Cultural Survival works worldwide to defend and preserve the rights, culture and languages of indigenous peoples. In Guatemala, Cultural Survival works with 175 independent, indigenous-run community radio stations that exist in a loose community radio network. In collaboration with Cultural Survival and the radio stations, ArtCorps will strengthen the capacity of indigenous communities in Guatemala to disseminate knowledge, communicate with one another and build a stronger sense of identity as a community radio network.

This partnership will include working with local broadcasters to create broadcast training videos that will be disseminated throughout the 175 indigenous radio stations in the network; training key indigenous constituencies to create radio social dramas and other creative oral activities to engage listenership and disseminate critical information to indigenous communities; and creating a system to train the remaining radio stations in these same methods. The collaboration will also focus on training the next generation of journalists and broadcasters while preserving traditional knowledge.

Community radio stations are a powerful means to reach and give a voice to Guatemala’s rural population. Radio is a particularly effective means for providing information to Guatemala’s illiterate population as well as those who do not have access to other media sources. Cultural Survival works with 175 independent, indigenous-run stations currently exist as part of a loose community radio network, but is challenged to provide equal training opportunities and support to remote stations with differing levels of experience, organization and participation. In addition, the radio stations seek ways to engage listeners and attract young broadcasters.

2011: ArtCorps Artist Monika Navarro is a documentary film-maker from the US. Monika will be working with the community radio stations to develop broadcasting training videos and transferring filming skills to community members.

• Television for Radio: Monika is working with international and local film makers to create four 30-second television spots on the importance of radio. They will be broadcast on Guatemala’s Vea Canal, Vimeo and YouTube, while the audio version will be broadcast by the community radio stations.
• Training Video on Women’s Voices: Monika will implement bi-weekly workshops for 16 local radio broadcasters in order to train them to create broadcast training videos that will be disseminated throughout the 175 indigenous radio stations. The first training video will be on the importance of including women’s voices, a topic selected by the broadcasters.
• Building Capacity Among Staff and Key Indigenous Constituencies: Monika will also work with radio broadcasters and key indigenous constituencies to create radio social dramas and other creative oral activities to engage listenership and share critical information.

ArtCorps Artist Patricia Escalon is a Salvadoran-Australian artist with experience in film, theater and writing. Patricia will be working with indigenous youth to train the next generation of broadcasters and journalists.