SUPPORT FOR COMMONWEALTH SCHOLARS

Opportunities for financial assistance are expanding with the introduction of the Rothschild World Scholarship in collaboration with the Commonwealth Secretariat, which supports Penn World Scholars from Commonwealth countries. The Penn World Scholars programme offers financial assistance to outstanding students to attend the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia, USA. The Rothschild World Scholarship is supported by Sir Evelyn and Lynn Forester de Rothschild. The Rothschild family also recently helped created the Manmohan Singh Undergraduate Scholarship Fund at Cambridge University, UK in honour of India’s Prime Minister.

CARIBBEAN EXAMINATIONS COUNCIL RESTRUCTURES

The Caribbean Examinations Council (CXC) is reorganising to improve strategic planning, business development and marketing. Operations have been divided into three areas: corporate services, examinations services and business services. The restructuring involves the establishment of a Corporate Strategy and Business Development Unit, which will oversee leveraging CXC’s intellectual property, developing new products and services, and fundraising.

CXC is also working with COL to explore the creation of an open school. Currently, less than half of all secondary school students in the region complete five or more secondary school subjects – the standard for entry-level employment and for matriculation into tertiary schools.

Funded by Caribbean governments, donors and fees, CXC is an examining body that provides educational certifications in 16 English-speaking Commonwealth Caribbean countries and territories.

www.cxc.org

SHARING COMMUNITY RADIO KNOWLEDGE

Creating Connections: Loretta Bailey (right) and Karen McHarg 

In June, Ms. Loretta Bailey went on a COL-sponsored exchange to CHUO FM radio in Ottawa, Canada. As the Sales and Administrator Coordinator for ROOTS FM in Jamaica, Ms. Bailey had the opportunity to see the inner workings of another community radio station. She provided this report about her experience.

This was my first trip to Canada. CHUO FM is located in a basement at the University of Ottawa. It felt like home to me, but a more upgraded home. CHUO FM has more space than we do at ROOTS FM, about 200 volunteers, a music library and more up-to-date equipment. This equipment would make our day-to-day operations less complicated in Jamaica. If ROOTS FM had just half of what CHUO FM has, we would be in a far better position. As I said to my counterpart, Karen McHarg, Director of Sales & Marketing, “Just give us half of what you have – we would work miracles each day for our inner city community!”

CHUO FM programming content is not different from ROOTS FM’s. As community radio stations, we both air programmes that are geared towards the poor, programmes that are uplifting and educational. They have Caribbean programmes, which are the selling points at CHUO FM. These programmes reminded me of being at ROOTS FM and listening to the station. Their listeners respond just as ROOTS listeners would. Their Caribbean programmes consist of wide range of music including reggae, dancehall and others.

As community radio stations, CHUO’s and ROOT FM’s operations are similar. Music sheets are a requirement at both stations, as well as the airing of commercials and programming that provides an alternative to commercial radio. One area of difference is advertising rates. ROOTS FM’s prices are based on the length of commercials, while CHUO FM’s prices are based on the volume of commercials purchased. Karen and I exchanged ideas about sales, mainly on how to sell the station and how to work with our target audience and the little money they have. Karen’s influence and work knowledge has prompted me to become a lot more professional and interested in my work area. She has given me the encouragement and determination to promote and sell ROOTS FM.

The experience is something I am grateful for. Upon my return to ROOTS FM, I was asked where I would prefer to work. The answer was easy and simple: just give us the equipment and we will do the work no matter where we are!

UPDATE: GLOBAL KNOWLEDGE PARTNERSHIP

Global Knowledge Partnership (GKP), the world’s first multi-stakeholder network promoting innovation and advanced in knowledge and information and communication technology for development (ICT4D), has introduced a new strategic direction.

Following recommendations from a Task Force, GKP is shifting its focus from advocacy for ICT4D to supporting practitioners and community members with ICT interventions. Recognising that a much higher proportion of poor and marginalised people now have access to at least some form of ICT, GKP will take on an advisory role in ICT4D initiatives, facilitating partnerships and assisting with deployment of programmes. The new strategic framework was adopted earlier this year.

COL has been re-elected to GKP’s Executive Committee and is represented by Vice President Professor Asha Kanwar.

www.globalknowledgepartnership.org