Blog Posts

A LOST SENSE

7/9/2013

Just because “non-governmental” is in the title of these organizations doesn’t mean they deserve to be shunned by their federal system like they are.

The leaders of NGOs do not demand anything from the government, yet politicians oppress their media rights and any voice in decision making for social issues.

Dr. A.T. Ariyaratne said media plays a critical role for any organization, but the government does not allow the media to shed light on their efforts. This not only inhibits them from gaining more attention nationally, but it also hinders the extensiveness their abilities could reach within society.

Though NGOs manage their own media, it still denounces the possibility of fusion between the state, civil society and private sector. The lack of civil society representation in politics reduces the awareness of their role in society and eliminates the chance of organizations placing their issues on the agenda.

Their issues are those of the people.

Leaders of various NGOs in Morocco expressed their voiceless role in parliament due to positional leadership and societal codes.

Since there is no recognition in the federal system, these groups assume a revolutionary leadership to inspire change from the bottom-up.

This type of activism is the result of the lack of government respect and the absence of an ear for their needs.

There are two primary disconnects of communication within NGOs that restrain them from countering this problem.

First is the lack of a united grassroots’ voice. The diversity of organizations can lead to a polarization from within. Also, the sustainable NGOs typically disapprove of the international ones who enter with only a temporary cure then an exit strategy.

There is a need of unification between those who have similar purposes or an overarching bond of all groups from working at the same level.

Next is the lack of international media to gain publicity and investors. New forms of communication can network nations, but due to lack of resources, researched strategies and government censorship, NGOs are only slowly adapting to the use of these channels.

Lotfi Lamrani said the government doesn’t realize their efforts create a win-win-win relationship within the society. NGOs attract visitors, engage volunteers within their mission, which also builds cultural bridges, and their work aims to build-up the community.

Due to the lack of funds and governmental recognition, Lamrani said when working within grassroots, you thrive off a salary of happiness and understanding.

Though their optimistic and motivating outlook is genuine and sustains their movement, to elevate their needs onto the federal agenda there must be a change of consciousness in the policy makers.

As discussed about women’s rights in Morocco, to reach a change in consciousness there must be a spread of awareness to women and a shift in the men of government to change the laws.

THE THEORY PERSISTS

7/9/2013

My spring research theory was peace journalists can build their networks within NGOs, so they find alternative and localized sources instead of the typical authoritative ones.

Though networking within NGOs could lead to a social agenda of reports they want you to cover, it could also act as a great launching point to immerse in communities and learn more of their way of thinking.

Then again, the social reports would not be a priority during a time of conflict, so I’m still convinced they are the primary source to work within.

What I have noticed between Morocco and Sri Lanka is the contrast of NGO networks in both countries. Moroccan NGOs were linked by interest, and the various organizers were connected due to their community leadership roles.

I have not witnessed any connections Sarvodaya has with other NGOs. I understand this is due to the vast expansion of their organization, however it makes me wonder if they overshadow any other existing groups.

When immersing in a conflict or post-conflict area, it is critical to examine the layout of NGOs in the country and understand how they connect, if at all, with one another.

Independent of networks, there is a certain passion NGO members are fueled by. Their work doesn’t appear taxing on their attitudes, because as Mimi Bradly said, “it’s not work if your heart’s in it.”

This energy is not only inspirational, but it can serve as a positive and supportive network of people who want their work recognized and published. They’re not used to being spotlighted, so there would be a conducive environment for the writer to work within when searching for angles and stories.

NGOs are also the backbone of societies when their governments are distracted by war efforts and defense. Working within their area would be a direct exposition to what is happening and who is being affected.

I have also learned that NGOs are more knowledgeable of what will work locally, so their insight would offer solutions tailored for particular areas.

Attempts to aid and support would prove more successful with this knowledge than if a large Western country projected their own methods of success to help development. It is not sustainable or unique to delicate cultures caught in conflict or change.

Dr. A.T. Ariyaratne, founder and president of Sarvodaya, said culture is different societies’ development of how to satisfy human needs. He explained these developments are also how social aspects change; there must be new approaches and ways of thinking.

Much like peace journalism is an alternative way of delivering the news, NGOs understand the need for a fresh method to make change happen. It’s a new game plan, an innovative angle.

THIS CENTURY'S LEADER

7/9/2013

A leader has no power. The power is in his community and foundation.

