2005 Annual Report Panos Institute - Caribbean

Panos Caribbean . Panos Offices Around the World . Job Opportunities
Annual Reports

Overview of the year

Top 5 highlights:

1. Annual Report 2004 Annual Report 2003 Annual Report 2002

   Gender, an old theme, was restarted. This year we made crucial first steps to develop “Gender and Social Justice” as a regional thematic programme. Although Panos tends to “genderize” most development issues, a specific thematic programme can help to lift out many underreported and misunderstood stories.
   
2. Important expansion of our regional child journalism programme. We have been helping child journalist groups since 2000, but this year we jumped to 12 in Haiti and also prepared one in Jamaica . The groups get more diverse, with some of them specializing on themes such as environment ( Gonaives ), child trafficking (Pilate), HIV/AIDS (Pilate and Jamaica ), etc. Additionally, we trained more than 3,000 orphans on communication and some of them got involved in community media.
   
3. Fellowships Tuberculosis. Interest and debate on TB in Haiti is increasing. Panos plays its role here through fellowships and training in TB journalism as well as the dissemination of information.
   
4. Embedded journalism. In collaboration with the UNEP/Caribbean Environment Programme, we experimented with “embedded journalism”, a new technique which provides excellent opportunities for in depth reporting. As such, it brings UNEP closer to the people of the region.
   
5. Oral testimonies on climate change in rural Jamaica . A lot of enthusiasm has been created with involving Mocho, a rural community, in climate change discussions, and starting oral testimony collection in Jamaica .

Significant organisational developments:

2005 was a landmark year for our organization. The Board was largely renewed, and mandated a fundamental shift, from a global organization (called Panos Washington ) to a regional one (Panos Caribbean), with its main office in Haiti . We are subsequently redeveloping an appropriate strategic plan. The organization, now fully focused on the region, counts 4 more countries ( Mexico , Colombia , Venezuela and Bermuda ) than the regional programme before. Also it was decided to adopt two new thematic areas: gender and social justice; and diaspora. Jan Voordouw was appointed Executive Director.

In July, the Jamaica office got truly going with two new full-time staff. It has been growing rapidly with many new activities coming off the ground.

Developments in partnerships:

Important new partnerships were started this year with:

• The Nordic governmental agencies: DIDC, NORAD and SIDA came in as new donors.
• A fruitful collaboration was started with a well-known partner, GRASADIS, in the production of radio programmes in Haiti on controversial issues around HIV/AIDS.
• UNAIDS/Jamaica & UNICEF/Jamaica are starting to become involved.
• The Ministry of Health/Jamaica has called on Panos for joint activities.

There were no significant developments in existing partnerships. Partners and donors in 2005 are included in the table below.

Donors Panos Caribbean:  

Main Partners Panos Caribbean in 2005:

Projects carried out

In 2005, the renewed organization Panos Caribbean continued with the ongoing thematic areas of Child rights (49.7% of programme expenditures), Public Health - with an emphasis on HIV/AIDS (29.4%) and Environment (18.3%). However, this year we also initiated work in two new areas, to be expanded in 2006: Gender and Social Justice (2.3%), and Diaspora (0.2%).

Regional thematic programme: Child Rights

Background: This programme, which gives voice to children, their perspectives and their rights by promoting their effective participation in the media, grew to 12 self-governing child journalist groups in six of Haiti ’s provinces, each of approximately 20 children. Additionally, we prepared the start of our first child journalist group in Jamaica .

We build capacity in the child journalist groups, as well as their working partnerships with local media to conduct their own training activities, media production, community outreach and other activities. In order to achieve close rapport, for each of the groups a locally-based Panos journalist stays in weekly contact and develops with them the specific activities. These coaches also support the many media production activities and monitor the quality of the outputs.

Outcomes and details of impacts achieved: In Haiti , two new child journalist groups were started this year in Gonaives (Artibonite) and Jeremie (Grand’Anse). The new group in Gonaives specializes on emergency reporting and the environment.

In Jeremie, 20 children were selected from different schools and first training took place in November, on the subjects: child rights, HIV and STIs, journalism, radio production, script writing, etc. In the month immediately following the training, the children produced their three first radio programmes. These were respectively on: HIV/AIDS, voluntary testing, and orphans; Free expression, freedom of religion, rights of child; situation of restaveks (child domestic servants) with testimonies. The programmes were broadcast by three local stations and much positive feedback was received, from proud parents, teachers and many people in the communities.

The child journalist group in Pilate (North department) focuses on child trafficking and HIV/AIDS. However, the environment was introduced this year as another subject. Since journalistic radio training was done last year, this year we introduced art (papier mache) and photography. The regular radio productions of the group, entitled “Children’s Word”, are broadcast on the local community station, Radio Echo, as well as a radio station in Plaisance. Some children productions from Pilate have also been published in the national newspaper.

Nine groups of 20 kids each, which were established more than two years ago, consolidated training and production in writing, digital photography; radio production: These groups are based in: Beudet, Dolne and Croix-des-Bouquets (West); Fort Liberte, Trou-du-Nord and Ouanaminthe (North-east); and Cayes-Jacmel, Jacmel and La Vallee (South-east). In 2005, these groups produced at least 108 radio programmes altogether. Collaboration between the groups and local media were strengthened. Exchange visits were also organized, so that the groups interact more and more.

