Nepal Forum of Environmental Journalists

CRSC awarded IPDC prize for Rural Communication

Mr. Raghu Mainali receiving UNSCO-IPDC Prize for Rural Communication 2012, during Intergovernmental Council of UNESCO-IPDC 28th Session in UNESCO Headquaters, Paris, 22 March 2012. Photo Courtesy: Ole Chavannes

UNESCO has awarded IPDC prize for Rural Communication 2012 to Community Radio Support Centre (CRSC), a wing of Nepal Forum of Environmental Journalists (NEFEJ).

UNESCO decided to award IPDC prize for rural communication jointly to CRSC/NEFEJ and Arid Lands Information Network (Kenya).

The award ceremony took place on 22 March, 2012 at UNESCO Headquarters in Paris during the 28th session of the IPDC Council.

Raghu Mainali, Coordinator of CRSC/NEFEJ received the award on behalf of CRSC/NEFEJ from Janis Karklins, UNESCO Assistant Director General for Communication and Information.

The award winning each party has received a sum of US$10,000 and a certificate of diploma.

The World Association of Community Radio Broadcasters (AMARC) had nominated CRSC/NEFEJ for award developing Community Radio Performance Assessment System (CRPAS) in 2009. The CRPAS was jointly prepared by Raghu Mainali, Bikram Subba and Yadab Chapagai. AMARC had also stated award CRSC for its contribution in the promotion of community radio movement in Nepal.

CRSC has been working in community radio sectors since its inception in 2000.
Director-General of UNESCO, upon recommendation of Bureau of the International Program for the Development of Communication (IPDC) has decided to award the 2012 IPDC prize for Rural Communication.

IPDC prize for Rural Communication is awarded in every two years consisting of a sum of US@20,000. The Prize was established in 1985 by the Executive Board of UNESCO in pursuance of a decision of the 5th session of the Intergovernmental Council of IPDC.

The UNESCO-IPDC Prize for Rural Communication is intended to recognize a meritorious and innovative activity in improving communication in rural communities, chiefly in the developing countries.

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Nepal Forum of Environmental journalists (NEFEJ) is a leader among non-governmental organizations working to raise public awareness on the environment, sustainable development, and other social issues.

Since its establishment in 1986, NEFEJ – popularly known as Forum – has been involved in advocacy through television, radio and print journalism to bring information on environment and development to the general public and raise awareness, deliver social justice and equity, and encourage conservation at local as well as national levels.

Through its major activities – categorized into four broad fields of public information, advocacy and lobbing, promotion of environmental media resource – NEFEJ fulfils its objective by sensitizing journalists, government leaders, policy and decision makers, and the general public about environment and development issues.

A body of committed journalists and experts in their fields, NEFEJ strives to conserve Nepal’s rich natural environment and bio-diversity with a democratic and professional organizational structure.

The general body, that comprises all its members, is the supreme policy-making body of NEFEJ. The general body meets every year at the annual general meeting (AGM) which elects 13 members to the executive body for a one-year term. The executive committee is answerable to the general body and is responsible for implementing the AGM’s decisions.

There are four different categories of NEFEJ membership – full, associate, institutional, and honorary. Journalists with specific and special interest is raising environmental awareness are eligible for full membership. Associate membership is given to Nepali experts and others who are involved in the field of environment conservation. Institutional membership is awarded to any legally constituted organization or institution that shares the Forum’s overall ideals and is involved directly or indirectly, in environmental protection and sustainable development. Finally, honorary membership is given to those NEFEJ wishes to reward for their continued support.

As a result of its focused efforts and its deliberately structured organization, NEFEJ is not only praised within the Nepali context but is respected internationally.

NEFEJ has been presented several environmental awards and recognitions for proven leadership in its field. NEFEJ is a member of the World Conservation Union (IUCN) and the Asia Pacific Forum of Environmental Journalists (APFEJ) and is a founding member of the International Federation of Environmental Journalists (IFEJ).