There were various comments over our trip on how to redefine leadership. Strung together they crafted a fresh type of position.

The new definition flips hierarchy; the leader is a server within his community and team, not the commander. This also ties in the need for the leader to be connected on the ground by being involved in field work, not just the politics.

The strength of one’s community is strongest when the leader recognizes the various talents within the foundation, so individuals are encouraged to take their own lead on projects in their field. It’s important for the leader to have an eye for strengths and talents within the people.

Attention to detail is critical for any work, however the redefined leader does not focus on the minute aspects. That is the responsibility of the specialized talents addressed and highlighted already.

This bond and network of talents also avoids any feelings of inferiority by the people. There must be a mutual respect, which can be gained by the leader taking initiatives and proving the hands-on approach both in thinking and lifestyle.

All of this requires a deep connection to a community or unit, however criticism is a key trait to a successful leader. There should be multiple occasions of the leader stepping of out of the comfort community circle to be exposed to those who are different.

This not only provides insight and builds connections, but it is a chance for raw feedback from those who don’t really care about feelings. They care about actions.

It also exercises the leader’s ability to be multi-faced and omnipresent, which were other aspects of the redefinition. Flexible communication skills are also necessary for these engagements to be both meaningful and balanced.

As the leader moves through this involvedness, it is more than a role of servitude and building up others. In the mindset of Shramadana with Sarvodaya, “We build the road, and the road will build us.”

One who works to construct will be able to look back and see not only a finished project but a progressed self.

Through it all, the self is the most challenging obstacle. As Lotfi Lamrani said, “war happens in the mind, not in the battlefield. ”

crossing over

7/9/2013

Cross-disciplinary efforts will resolve the scientific approach both to research and work according to Dr. Lawrence.

As we sift through our century’s problems, he said complex global solution finders must pull from both tool kits, science and social.

Universities need to encourage or cater to new overlaps of interests that may not traditionally go together, because the new twists and dynamics multi-disciplined people can offer, the more diverse and understanding the solutions will be.

Complexity and overlaps are key traits of the 21st century.

Lawrence’s lecture revolved around science and technology, and he said the scientific approach limits the abilities of these aspects. He confirmed my question that disconnect between art, science and communication is not unique to America. It’s a global issue.

This is not the only weakness in cross-disciplinary tactics, but there is also a lack of motivation to fuse these three.

Local problems must be identified to have global affects, but the power lies in the bulging population of youth who must learn to empower themselves to create jobs that would interweave their varied interests. Tackling local issues demands a creative approach, and no one is going to make them happen outside of the locale.

The energy and dynamic ways of thinking is within the younger generations who have been pushed through education and now wait jobless for something to come up.

There is a need to intertwine disciplines, forget boundaries and find solutions in the oddities. These experimentations are ideal for local efforts, because it results in immediate feedback, qualitative results and passionate organizers.

The need for communication to work with art and science (the basis of future solutions) is one dynamic to add to peace journalism. If artists and scientists find their overlap, there must be a recognition and publicity to show others how it can be both vibrant and successful.

It’s important to find stories that collaborate complex or unusual angles and sources to show the strength in cross-disciplinary news.

THE knife in the kitchen

7/9/2013

Like the industrial revolution in Europe in the late 1700s, we are entering a transformation into the digital age.

There are already evident traces of the fusing relationship between humans and their technology. It’s overwhelming to think we are only in infancy of technology’s impact, but I’ll focus on what we have now.

Dr. Schaar referenced Manuel Castells, who was the author of one of our prominent readings in the spring course. Schaar based most of his digital age opinion on Castell hence him labeling the new wave of technology as a time of fearlessness.

An example is the confidence exuded by activism and mobilization, which are now virtually carried out online.

Groups can organize and network without even meeting. In relation to my previous post, this outlet provides encouragement for revolutionaries to be courageous. They have a voice. They have a chance.

Though he did not use a positive example, it was one with heavy impact.

Many terrorist groups establish their nests in shantytowns where they have immigrated to sneak under any regulations.

One of the first oddities I noticed while passing clusters of slums in Morocco was the hundreds of satellite dishes propped on the roofs like daisies growing from the ground.

Schaar warned the slums’ inhabitants are just as networked and in touch as we are, if not more.

The digital age is merciless and knows no bounds. It’s infectious, because people crave the connections other people have. The connectivity becomes a desire, which fuels the determination to have an outlet or source. One is usually found even in the poorest pockets.

