The International Programme for the Development of Communication (IPDC) promotes free and pluralistic media in developing countries and the countries in transition. Through media development IPDC helps strengthen communicative & analytical skills of the people and their participation in democratic governance. The priority is given to the projects promoting press freedom and media pluralism, development of community media, enhancing professional capacity and building partnerships for media improvements.
The media - newspapers, radio or television - are ways of informing people and prompting them to interact. Free and pluralistic media foster good and honest governments and make development investments fruitful. They are essential for the construction of democratic societies. Media are crucial for spurring economic growth and nurturing the democratic process. Media pluralism alone can guarantee every community the opportunity to express its concerns without exclusion or discrimination.

But serious inadequacies of media in many countries, from the Pacific Islands to the far corners of the African continent, from the Caribbean islands to conmmunities in the Andes mountains, prevent people from voicing their democratic aspirations, from sharing and accessing information, and from making life-saving decisions. UNESCO created the International Programme for the Development of Communication (IPDC) in 1980 to address these needs and to accelerate media development.

What is IPDC?

The IPDC is the only multilateral forum in the UN system designed to mobilize the international community to discuss and promote media development in developing countries. The Programme not only provides support for media projects but also seeks an accord to secure a healthy environment for the growth of free and pluralistic media in developing countries.

For political and ethical rasons, multilateral cooperation is the most appropriate way of promoting media development. International assistance provided through IPDC does not interfere with the integrity and independence of media institutions. Since its inception in 1980, the IPDC has channelled more than US$90 million to more than 1,000 media development projects in 135 countries. The IPDC recently underwent several important reforms to gain maximum efficiency in programme administration, funding and project implementation.

More than ever, the IPDC now strives to realize more effective media projects that empower people to gain equitable access to knowledge and express themselves through free and pluralistic media.

Join hands with the IPDC in developing meaningful media environments in which people can express their concerns, investigate, discuss, gain knowledge and reject violence.


Contacts

UNESCO Regional Advisers for Communication and Information English (file) List of Regional Advisers.doc <

http://portal.unesco.org/ci/en/file_download.php/2510a243db25145f610dd43f0bffc2b8List+of+Regional+Advisers.doc>
UNESCO Contacts

Wijayananda Jayaweera Director Communication Development Division

http://portal.unesco.org/ci/en/ev.php-URL_ID=16804&URL_DO=DO_TOPIC&URL_SECTION=201.html
E-Mail w.jayaweera@unesco.org

Phone Work +33.1 45 68 41 98

Street 1, rue Miollis

City Paris

Postal Code 75732

Country France



Vladimir Gai Chief of Section Communication Development Division

http://portal.unesco.org/ci/en/ev.php-URL_ID=16809&URL_DO=DO_TOPIC&URL_SECTION=201.html
E-Mail v.gai@unesco.org

Phone Work + 33.1 45 68 40 89

Fax + 33.1 45 68 55 85

Street 1, rue Miollis

City Paris

Postal Code 75732

Country France



Valéri Nikolski Programme Specialist Communication Development Division

http://portal.unesco.org/ci/en/ev.php-URL_ID=16821&URL_DO=DO_TOPIC&URL_SECTION=201.html
E-Mail v.nikolski@unesco.org

Phone Work + 33.1 45 68 42 68

Fax + 33.1 45 68 55 79

Street 1, rue Miollis

City Paris

Postal Code 75732

Country France

Source: http://www.unesco.org/webworld/ipdc