Here is the Craol report on the June 18th Conference with a few of my rather low res. camera phone photos.
It was the first Craol conference but the signs are already there that it won't be the last.
A booked out attendance heard a rich mix of speakers reflecting both on the current state of community radio and its future role. There was a significant presence of start up stations, and NGO representatives demonstrating the growing appeal of community radio. An interesting scheduling approach meant that speakers were not from community radio stations themselves but from the funders, researchers, the Community and Voluntary, NGOs and service users.
With events like Féile three weeks ago, providing an opportunity for stations to share experience between themselves, the conference was the chance for the sector to start a conversation with the wider world.
The opening Address was delivered by Steve Buckley, president of AMARC, who outlined the global community radio movement of which Craol and it's member stations are a part, with inspiring stories of community radio acting as a force for positive change. Anne O'Brien of NUI Maynooth then outlined the findings of recent BAI funded research into the social benefit provided by Community Radio with insights into how the culture of the stations affect the level of engagement and participation. Anne was followed by the personal story of Kevin Kelly, struck blind since the age of 14 and a volunteer with ICR FM since 15. Michael O'Keefe the Chief executive of the BAI then outlined how the BAI views and supports the sector. Michael described how the new Broadcasting Act places, provides a platform for the BAI to recognise the beneficial outcome of broadcasting and he launched the Community Broadcast Support Scheme 2010) before the conference broke into 3 parallel workshops on building a media literacy literacy work with Jack Byrne, global issues and local actions facilitated by Steve Buckley, and practicalities for start up stations with Diarmuid McIntyre
After lunch, thoughts turned towards the future of community radio with compelling presentations from Kevin Moran, Niamh Farren, and Deirdre Garvey reflecting on why Community radio is relevant to their organisations work and the challenges it faces to realising it's full potential as a force for positive change. Kevin Moran stressed the direct link between good governance which is accountable and representative of the community serves and engages with, and the impacts that a station has on that community. Kevin also made clear the value for public money that investment in Community radio represented with each euro not just impact positively on communities but also acting as multiplier for further community investment. Niamh Farren of Aontas described Community Radio stations as 'learning sites' with a huge potential for delivering training that made a difference to peoples lives way beyond the confines of the station. Deirdre Garvey of the Wheel described community radio as a "stimulus package for community" and stressed that the 25,000 community and voluntary organisations in Ireland represent 25,000 opportunities for engagement and participation.
The conference headed towards a close with a wide-ranging panel discussion on "Our nation and the future role of community radio" facilitated by Paula Healy of the Craol Co-ordinating Committee" Craol Chair Kevin Griffiths. The need to widen the dialogue to internet developments and non-broadcast community media activity pointed up one of the challenges for the future.
In the closing address, Bob Collins, the chair of the BAI recognised that Community radio was a vibrant movement, and challenged the movement to surround itself not with mirrors reflecting back it's own sense of priority but with windows which allow for partnership and dialogue. The structure of the conference certainly reflected that approach and Discussions on Friday night were already turning to the need to replicate the event next year.
Stephen O'Brien
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