"Eine Einigung buchstäblich in letzter Minute, kontroverse Entscheidungen in Arbeitsgruppen vertagt - die Ergebnisse des World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS), dessen erster Teil vom 10. bis 12. Dezember 2003 in Genf stattfand, sind bescheiden. Die offiziellen Deklarationen enthalten nur v
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age Grundsätze und allgemeine Absichtserklärungen. Dennoch fällt die Bilanz des Gipfels positiv aus, denn zweifellos hat der Weltgipfel für die Informationsgesellschaft das Problembewusstsein der beteiligten Regierungen, internationalen Organisationen und zivilgesellschaftlichen Vertreter geschärft." (Seite 720)
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"The World Bank should take a more active role in policy and regulatory activities targeting the broadcasting sector because: broadcasting can have a significant part to play in the fight to reduce global poverty; convergence of information and communications technologies (ICT) is allowing broadcast
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services to be provided over telecommunications networks and internet services to use broadcast systems; the broadcast component of the convergent ICT sector is a significant economic sector; reform of the broadcast sector can have a significant development impact; few other international development players are active in the broadcast reform arena; traditional reticence to address a sector that raises political sensitivities appears overblown. The Bank Group’s potential activities in the sector might include: basic reform, involving the opening up of the broadcast sector to private and community involvement, and deconcentrating private media ownership; convergence regulation, involving the harmonization and integration of regulations covering broadcast and telecommunications infrastructure; support for community radio stations to improve access for the poor to the tools of information and communications technologies; pilot projects involving digital television to assess the potential of broadcasting as a tool to widen access to the internet." (Executive summary, page ix)
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"The bloody conflicts of the past decade have focused international attention on the strategic role of the media in promoting war and perpetuating chaos. Written against this backdrop, Forging Peace brings together case studies and legal analysis of the steps that the United Nations, NATO, and other
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organizations have taken to build pluralist and independent media in the wake of massive human rights violations. It examines current thinking on the legality of unilateral humanitarian intervention, and analyzes in graphic detail the pioneering use of information intervention techniques in conflict zones, ranging from full-scale bombardment and confiscation of transmitters to the establishment of new laws and regulatory regimes. With its focus on the role of media in preventing human rights violations, Forging Peace will influence policy and debate for years to come." (Publisher description)
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"UNESCO’s involvement with the books programme started off as general in character, becoming focused in the 1990s on country-specific circumstances, culminating in the publication of the practical guide, The National Book Policy. Numerous actions were initiated and implemented under the programmes
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and include: the elaboration of national policies taking into account the concerns of both the public and private sectors; training; publication of guidelines; and the promotion of the value of reading by initiating activities on the occasion of World Book and Copyright Day – activities, which come under the two central themes: Books for All and Towards a Reading Society. The evaluation set out to assess “UNESCO in relation to the book” and thus was concerned with the Organization’s activities (policies, strategies and procedures relating to the production and dissemination capacities in the book and other cultural industries and to the promotion of culture, with special attention given to the sphere of children) during 1990-1997. The World Decade for Cultural Development (1988-1997) was used as a general frame of reference, together with the third Medium-Term Plan (starting in 1990)." (UNESCO website, 02.02.2011)
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"Our research confirmed that many IFI (international financial institutions)-watchers are struggling to utilise ICT efficiently. The majority of organisations we studied do not have a communications strategy that takes into account the possibilities ICT affords. If they do have a website, it is not
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updated regularly. Almost everybody we consulted complained about information-overload, while at the same time lacking information relevant to them specifically. These difficulties are, of course, also experienced by NGOs, campaigners and specialists in other issue areas. We identified a range of obstacles that make effective information sharing and co-operation more difficult. Some are easy to grasp, although not necessarily easy to tackle (i.e. language), while others are extremely complex and cause much frustration (i.e. internal politics and structures of NGOs). Many have been around for years. The introduction of ICT is accompanied by new difficulties, such as information overload and computer viruses, but can also have a multiplier effect on the "old" problems. This is not news, but it makes sense to point out again that new technology relies on "traditional" factors to succeed in establishing effective communications. It depends less on working with the latest software than on how people relate to each other. Power structures and democratic or non-democratic procedures can, directly or indirectly, promote or hinder communications." (Executive summary)
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"This book is a primer on media governance at a global level and the key influencing forces and organizations, such as ITU, WTO, UNESCO, WIPO, and ICANN. Anyone interested in the media and its progressively rising influence over so many dimensions of society can look here for an introduction to medi
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a regulation, governance structures, and trends. Published in cooperation with UNRISD." (Publisher description)
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"The International Programme for the Development of Communication (IPDC) was created by UNESCO in 1980. The pivotal aim was to increase co-operation and assistance for the development of communication infrastructures and to reduce the gap between countries in the communication field. The programme e
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merged from debates within UNESCO about a New World Communication and Information order, and reflections on the importance of communications media as tools for development.
