GRASSROOTS MEDIA AWARENESS IN SOLOMONS
HONIARA: 24th September -- Directors of Communications in Archdiocesan offices might sound a grandiose title, tying said directors to a computer, radio, whatever. But perhaps not so in the Solomon Islands. Fr. Ambrose Pereira, the SI Director, has many hundreds of islands - indeed thousands, depending on one's definition of an island - to contend with, and has adopted some grassroots tactics to get out into the field and develop media awareness where it matters, amongst the people. He is regularly assisted by Mr. Joe Vidiki, radio programmer at Catholic Communications, and by others, passim.
Most recently, the team visited Visale at the Northwestern end of Guadalcanal Island. Visale has seen the worst of tensions and fighting in recent conflict, but now is peaceful. The DMI (Daughters of Mary Immaculate), a local Congregation, is flourishing in the area with 8 novices, and ti was here, att he DMI Convent, that the most recent Media Awarness gathering took place. Assisting the group was a freelance journalist from Namibia ( a long way away!). The seminar offered understandings on print media and electronic communications, especially radio which is so important for local communities in island nations.
