more about the team behind this project, check: http://radio1812.net/en/about/the_team.
Who funds the Radio 1812 initiative?
December 18 is especially thankful for the financial support from the following organisations: Oxfam Novib, Federaal Impulsfonds, EC Youth in Action Programme, Bread for the World, and the Taiwan Foundation for Democracy.
How many countries will take part?
The first edition of Radio 1812 took place in 2006 and brought together over 50 radio stations in more than 25 countries. Last year, the event was even more successful. In total 243 radio stations from 50 countries in 4 continents participated, ranging from community radio stations to national and international public broadcasters.
This year we are hoping to continue with this trend and bring more countries and more radios on board.
CONTACT
Should you wish to speak to anyone at December 18 for interviews, media information regarding December 18 or Radio 1812 and for any queries, please contact us at: radio1812@december18.net - Phone: +32-2-2741435.