UNICEF: Radio project gives voice to youth in Mexico

TENANGO, Mexico, 21 January 2008 When a 2006 teachers' strike in the State of Oaxaca caused students to miss school for several months, UNICEF and its education partner, Ciesas, saw an opportunity to help children in the poorest and most vulnerable communities. The resulting project gave these children their own radio programme and, more important, a voice.

In four cities and towns, including the remote village of Tenango, UNICEF and Ciesas gave children access to all the training and equipment necessary to record their own programmes. Because of Oaxaca's high concentration of indigenous people, children were encouraged to use their native languages, something that would have been unimaginable just a few years before.

"For more than 50 years, it was a political statement," Ciesas staff member Arturo Guerrero says, describing the prevailing attitude of the past: "If you want to be a Mexican citizen, forget about your native language. You must use Spanish in the schools."

Category:

Nonprofits & Activism

Tags:

• UNICEF
• Mexico
• radio
• Ciesas
• Oaxaca
• Tenanga
• children

[CrazyNative4]

the natives !

[Roxygirl1610]

some of the translations are slightly different form what she was saying

[silenciohospital]

Excelente programa, una radio para las voces del pueblo, en especial l@s jóvenes.