From the 25th to the 29th of November, 2014 the National and International Indigenous Forum on Communication and Public Policy will take place at the Universidad Autónoma Indígena e Intercultural (UAII) in Popayán, Colombia. This event is expected to continue with the work of the two previous Summits that took place in Cauca, Colombia and Oaxaca, Mexico respectively. It will be the third Continental Summit on Indigenous Communications, which aims to discuss and provide information on the current state of indigenous media around the world. The summit will also provide strategies and advocacy training in order to strengthen the fight for effective recognition of communication rights for Indigenous Peoples.
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Anselmo Xunic, Sobrevivencia Cultural's representative speaks on the current situation of community radios in Guatemala at the Forum in Popayán, Colombia. Photo credit: Anselmo Xunic
Cultural Survival’s team member, Anselmo Xunic, will be participating on behalf of the community radio movement in Guatemala, along with two other representatives from Asociacion Mujb’ ab’l yol. Anselmo, who also participated in the second summit in Oaxaca, Mexico is excited to continue the conversations and work in a new environment. Anselmo will be presenting on the current communication laws in Guatemala and how Indigenous radios mobilize to protect themselves and their work.
The summit will also focus on the Indigenous communication process of Abya Yala in legislation, public policy and law with regards to Indigenous Communication in Colombia. It will emphasize existing international instruments that can enforce the right of Indigenous communities to own their community media, like radio and television.
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Participants at the Forum in Colombia speak enthusiastically about the opportunities these types of events bring to indigenous communities around the world. Photo credit: Anselmo Xunic
Culminating the event will be a series of panels that discuss future work to be done and planning for the IV Continental Summit that is expected to occur in Bolivia in 2016. Many countries that are taking a lead in defending the right of indigenous peoples to own their own communication are expected to participate. This Forum is expected to produce a wealth of material that will help Indigenous Peoples everywhere to continue the fight for their rights.