When we met with Fes government members for a Q&A, one woman said technology and the desire of has birthed new levels of challenges particularly with youth who flee to the urban areas for modern lifestyles.

She compared technology to a knife. Its users can use it for productivity like in the kitchen or it can be used for criminality.

As we learn how to harness or unleash the power of digitalization of our lives, it’s important to remember the responsibility of power.

Moral lessons aside there is much to pull from the technology age in terms of media. Peace journalists can publish through various platforms, but as we’ve witnessed in our country, the audience is on or moving to the web.

It is wise to gaze a few decades into the future and ask where will people get their news or how will they seek stories of what they’re interested in. As a print media favorer, it’s hard to grasp that it may all be virtual by then.

If this is the case, there needs to be a move from within to embrace this fearless digital age, because if that is where both sides are collaborating, then it’s where the news sources need to be.

That is one way technology has spoiled us is the ocean of sources it provides.

Mimi Bradly said the technology is so abundant we can research an issue then immerse ourselves in the reality of the situation. Not only does the digital age allow us to prepare, but after witnessing an event, the story sharing can be instantaneous.

With a turn around that satisfying both in time and effort, it’s undeniable there will be a movement in media culture to that area, one that surpasses the transformation that has already taken place.

THE ONLY WAY TO BE REAL

7/5/2013

“Courage is spontaneous,” Dr. Schaar said. “It’s a result of answering a question and confronting the force in front of you.”

Activism is a form of courage. It is a lifestyle, one that can run a person ragged from the energy it demands and the attention it deserves.

Later in Schaar’s lecture he said activists must be alert and always on guard, no matter how exhausting it is, because one missed link could result in rights being swiped away.

Dr. A.T. Ariyaratne, founder and president of Sarvodaya, said throughout Sarvodaya’s history, the government warned the media not to focus on the organization's efforts, because they are afraid of how big the NGO could become.

He continued that the government has always held a question mark over the organization as to how extensive it can grow. Even though Sarvodaya has no political motivation or violent desires, the government warns them and the media not to draw any attention.

In Morocco, Rachid Touhtouh, a researcher of the NGO society of his country, said there is an optimistic drive within the civil society to counter the opposition of the government, oppression similar to what Sarvodaya is facing.

Touhtouh said the social actors are active in various aspects of society, but they generally call for freedom of associations and to uplift the red tape that restricts them.

The courage of these activists empowers them to criticize their government and find work within the flexibility of NGOs.

Sri Lankan poet Jean Arasanayagam said courage is required to expose the grotesque and the unjust through writing.

As a journalist, there is not only a demand to unveil these events, but there is also an expectation of ethics.

Though some would think journalism ethics are black and white, Malinda Seneviratne said they are actually vague guidelines.

“The only way to be real is to be ethical yourself,” he said.

If courage is answering a question or acting in response, then the ethic pillars must be the framework to work within and the sense of awareness, always on guard.

local learning

7/5/2013

“It’s not about foreign versus local… the skills will outshine the passport,” Malinda Seneviratne, poet and editor of Sri Lanka’s newspaper The Nation, said.

Seneviratne has provided multiple opinions on foreign journalists reporting within his country or one outside of their own.

It’s obvious that he respects good reporting when he sees it. No matter where they are reporting, there must be qualified sources and an understanding that authenticity of writing within a new nation cannot be produced out of two days of being there.

It takes immersion, which takes time.

The aspect to be weary of with international journalists, he said, is every single person has an agenda. Each comes with an idea or goal for what to accomplish, so it’s important to analyze exactly what that is when networking with them.

As an aspiring international journalist, it was important I learned this early on.

People know foreign journalists have their own reasons or motivations, so there is a process of immersion that must occur, almost like a right of passage, before I could prove genuine concern for their issues and drawing needed attention to them.

This also contributes to the theory a peace journalist must work within the local levels to witness exactly what is stirring on the ground of a nation. The other aspect is balancing the representation of both sides in reports.

Moroccan parliamentarian Mimi Bradly said when learning about a conflict or a movement, engage with both sides, learn from all angles what is driving the tension. This is spot on with avoiding victimization or one-sidedness common to war journalism.

It’s also a way to ensure when embracing and learning a new country the journalist’s experience is not crafted by one side. An immersion process requires help from locals, but as anyone else, locals have an agenda too.

