With IMS as the host, the workshop was conducted at the French Institute, in Sanchaung Township, Rangoon. About six trainers with extensive experience in community radio and other media sectors led the workshop.

Birgitte Jallov the principal workshop trainer said: “The objective of this first workshop was to kick start a process of reflection and increase understanding and knowledge among the core stakeholders in Myanmar [Burma] around the future implementation of community radio as part of the new broadcast law.”

Birgitte Jallov, who also wrote the book 'Empowerment Radio: Voices Building a Community', explained that this was the first of several workshops and more will be announced in the following months.

In subsequent workshops different topics will be covered. These will include capacity building, the involvement of women and youth in radio, identifying areas for pilot community radio stations, broadcast techniques, technical training, management, strategic planning, and fundraising from donors.

The workshops will also cover the process of building and understanding partnerships and national networks with people like parliamentarians and media groups.

Jallov went on to say: “We will also identify coaches in different areas and provide them with training so that they can then train their own people in their communities.”

The workshop attracted more than 50 participants from different organizations, including individual reporters and youth activists. Media organisations that attended included the Karen Information Center (KIC), Mizzima, Chin World Media, The Mirror, Action Aid (Myanmar), Northern-Shan Women Network, and Myanmar National Radio.

“It was a very interesting workshop. This was the first time I have taken take part in this kind of workshop and I have learnt a lot. I also learnt what community radio is and the differences between community radio and other kinds of radio. I also gained a new experience because the workshop was provided by trainers from foreign countries,” said U Ba Aye, a participant who is an ethnic Lahu from Shan State.

He continued: “I would also like to join the next workshops. After that, if we can obtain a radio registration and license, I also have plans to work with locals in our community to help set up a community radio station.”

The workshop was a one-day icebreaker workshop and was the first of its kind to be conducted in Rangoon. Upon the success of this initial workshop a series of follow-up workshops will be hosted in turn by the IMS, Fojo, DWA, and UNDP-Myanmar. They will be held over the next three months and through the early autumn of 2015.

Edited in English by Mark Inkey for BNI