World Radio Day 2016 on 13 February #Infographic

World Radio Day 2016 poster

"This year, the UNESCO theme for World Radio Day is “Radio in Times of Emergency and Disaster”.  Radio still remains the medium that reaches the widest audience worldwide, in the quickest possible time. 

Through World Radio Day celebrations around the world, UNESCO will promote radio in times of emergency and disaster, and put forward the following messages:
Freedom of expression and journalists’ safety should be disaster-proof.
Radio empowers survivors and vulnerable people, whose right to privacy is to be respected. 

Radio has social impact and provides access to information. People’s right to information should be protected even in times of emergency and disaster.
Radio saves lives.  

The immediate accessibility of radio frequencies is essential to saving lives. These frequencies should be protected so they are available in times of emergency.
On 13 February, international broadcasters will broadcast live on UNESCO’s dedicated website, www.worldradioday.org. 

Through National Commissions for UNESCO Field Offices and partner organisations, World Radio Day will be celebrated worldwide. UNESCO will also provide copyright free articles, audio and video messages from opinion leaders, celebrities, and UNESCO Goodwill Ambassadors related to radio for use by broadcasters on World Radio Day.
UNESCO invites all countries to celebrate World Radio Day by planning activities in partnership with regional, national and international broadcasters, non-governmental organizations, national authorities, the media and the public."

Several themes are addressed this year. See the Infographic below.

Radio empowers survivors and vulnerable people, whose right to privacy is to be respected.

Radio saves lives.

Radio promotes freedom of expression and journalists’ safety should be disaster-proof

Radio has social impact and provides access to information. People’s right to information should be protected.

Radio frequencies should be protected in times of emergency.

READ MORE: World Radio Day 2016

Free professional development through peer mentorship - apply now at ILN

Photo: ‘Globe post card sample 1’ CC-BY-2.0 by Михаил Чуркин

The International Librarians Network is a great opportunity to enhance your own professional development through contact with a global peer mentor. A round is in a 4 month cycle, with two facilitated discussion points each month!

Even if you don't get a very responsive peer mentor, you will still be able to gain valuable global insight through the discussion points, social media updates and Twitter chats.

Want to build your professional network and learn about librarianship around the world? Love the idea of professional travel but just don’t have the budget? The International Librarians Network (ILN) is for you. We are pleased to announce the next round of this popular program will commence in early March 2016. 

The ILN peer mentoring program is a facilitated program aimed at helping librarians develop international networks. Participating in the ILN brings wider professional awareness, an international perspective to your work, new ideas, and increased professional confidence. We know this because many of our participants tell us – and we’ve had over 3500 librarians from 120+ countries take part so far. 

Applications for the next round of partnerships will open in mid January and close at midnight on Monday 15th February 2016. Numbers are limited, so apply early to ensure you don’t miss out. 

The ILN is open to anyone working (or studying) in the library and information industry around the world. The program is free and the only requirements to participate are an internet connection, fluent English skills, an hour each week and a desire to build professional connections and learn from colleagues.  

Get involved now! Find out more about the way the program works, or apply online.

Read more:

- 5 reasons to join the ILN peer mentoring program

- 5 reasons why you need to be a peer mentor

by Karen du Toit, ILN Ambassador for South Africa