February 07, 2020

Children’s Radio Foundation mobilises Africa’s youths

topic:	Human Rights
tags:	#Africa, #Africa’s youth, #climate crisis, #environmental activism, #HIV/AIDS, #gun violence, #gender equality, #Children’s Radio Foundation
located:	Liberia, South Africa, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Tanzania, Zambia, Ivory Coast (Côte d'Ivoire)
by:	Yair Oded

With internet access still unavailable in large swaths of Africa, radio proves to be an effective tool to disseminate information. According to the most recent statistics gathered (2011), only about 6.2 percent of Africans have internet access, compared with 80 percent who have access to the radio.  

The radio also proves to be an incredible tool to mobilise communities, and particularly youths, around pressing social and environmental issues and challenges. 

The Children’s Radio Foundation is a non-profit organisation which uses radio training and broadcasting to inspire dialogue, community building, and leadership among African youths.

Established in 2006, the Children’s Radio Foundation currently runs 72 programs in 6 African countries (Democratic Republic of Congo, Ivory Coast, Liberia, South Africa, Tanzania and Zambia). They partner with organizations and local mentors in order to grant youths the skills and tools needed to create radio programs that spark a conversation about issues that affect them and are informed by local perspectives. 

Children are encouraged to develop a dialogue around and forge community solutions to pressing challenges, all the while developing their communication and critical thinking skills. 

Among the top issues discussed by youths on radio programs are HIV/AIDS, gun violence, gender-based violence, and the climate crisis. 

“Youth leadership at the local level is driving change on a global scale. This is especially evident in our multi-county initiative on climate change. In all six countries where we facilitate our programs, young reporters bring awareness to consumption practices, both of common resources and consumer goods. They are challenging their peers and communities to adopt sustainable ways on a resource finite planet, turning both to technology and traditional knowledge systems to do this,” state the organisation’s leaders in its 2018 Annual Report. 

Please visit the Children’s Radio Foundation website to learn more about its operations and programs, listen to broadcasts, or pledge a donation. 

Image: ©Sydelle Willow Smith via Children's Radio Foundation website.