Memories and Perspectives of the OURMedia Network Conference

These remarks by Alfonso Gumucio Dagron opened the April 2007 OURMedia conference, titled "Sustainable Futures: Roles & Challenges for Community, Alternative and Citizens' Media in the 21st Century". He spoke of the risks and opportunities faced by the expanding media network and its work on issues of community media, alternative media, citizens’ media, or "radical media, as some might call it". He reviews the history of the conference - beginning in 2001 as an extension of larger congresses, until 2003 when it took place in Colombia in partnership with the Universidad del Norte in Barranquilla, with the following years in Brazil and India - and discusses its importance.

As stated here, the conference unites activists, scholars, and practitioners from a field in which a gap still exists between the academic studies on communication and the needs for social change. "Most university departments self-labelled as “social communication” are narrowly oriented to conventional mass media: press, television, radio, as well as advertising, public relations and marketing." Gumucio has found 2,000 “social communication” departments or faculties, primarily training journalists, of which 15 relate to communication for social change, primarily training communicators. He distinguishes between a journalist and a communicator by describing communicators as facilitators having a strategic perspective of communication for development, many of whom can work at the community level with participatory approaches.

As Gumucio speaks of the challenges of a sustained effort of "commitment of this collective of academics and practitioners", he says that the continuous renewal of the OURMedia network constitutes its main potential. He emphasises active and critical participation, distinguishing this organisation and its conferences by suggesting that it is not simply an exhibition of work or research by individuals. He states, "The accounts of concrete experiences are useful, but we need to go further into discussing the principles that guide our work in communication for social change. This conference should not be a series of monologues and reports, but a true discussion on the ideas that drive us forward. As much as we want to learn about what the others are doing, we need to be more substantial. Sharing information is fine, but establishing a dialogue of ideas and ideals is even better."