Conference highlights power of peace radio

Because of its close connection to everyday people, radio offers a unique platform for peacebuilding.

That theme was prominently displayed at Park University on Oct. 26 as conference participants discussed, “Radio as an Effective Peacebuilding Tool: Achievements from Africa and America.”

The discussion began with a three-way Skype between Park University and peacebuilders from the

Via Skype, Rev. Fobang (l) and Alexander Vojvoda (r).

Cameroon Community Media Network (CCMN). Alexander Vojvoda and Reverend Geraldine Fobang introduced the 45 attendees to the CCMN, which is an association of media houses seeking to develop Cameroonian media and practice peace journalism. They discussed two recent peace journalism projects in Cameroon, one of which was raided and shut down by police.

Rev. Fobang also discussed the many steps taken to promote peace by the radio station she manages, CBS radio in Bamenda. These include a program called “Eyole-Wind of Peace” and a radio drama titled, “A Call for Peace.” Vojvoda discussed as well the importance of community media as a way to leverage peace journalism, provide a voice to the voiceless in Anglophone communities, and build bridges between communities in conflict.

The peacebuilding activities by CBS and CCMN are occurring against a backdrop of escalating conflict between rebels in Anglophone regions and Francophone authorities. October has been an especially difficult month, the presenters noted, due to the presidential election and one-year anniversary of the declaration of an independent Anglophone “nation” in northwest and southwest Cameroon.

The conversation then moved to East Africa. I discussed how radio has become a peacebuilding tool in that region, and played audio stories for the audience. These included peace and electoral journalism radio reports from Uganda and peace and reconciliation journalism stories from South Sudan.

The ability of radio to foster conversations was emphasized not only in Africa but in Kansas City as well. Speakers from two KC radio stations discussed how their outlets have fostered peace.

Laura Ziegler and Ron Jones from public radio station KCUR presented about the station’s “Here to Listen” community engagement project. Ziegler said the project was “designed to tell stories from the perspective of those who live the story.” Stories disseminated by this project are underreported tales from small towns around Kansas City which are told to “build empathy on all sides,” according to Jones.

KCUR's Laura Ziegler

Ziegler and Jones also discussed KCUR’s “Beyond our Borders” initiative which, in the truest spirit of peace journalism, seeks to build bridges across Kansas City’s geographical and racial boundaries and, in Ziegler’s words, “to defy stereotypes.”

The radio and peacebuilding event concluded with a presentation by Spencer Graves, board member of community radio station KKFI. He gave examples of peace initiatives broadcast by KKFI or disseminated on its website, including events and rallies by PeaceWorks Kansas City.

The Oct. 26 radio session was part of a three-day Greater Kansas City Peacebuilding Conference which featured a keynote address from Ambassador Bill Taylor, executive vice president of the United States Institute of Peace. He discussed USIP’s peacebuilding efforts in Iraq and Afghanistan, and surprised many when he stated that he has hopes of a negotiated settlement with the Taliban in Afghanistan.

The conference was jointly sponsored by the Center for Global Peace Journalism at Park University (Parkville, MO), Johnson County Community College (Kansas), the International Relations Council (greater Kansas City), and Avila University (Kansas City).