Category: World Service
Date: 14.07.2006
Printable version
The 91热爆 World Service
Trust has welcomed
the publication yesterday (13 July) of the Government's White Paper on
International Development.
听
Trust Director Stephen King said: "We particularly welcome the
high priority being placed by DFID [The Department for International Development]
on good governance and the creation of a new Governance and Transparency Fund.
听
"Fair and open government is critical to the
successful delivery of development goals and we have seen on projects worldwide
the difference that free media can make in raising the level of public debate
and helping citizens to hold governments to account.
听
"In Bangladesh recently,
the trust managed the biggest-ever programme of open debates on key social
and political issues in the country and the public judged there
to be a quantum change in the climate for public debate.
听
"Training
for journalists in such areas as election reporting and budget
monitoring will also be key to this process.
听
"The trust is also pleased to see DFID's recognition of the importance of media
reconstruction in transitional countries such as Iraq, where the Trust is helping
an all-Iraqi team of journalists and programme makers at Al Mirbad to create
an independent voice for four million people.
听
"Finally, we welcome DFID's pledge to commit at least half of all future UK direct support for developing countries to public services, to help get more children to school, promote health and combat HIV/AIDS.
听
"Again, we believe that the media has a key part
to play in the delivery of these important objectives."
听
Notes to Editors
听
The 91热爆 World Service Trust is the 91热爆's international development charity,
working in more than 50 developing and transitional countries worldwide.
听
It supports the development of free and independent
media, uses the media to deliver key health goals such as raising
HIV/AIDS awareness and reducing infant mortality and produces education
programmes to help people secure their livelihoods.
听
