On Saturday, January 28th, the "Minga Informativa" is organizing an
encounter called "The Role of Social Moviments in the Construction of a
Social Agenda for the Field of Communications" (3:30pm, Hotel Hilton,
Meeting Room 1).

This event, jointly organized by diverse networks, coordinating bodies
and
groups that work in the field of communications, proposes to create a
space for exchange, particularly between networks, the media and social
organizations. The construction of a common agenda in order to make
the
field of communications more democratic - both in the political arena
and
that of social struggles as well as in the practice of creating
"another
model for the field of communications" - will be the main topic of
discussion.

The "Minga Informativa" is also participating in other events on
related
topics, such as the event organized by the Continental Campaign -
Communications and Rights" (Jan. 26th) and the panel discussion, on Jan
28th, organized by the World Campaign CRIS called "Rights, Justice and
Communications" (8:30am, Hotel Hitlon, Room Chaguaramo). As well, on
Monday the 23rd, the Minga participated in the panel discussion
organized
by the press agency IPS. In these disucssions the Minga emphasizes how
important it is that social moviments make the field of communications
and
its tools their own.

Putting this belief in practice, the "Minga Informativa" is working
with a
team of some 30 journalists from social organizations and from
alternative
media that covers the social movements' activities and the discussions
they raise. Furthermore, the Minga has begun to work with Telesur, who
transmits live from 7:30pm to 8:00pm, on a daily basis, a round-table
discussion, as well as other short programs. As well, the Minga
publishes
a permanent column in the daily newspaper "Terra Viva", produced by
IPS.

Trans. Amanda Procter