Local reporting requires a thorough understanding not only of both sides of an issue but all areas within a specific place. Dr. Schaar said local reporters are excellent due to their extensive knowledge of a specific area. He said they are the ones who can analyze a situation and capture why the people should take a stand.

Even though there is always something new to learn, quality local reporting in a foreign country is possible, because local knowledge can be internalized.

There are also other dynamics besides nationality that seem boundless on the global stage and can offer insight that others may not understand.

Examples of these other dynamics are usually commonalities between people regardless of birthplace, such as gender or age.

Associate Professor Erdem Yoruk of Koc University in Istanbul said we could understand the people of Taksim more than their own government, because it was a generational understanding. There are codes and ideas we relate to thanks merely to our similar priorities.

Traces of this were even evident in the Arab Spring.

An international peace journalist will be challenged with immersion in some aspects but will also naturally possess analytical scopes, which will be essential to unraveling situations to accurately report.

CHANGE FROM WITHIN

7/5/2013

Consciousness was the word of the month.

Each country tapped into the need to shake the consciousness within its people to be able to instill desired change.

A few of our sources used it in the sense of awareness.

Dr. Stuart Schaar from Brooklyn College, CUNY, said only when you’re conscience of what is happening can you make the change. He added, though, when you learn about a situation in need of attention or intervention, the key is not to pity people. People, such as the women of Morocco, do not need pity, nor do they want it.

Schaar said, using Moroccan women as an example, they are extremely capable of their own efforts, and it would be shameful to denounce them as otherwise.

Malinda Seneviratne, poet and editor of The Nation newspaper, also used the conscience shake up as an awakening.

“You must sleep, then I can wake you up,” he said. “Don’t fake sleep.”

His extra layer to the topic was not to pretend you are unaware. Also, a change in the consciousness means be ready for a change of state and being.

To move forward on the national level, there must be a shift in the societal consciousness. This was also highlighted in Turkey where we examined the wiring of the country’s history. Though their civilization has altered with each new cultural influx, there are still dynamics that hold them back from breaking into modernity.

The obstacle for this consciousness breakthrough, Dr. Johanna Buisson of EGE said, is it takes a very long time.

Buisson was our lecturer for feminism and Islam, a discussion that revealed the need for aware or active individuals to find support in any outlet possible to defeat the civilizational forces pushing against them.

Consciousness as a collective being does not transform in just a few years; it’s a generational development.

In regards to equality for women in Morocco, the Moudawana was a step toward new times, but Buisson assured us there is a disconnect between laws passed and implementation.

It is progress, however.

My challenge is how to relate this conscience metamorphosis with media, particularly localized or alternative journalism.

I think a critical but missing piece to these countries’ shake-up is the lack of publicity and reporting of each step taken. If more citizens were aware of laws being passed or regulations changing, then they would be more likely to act on that information or seek out similar outlets.

On the ground level, it would require an immersed reporter to observe small daily incidents both in the public and private sector that could attest either to a change in progress or a stalemate of action.

This could be where the alternative medium plays in. Fresh angles and frameworks, perhaps even creative styles, would be the only outlet to portray these stories. There must be an understanding that proof of revolutionized consciousness happening is not always in the facts, on paper or in the policies, but in the lives of the people.

one role of media

7/5/2013

Media is a channel for any effort to gain both attention and potential investors.

Dr. William Lawrence, director of the North Africa Project, discussed this in relation to publishing scientific research during one of his projects, but this could be applied to any area of study or work.

Lawrence said flying under the radar cuts the spark of more collaboration between similar projects as well as connecting to broader ones. Publicity not only brings the various pieces together, but it attracts more researchers and hopefully donors.

If the work is progressive or successful, then it should be recognized to sustain the original funding as well as earn more.

“People will pay for things they see are working,” Lawrence said.

NGOs can obtain the same benefits if their work is highlighted and success reported.

Of course funding is critical, but it’s not everything. NGOs are especially adaptable to thrive when finances are low, so they, more than anyone, understand the other importance of media attention.

The 21st century will revolve around change from the bottom, which is the grassroots level. For this wave of activism to be successful, the various groups must learn to network with each other, which would be most probable online.

The NGO network of Morocco, from what we encountered, is not only exploding in numbers but also finding connections within the level.

