Wed, 6 Mar 2013
Students from the University of East Anglia are bringing different communities and cultures together by twinning a Norwich radio station with ones in France and China.
The masters students from the School of International Development are working with Norwich’s Future Radio to develop links with RC2, a radio station that serves Rouen in France, and Phoenix U Radio, based in Hong Kong, China. The project aims to extend the partnership and community engagement activities of the stations and involves sharing radio content and ideas, and promoting cultural exchanges.
Commenting on the work with RC2, student Chantal Foyer said: "We believe that this project is a great opportunity both for Future Radio and the twinning associations to broaden their activities both locally and abroad. We are really excited to introduce more French music and culture into the Norwich community and create a friendship between two community radio stations."
Future Radio station manager Terry Lee said: “As Norwich is twinned with Rouen in France, it seems natural that these two cities link their community radio stations too. Radio is the theatre of the mind and this project will really help to give the people of Rouen an image of our vibrant fine city,” said Mr Lee, “We are looking forward to sharing content, ideas, and hopefully visits with our new radio brothers and sisters soon.”
The students have been invited to present details about their work with RC2 to the Lord Mayor of Norwich and the Norfolk and Norwich Rouen Friendship Association committee members later this month.
The work is part of a media and development in practice module run by the School of International Development, which gives students the opportunity to work with charities and media organisations in Norwich to help them meet the needs of the local community.
As well as the radio station twinning project, students have been working with BBC Voices to help design their new online community video platform, and with Norfolk Education and Action for Development (NEAD), a development education charity, helping to improve their online presence. The students are also helping to generate more videos about international development for YourWorldView, an online platform for new and emerging filmmakers to showcase their short films, documentaries and other multimedia content about international issues.
