Quechua Language Radio Program on the Information Superhighway
How often have we heard that the internet and other new communications
technologies will bring about a homogenised world in which we all
share the culture of ciberspace and speak the same language?
ñUQANCHIK, a project that combines the internet, radio and one of the
most important indigenous languages of Latin America is questioning
this view by promoting grassroots linguistic and cultural diversity.
A joint project of the Agencia Informativa Púlsar, the Red Científica
Peruana (Peruvian Scientific Network - RCP) and the Peruvian Centre
for Social Studies (Centro Peruano de Estudios Sociales - CEPES),
ñUQANCHIK, will feature 10 to 12 minutes of radio programming
delivered to radio stations via email. The project begins today August
19. ñUQANCHIK, Quechua for WE or US, will be produced in Quechua, a
language spoken by at least 8 million people in the Andean region. The
programming will be distributed in the RealAudio format.
Radio has long been the most important medium for Quechua communities
in Latin America - in Peru alone it is estimated that there are 180
radio stations that regularly broadcast in Quechua. Taking advantage
of the possibilities offered by the internet, ñUQANCHIK seeks to
promote cultural exchanges among the Quechua-speaking communities, to
contribute to the establishment of a Quechua language radio network,
and to maintain the Quechua-speaking community better informed about
events and issues in Latin America and the Andean region.
The radio program will allow communities from various towns, regions
and countries to inform others about their culture, their work, and
their knowledge. They will be able to air their complaints and share
their proposals with other Quechua speakers. And they will be able to
express their beliefs, fears, happiness and celebrations.
ñUQANCHIK's daily programs will be participatory, encouraging the
active participation of the radio stations, of internet users, and of
the indigenous communities.
In addition to the radio productions, the project will setup and
maintain a web site featuring Quechua culture and will establish an
electronic list about the ancient language and culture.
The radio programs will be available via the webpage or sent directly
to subscribers' electronic mailboxes by email. Peruvian radio stations
will be able to make use of the public internet booths (cabinas
públicas) that the RCP is promoting in numerous centres of the
country.
The Agencia Informativa Púlsar, headquartered in Ecuador, is a Latin
American radio news agency that distributes its services via the
internet. It offers three news bulletins daily to 700 subscribers in
46 countries. Its Spanish-language services are primarily directed at
independent and community radio stations in Latin America and the
Caribbean.
Founded in 1976, CEPES promotes the democratic development of Peruvian
society, with a particular focus on rural sectors. Among other
projects, CEPES produces "Tierra Fecunda", a daily bilingual radio
program in Quechua and Spanish.
The Peruvian Scientific network (RCP) is a not-for-profit association
that seeks to promote communication among scientific, academic and
development institutions in Peru amd to operate an internet service at
the national level, providing Peruvians with a national network of
networks and an entry point to the internet.
For more information:
Agencia Informativa Púlsar
Quito, Ecuador
Tel/Fax: 593-2-501-180 o 593-2-551674
Email: bgirard@pulsar.org.ec
http://www.web.net/amarc/pulsar.html
CEPES
Lima, Perú
Tel: 51-1-433-6610 o 51-1-433-6662
Email: alerta@cepes.org.pe
Red Científica Peruana
Lima, Perú
Tel: 51-1-9544799 o 51-1-241-5689
Fax: 51-1-241-1320
casalvi@quena.rcp.net.pe
http://ekeko.rcp.net.pe
NUQANCHIK is supported by the United Nations Educational, Scientific
and Cultural Organisation - UNESCO - and associated with the World
Association of Community Radio Broadcasters - AMARC.
___________________________________________________
Bruce Girard Agencia Informativa Pulsar
Email: bgirard@pulsar.org.ec
http://www.web.net/amarc/pulsar.html
Fono/Fax: +593-2-501 180 o 551 674
Fax en Montreal, Canada: +1-514-221-2009
Av. Atahualpa 333, Casilla 17-08-8489, Quito, Ecuador
