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February 13, World Radio Day, is a date that goes beyond the recognition of a communication medium. It is a global celebration that highlights the power of radio to promote peace, cultural diversity, education, and freedom of expression. For the Cantoyaco Network, this commemoration holds a profound meaning, as it represents the essence of its work: strengthening community voices and using radio as a tool for social transformation in southern Colombia, a region historically affected by armed conflict and social exclusion.
The Cantoyaco Network is an organization that brings together various community radio stations in the department of Putumayo, made up of communicators and social leaders committed to defending human rights, gender equity, environmental protection, and peacebuilding. Its work focuses on communication as an instrument for social transformation, advocating for the right of rural and marginalized communities to be heard. Through radio, the Cantoyaco Network has managed to connect the populations of Putumayo, strengthening their cultural identity and promoting their active participation in processes that impact their lives.
World Radio Day: A Reminder of the Cantoyaco Network’s Mission
For the Cantoyaco Network, World Radio Day is not just a celebration but a reminder of its mission: to use radio as a platform to give voice to those who have been silenced. In a context where violence and exclusion have stripped many people of their fundamental rights, community radio becomes a space of resistance and empowerment. Through programs addressing topics such as culture, human rights, gender equity, and peace, the Cantoyaco Network has become a reference point in defending rural communities in Putumayo.
This day is also an opportunity to reflect on the challenges radio faces in an increasingly digitalized world. Despite technological advancements, radio remains an accessible and close medium, especially in remote regions where other media have no presence. For the Cantoyaco Network, this is a call to continue innovating and adapting to changes without losing sight of its commitment to free and accessible communication.
Projects That Transform: The Cantoyaco Network and the UN Multi-Partner Trust Fund for Peace
One of the most notable projects of the Cantoyaco Network was developed within the framework of the communications call by the United Nations Multi-Partner Trust Fund for Peace. This project, implemented in municipalities such as Mocoa, Villagarzón, Puerto Caicedo, and San Miguel, sought to strengthen the capacities of communication collectives, grassroots groups, and local reporters to disseminate the progress and challenges of the Peace Agreement and the Territorial Development Programs with a Focus on Ethnic and Peasant Communities (PDET).
Through training workshops in radio production and photojournalism, more than 100 community reporters were trained, producing 112 radio segments, 185 podcasts, 53 photo reports, and 20 community newspapers. These communication pieces not only informed about peace processes but also brought the stories of victims and leaders from Putumayo to broader audiences, promoting reconciliation and active participation in the social monitoring of PDET advancements.
One of the most significant outcomes of this project was the increased awareness of post-agreement processes among local audiences and organizations. Communities now have tools to generate narratives consistent with the realities of the territory, strengthening their ability to influence peacebuilding from the local level.
Radio as a Tool for Peacebuilding
The importance of strengthening radio in peacebuilding processes is undeniable, especially in a country like Colombia, where the armed conflict has left deep social and cultural wounds. Community radio allows individuals and communities to actively participate in peace processes, becoming an inclusive tool that gives voice to those who have traditionally been silenced.
The massive reach of radio is one of its greatest attributes. In regions like Putumayo, where many communities live in remote and hard-to-reach areas, radio remains the most effective medium for delivering messages of peace, reconciliation, and human rights. Additionally, radio fosters dialogue and participation, key elements for building lasting peace. In a post-conflict context, it is essential that communities can share their experiences and concerns, and radio offers the ideal space for this.
Radio also has significant educational power. Through programs that promote values such as conflict resolution, respect for human rights, and peacebuilding, it contributes to creating a culture of peace and forming citizens committed to the common good. The Cantoyaco Network has been a pioneer in this regard, leading initiatives such as “Voices and Images of Putumayo,” “Culture and Heritage of Putumayo,” and “Your Voice on the Border,” which have strengthened communication and training processes in the territory.
Initiatives That Make a Difference
The Cantoyaco Network has developed numerous initiatives that have left a significant mark in Putumayo. Projects like “Rural Women Reporters, Communication for Peace,” in collaboration with the Women’s Pacific Route of Puerto Caicedo, have empowered rural women to tell their own stories and actively participate in peacebuilding processes. Another example is “This Is How Peace Sounds in the Territories,” developed within the framework of the Citizen Radios for Peace and Coexistence Project, which has promoted the creation of radio content reflecting the realities and aspirations of communities.
Additionally, with the support of the United Nations Multi-Partner Trust Fund for Peace, the Cantoyaco Network has implemented projects such as “Sutatenza 2.0” and “Communication for Life,” which seek to strengthen peacebuilding and reconciliation processes in the territory. These initiatives have enabled communities to have tools to generate their own narratives, strengthening their ability to influence social change processes.
Radio, a Medium That Unites and Transforms
On World Radio Day, we celebrate not only the medium but also those who, like the Cantoyaco Network, use it to transform lives and build a more just and peaceful world. Radio remains, now more than ever, a voice that unites, educates, and empowers. In Putumayo, the Cantoyaco Network has shown that radio is not just a communication medium but a tool for social change, resistance, and hope. Its work is an inspiring example of how radio can be an instrument for peace, justice, and equity in a territory that cries out for reconciliation and well-being.
If you want to learn more about the Cantoyaco Network we invite you to visit their website https://redcantoyaco.com/
Photos: Cantoyaco Network
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