The Communication Initiative
Development action with informed and engaged societies
The Communication Initiative
After nearly 28 years, The Communication Initiative (The CI) Global is entering a new chapter. Following a period of transition, the global website has been transferred to the University of the Witwatersrand (Wits) in South Africa, where it will be administered by the Social and Behaviour Change Communication Division. Wits' commitment to social change and justice makes it a trusted steward for The CI's legacy and future.
 
Co-founder Victoria Martin is pleased to see this work continue under Wits' leadership. Victoria knows that co-founder Warren Feek (1953–2024) would have felt deep pride in The CI Global's Africa-led direction.
 
We honour the team and partners who sustained The CI for decades. Meanwhile, La Iniciativa de Comunicación (CILA) continues independently at cila.comminitcila.com and is linked with The CI Global site.
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PAPER The Drum Beat - 21 - COLOMBIA - Ministry of Communication - Proyecto 2000

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The Drum Beat - 21 - COLOMBIA - Ministry of Communication - Proyecto 2000
Additional Information and Commentary

By Adelaida Trujillo-Caicedo
Citurna Producciones en Cine y Video
Bogotá, May of 1999
adelaidatrujillo@cable.net.co


5. Colombia: Programmes - Ministry of Communication - Proyecto 2000

One interesting scenario to pay attention to is the Ministry of Communications. Perhaps the most influential Ministry of the present government, it is now under the direction of Mrs. Claudia de Francisco, a very forward thinking Minister. One of the main policies she is targeting the Ministry's efforts and finances towards is the PROGRAMA 2000. Through this she and her team aspire to shift the Ministry 's present focus on telecommunications to a more complex vision of the Communication Ministry as the " ministry of knowledge", coordinating its efforts very closely with the Education and Culture Ministries. Special attention will be given to changes within the Ministry: training and updating its decision makers with the concept that communication plays a critical role in any development process, and that knowledge, and access to information is critical for this.

This is an interesting position given the fact that Mrs. De Francisco, as Minister, is now in charge of leading the privatisation of media and telecommunications, is allocating the frequences for new electronic media, trunking, satellite communication, community television and radio, The Minister expressed great concern for the comparatively low access to information techologies in the country (300,000) and the fact that television is underused for educational and peace building purposes.

The Ministry is also facilitating access to information technology. It has recently received a donation from Compaq for 200 computer "nodes" with access to Internet. These will be placed in schools and community centers.

Contact Alberto López
Ministerio de Comunicaciones
Edificio Murillo Toro
Bogotá Colombia
Tel: 571 - 344 2291
Email - cons2000@mincomunicaciones.gov.co