Highlights of the Week » Press Releases » Success stories » Newsletters »
	Proper Treatment of Malaria Saving Lives begins in Community Saving Lives Creating Hope What is USAID? What does USAID do in Rwanda? Will you send me information on USAID activities in Rwanda? How can I receive funding from USAID/Rwanda? Does USAID fund higher education, training, and research in the United States for Rwandans? How do I apply for a job with USAID/Rwanda? How can I do business with USAID/Rwanda? Web Site People (Last Name) Publications Advanced search options...

Kigali, Rwanda│Thursday, December 14, 2006

Excitement is building among teenagers and young adults in three Central African countries as a new, live radio talk show geared toward youth rapidly gains recognition and enthusiastic participation.

“Generation Grands Lacs” (“The Great Lakes Generation”) is a unique effort to establish dialogue among youths in three, African “Great Lakes” countries -- Rwanda, Burundi and Democratic Republic of Congo –where a history of ethnic hostilities has left a legacy of mutual suspicion and mistrust. Now this region’s future citizens and leaders have an opportunity to explore ways to avoid conflict and build peace by tuning in every Saturday afternoon to one of four of their favorite radio stations.

An initiative of the international nongovernmental organization, Search for Common Ground, which specializes in conflict transformation through media, “Generation Grands Lacs” is a one-year project funded by USAID/Rwanda. The live broadcasts -- presented in French but able to host callers in Kinyarwanda, Kirundi, Lingala, Swahili and English -- rotate among Rwandan stations Contact FM in Kigali and Radio Salus at the National University of Rwanda in Butare; Radio Maendeleo in Bukavu, Democratic Republic of Congo; and Radio Isanganiro in Bujumbura, Burundi. The other stations then pick up the webstreaming and rebroadcast it live on FM, reaching out to the growing audience that includes a network of 600 youths participating in 20 listening clubs region-wide.

Using the skills and resources of the radio stations’ journalists and producers, the programs invite listener discussion via telephone, text-messaging and e-mail on such topics as stereotypes, freedom of expression, youth and authority, interpreting history, recognizing manipulation and “mixed” marriage. Program content features live talk, guest interviews and pre-recorded productions, including theatrical sketches produced by La Benevolencija, a Dutch NGO which communicates messages aimed at preventing mass violence, addressing trauma and contributing to justice.

Search for Common Ground (SFCG) has been working in the Great Lakes – notably Burundi and the Democratic Republic of Congo -- since 1995. DRC director Lena Slachmuijlder says this project is reinforcing both SFCG’s and USAID’s commitment to supporting a new generation of engaged, informed and responsible youth able to address conflicts positively – particularly in the wake of the 1994 Rwandan genocide.

“The fact that USAID wanted to do radio is great,” Slachmuijlder said, “but to work hand-in-hand with the radio stations is very smart. This is a strategic moment that we’re in, where there’s some very serious state-building going on in Rwanda. We have the opportunity to build on that, particularly in the area of journalism, media, and freedom of expression, and USAID is being very strategic in moving that forward.”

USAID/Rwanda Director Kevin J. Mullally points out how the project addresses issues of conflict. "We’re using radio positively to promote understanding and tolerance",he said. “The added value is that the radio program is regional, and speaks not only to ethnic and cultural divides and stereotypes, but also to generational and gender concerns.”

Back to Top ^