Tammia.ma is a website like a database of profiles of NGOs in Morocco. Though this is not an outlet for interaction between them or to publish their projects, it is a step closer to opening this movement to the public.

Anyone can look up groups and their mission to see what is already being done and who they are working with.

So the question is should the publicity they need to attract more volunteers and investors be in mainstream mediums or should NGO manage their own media outreach or should there be a collective grassroots media movement in which any group anywhere could have access to.

Regardless of the most successful outlet, publicity is critical to sustain.

WATER IN THE COCONUT

6/28/2013

The pearl of the Indian Ocean or the land of gems are only two of the many names Sri Lanka has be donned for its richness both of culture and land.

Like precious stones, the fortune of my Sri Lankan experience is buried in little moments that require some unearthing in my own thinking to find the value in.

Though I mostly relate this to little moments like sipping out of a freshly cut coconut that cost three cents while dodging tuk-tuks on a winding road shadowed in palm trees and passing through incense clouds haunting the Buddhist chants flowing out of an open door (just a peak into my past two afternoons here), I have already learned to apply this to my internship experience as well.

Today was my first official day of my media internship with Sarvodaya. The timing was on point, because all of the leading media figures of the organization were meeting today to review their new communication strategy and discuss launching a magazine.

It was an exciting meeting to take part in, because I surprised by the extensiveness of their media outlets.

So much so that my first thought was how do they have enough people to sustain these efforts, and do they have a guideline of uniformity so each medium reflects and coincides with the others.

They are on edge with their focus and goals of using social media as well as planning for a social change app once smart phones become the trend here. Another step was to make their website trilingual so it is accessible for more audiences.

The other progressive angle they are striving for, especially in the new magazine, is to revolve content around reconciliation; the focus would be geared toward this movement instead of promoting Sarvodaya as an organization. The potential magazine editor said specifically that they must do this through stories that show instead of tell how reconciliation is a thriving and maturing change.

He also said that these kinds of stories, ones that are full of contradictions melting into a new modern mold, are the ones that attract young readers.

After scribbling notes and diagrams from the meeting, I was motivated and anxious to take part in this vast media effort in anyway I could. I left the room excited to be of some help to this movement that they so desperately want to take off.

I was given an overview of what was expected of me the next few weeks, which is to rewrite stories on the website that need updating due to added information via Facebook. This would also entail interviewing project leaders for their own updates.

I was handed over to the young woman who writes and does most of the editing for their monthly newspaper, which is in Sinhala, to write some of the newsletter stories in English after she translated them for me also.

As I walked to my new desk in the media office with Dilakshana, I was amped and ready to start.

The work adrenaline and pace of the mood slowed to a halt as I realized that she is not as fluent in English as her coworkers, and her translating the short news clips was a challenging exercise of her language skills.

Of course, I completely admire her for what she does know, because we’re all caught up on my lack of language skills and embarrassment of.

However, I was only able to type three or four short bullet points for each headline, since that was all she could translate. Those were all I had to craft a paragraph long news bite per story.

The slow process of her working through the languages and me trying to capture all that she wanted to say in an informative way but only getting a few words out was a buzz kill.

Disappointed in my lack of abilities to contribute quality work due to this dilemma, I went to tea time.

If you don’t know the power of hot black tea with milk and too much sugar, I suggest you treat yourself to some deep reflection and refreshing thoughts over a cup.

I returned to the office thinking, no, I wasn’t out interviewing or reviving old stories or networking on social media, but I was sharing time with another aspiring young female journalist in a way that was improving her language abilities and exercising my ability to bring as much life to the most basic information given.

In so many ways, that is just as valuable to my career building experience as any other task. It really hit me to appreciate the little jobs that may not be what I wanted initially when she began to explain her own career desires.

Dilakshana graduated from university with a mass media degree in February, and she has been working with Sarvodaya’s newspaper and newsletters since.

Though she is happy to work with Sarvodaya and to have a job, print media is actually her least favorite journalistic area.

She studied and researched for radio, because writing scripts and jingles is what she enjoys the most. She also loves photojournalism and thinks the picture with a story can be just as important as the words.

Yet, here she is working every day not doing either of those. And still, she has a beautiful smile on her face as she writes reports and as we attempt to understand each other over simple news leads.

Not only was my patience practiced in that sticky room, but as the fan churned to stir the air, we both expressed our excitement to be working together and share our small steps to achieve our far off dreams.