Highlighting the importance of communication

In July 2006, during a coordination and communication planning meeting, some Latin American organizations had expressed a wish to create a network for information on community work, which would strengthen the work of social movements and allow for a better articulation of their objectives in the region. The training workshop thus welcomed members of organizations from across Central America, including Mesa Nacional Campesina [1] from Costa Rica, and Consejo Nacional de Trabajadores del Campo [2] from Guatemala. The objective was to discuss mass media, different models of exchange, and the various ways people communicate.

The construction of a message is determined by the power structure: parents/children, teachers/students, or employer/employee. Thus, from Monday to Wednesday, following the participants’ presentations, discussions on the dynamics of communication took place: how to adapt communication to increase dialogue between organizations and grassroots networks. The two last days brought this all together, with work evaluations, discussions on techniques and tools of communication, and group work on the best course to follow to communicate better. Minga Informativa, supported by CLOC, brought up the four fundamental elements that characterize popular communication. The organization contends that without coordination between different social movements and a shared strategic vision of communication, community-based communication cannot develop. A creative use of new information and communication technologies, along with an organization of training places, is also essential.

Cooperating for a more equal development

Most of the social movements present at this workshop want to express the feelings of their local communities, and raise awareness on issues relating to politics, society, culture, tourism, etc., in local languages. They want to use any means available—theater, music, dance, painting—to reach as many people as possible. The workshop provided the occasion to decide on strategies to prevent several community radio stations from closing. For this first workshop, 18 people from Mexico, Guatemala, Honduras, Costa Rica, and Cuba looked at how their respective social organizations operate. Edgardo Garcia, secretary of ATC, noted that their desire to work together should expand into other areas: “Thirty percent of agricultural workers in Costa Rica are Nicaraguan. If ever we decided to no longer move there, they would not be able to survive economically.” The emphasis was thus put on exchange in all areas, which is why the motto for this meeting in February 2007 was: “integration, continuity, transformation.”

Also read: Résonances Latin America N°13 - April 2007