Norway has supported IPDC from the very beginning, and was, one of the main founders of the program’s Special Account. Down the years Norway has contributed a total of US$ 11 428 000 to the Special Account from 1982 to 2000. The Norwegian contribution has however gradually decreased from 1 052 000 US$ in 1988, to around 2 million NOK annually in recent years (varying between 226,432 and 308,315 US$ according to the exchange rate). During the last six years Norway has allocated 1 576 474 US$ to the Special Account. Norway is the second largest donor after Denmark. Until 2001 support to IPDC was specified as a separate item in the budget of the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. For the 2001/2002 budget it was decided to allocate support to the IPDC under the heading of “Good governance” (UD 2002: post 74, page 153–154).
The financial contributions to the IPDC have always been inadequate, and the problem worsened after 1995 due to the drastic drop in funding. In 2001 a moratorium was put on new projects and 46 approved projects were waiting to be financed. Given Norway’s relationship to the IPDC, it is not surprising that it would like to see an evaluation both of the program’s impact and its current impecunious situation. The role of projects in the area of media and communication must be considered within the framework of Norway’s total development policies, but particularly in relation to the commitment to strengthen democracy, accountability and transparency where the media play a central role. The present evaluation is intended to serve as a background for a renewed discussion of the continuation of Norwegian support to the IPDC, and of the reorientation and renewal of the programme." (Fact sheet, page 6)
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"This is an important and brave book. It is important because it is fresh, analytical and identifies the grave shortcomings in the handling of information and the media by the UN in conflicts and emergencies. It is brave because it is written by an insider who knows the deficiencies and wants organi
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sations like the UN to learn the lessons. Peacekeeping and Public Information neatly treads a fine line. It is restrained when perhaps direct accusations could be levelled. But that restraint is its value, because Ingrid Lehmann is identifying shortcomings, not apportioning blame. The failings of procedures - and the need to rebuild them - matter more than the failures of personalities, which undoubtedly there have been in UN Operations. Not just the UN can learn from this book. Also humanitarian organisations, the media, the military, diplomats - and most significantly the corporate world." (Nik Gowing, News Anchor and Analyst on Information in Conflict and Emergencies)
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"Este documento acompaña al manual diseñado para ayudar a los administradores de equipos de trabajo del Banco Mundial a planificar y supervisar la ejecución de actividades de comunicación en proyectos de PSN. El manual revisa los principios básicos de comunicación para el cambio en el comporta
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miento, presentando una guía paso a paso para planificar y ejecutar actividades de comunicación y vincular cada paso con el ciclo de proyectos del Banco. El manual contiene una serie de módulos prácticos, incluyendo: enfoques de investigación en comunicación para proyectos del Banco; guía de indicadores en comunicación; ejemplos de términos de referencia para consultores del Banco y de Prestatarios; preguntas guía para evaluar la capacidad de la organización; ejemplo de presupuesto y de plan de ejecución; estudios de caso de las prácticas óptimas en comunicación para el cambio en el comportamiento." (Prefacio, página 5)
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