History of AMARC
An Introduction of AMARC Asia-Pacific
AMARC as a global movement :
For AMARC, the broadcast media are a means by which the citizens and ordinary people, women and men, can work to improve their livelihoods, to defend their rights and to participate in political life.
Created in 1983, AMARC plays a leading role in the worldwide CR movement for its perception of what community radios should be, for its accumulated expertise, and for the extension of its network of more than 5,000 members in 113 countries. It actively seeks to reinforce the CR movement by removing barriers and establishing conditions for increasing its effectiveness.
AMARC and other stakeholders have contributed strongly to the expansion of scattered CR experiences into a dynamic and diverse global sector of broadcasting that has become an alternative to commercial and state owned media, which often neglect representation of the poor, the marginalized particularly women, sexual minorities, dalits, indigenous people and the socially and politically oppressed.
AMARC in the Asia-Pacific Region
As per the statutes of AMARC, regional assemblies are held every four years.
The Second AMARC Asia-Pacific Regional Assembly took place in Bangalore, India in February 2010 and elected the Regional Board of Directors to steer the movement ahead. Over 250 community radio stakeholders participated in the Conference and decided upon the Regional Action Plan 2010-2013 for the growth and development of the sector in the region. The third Regional Assembly of AMARC Asia-Pacific was held in December 2013 in Seoul, Republic of Korea. The Korean Association of Community Radios (KACR) hosted the conference where over 100 community broadcasters and advocates from about 30 countries of Asia-Pacific region gathered to take stock of the community radio sector and to chart the way forward. A renewed set of strategic priorities were endorsed by the members.
AMARC Asia-Pacific regional office, which is based in Kathmandu, Nepal closely works with its members and partner organizations across the Asia-Pacific region – South Asia, South East Asia, the Pacific and East Asia, to implement activities aimed at promoting freedom of expression, supporting community development and development of resilient communities.