For all groups in Haiti , Panos negotiated broadcast contracts with local media (paid, for a short time, but nearly always extended for free). Additionally, at the end of the year, Panos provided a 2-days training course in Internet skills (research, newsgroups, online interaction, avoiding inappropriate info) to all 12 groups, and even some 60 extra youth. It is to be noted that sometimes general computer skills were low and this type of training had to be provided first.

In Jamaica , a group of HIV infected and affected children is being set up, to work on HIV/AIDS issues.

The Panos Haiti Director made another trip to West Africa to continue helping Panos West Africa (PIWA) to start a child journalist programme in Togo.

Background: In three departments of Haiti (Northeast, West and Southeast), a total of 92 community profiles were prepared and produced by nearly 3,000 children. The profiles provide basic community information from the perspective of children living in that community.

Outcomes and details of impacts achieved: The outputs of this large community project which started in 2002, became available in early 2005: 800 sets of 3 booklets were distributed in the communities covered and to institutions. The entire text was also made available on the web in French (www.vwatimounyo.org), with partial translations into Kreyol and English. Several summaries in English are still to be provided.

Regional thematic programme: Public Health (in particular HIV/AIDS)

Background: With four other Panos Institutes, Panos Caribbean carries out the Panos Global AIDS Programme (GAP).. GAP aims to promote participation, ownership and accountability in the fight against HIV/AIDS. GAP (1) helps Caribbean media to encourage public debate and accountability within HIV/AIDS policy; (2) builds communication capacity in organizations of People living with HIV/AIDS; (3) provides relevant information to all stakeholders; (4) promotes participation of Haitian diaspora on local efforts; (5) Promotes local, sub-regional and regional collaboration and partnerships among journalists.

Outcomes and details of impacts achieved: In 2005, GAP produced two country papers, “Agenda setting – whose voice is heard?” on Haiti and in Jamaica . We produced 20 radio programmes, six of which were developed on partnership with the Haitian Group Anti-AIDS and Anti-Sexual Discrimination (GRASADIS), see activity (d) below. A large number of feature articles were disseminated also.

Two media fellowships were awarded to Haitian journalists to cover a medical conference in Rio de Jane iro in July, resulting in 7 articles. A “writing fellowship” resulted in a storybook on HIV/AIDS. Panos also co-sponsored a contest for 400 Haitian youth to test their knowledge on HIV/AIDS, with a follow-up workshop and awards.

A training seminar targeted community radio stations in Jeremie and Cap Haitian. This resulted a.o. in several broadcasting agreements. In partnership with GHESKIO, 80 journalists were trained in issues relating to the vaccine trials. Short journalistic training sessions were started with Jamaican journalists (ethics, stigma and discrimination, human rights and interviewing PLHIV).

This year we held various stakeholder consultations in Haiti and in Jamaica , with youth and PLHIV. This laid a solid foundation for follow-up work. In Haiti , consultations took place with 500 youth from several of the most marginalized and poorest areas of Port-au-Prince . A forum for PLHIV was organized in December in Port-au-Prince, as well as an art exhibition/debate (by PLHIV) in Jacmel.. In Jamaica , a consultation was held with JN+ in August, with the participation of a seropositive advocacy campaigner from Haiti . This started the process of capacity building for PLHIV in Jamaica .

Panos also sponsored a Haitian participant to an advocacy training workshop in Jamaica for men who have sex with men.

The UNGASS process in Haiti was monitored, resulting in a publication and round-table to take place in 2006.

In Jamaica in late 2005, Panos assisted UNICEF in the production of a situational analysis of children and HIV/AIDS.

Background: Under the aegis of the Global AIDS Programme (GAP) and in collaboration with Stop-TB, Panos Caribbean participated in a parallel activity of the 5 participating institutes to support media on covering Tuberculosis.

Outcomes and details of impacts achieved: Haiti is the most affected country in the region. Therefore, in June, a training course of two days was held to assist journalists with the latest information on TB and appropriate strategies for better coverage. There were 32 participants. Subsequently, journalists were invited to apply for reporting fellowships (print, radio and photos). From among 7 applicants, two were selected by experts from the national programme to combat TB, and until date, 7 productions have been distributed, which have generated much debate.

Background: Youth in orphanages are a specific group, often overlooked in many social intervention programmes. This activity targeted 3,000 orphans directly, as well as the personnel working in orphanages, and at least 10,000 young people more through the media productions generated.

Outcomes and details of impacts achieved: Through various training and sensitisation sessions, in February/March 2005, Panos introduced information on Sexually transmitted diseases and HIV to approximately 3,000 children from several orphanages in the Port-au-Prince area. Orphanage personnel was also engaged in the interactive training sessions. Training of the children was done in two groups: 8-13 years old and 14 years and older. Subsequently, selected youth got engaged in preparing media productions, particularly for community mobilization. Through a competition, the best of all material was also collected for broadcast and publishing in the media.

Background: There are many taboo subjects around HIV/AIDS, often preventing the transfer of relevant information. By encouraging open debate, Panos aims to improve the state of public health, arm people with the right information and engage marginalized groups.

Outcomes and details of impacts achieved: In collaboration with an anti-sexual discrimination group in Haiti, Panos brought out six radio shows of 30-minutes on several controversial themes within the HIV/AIDS debate: PLWHA and human rights; Religion and AIDS; Rape; women, girls and HIV/AIDS; “managing risks” with young people; Homosexuality and HIV/AIDS prevention. In each of the programmes there was a lively debate with several participants. The programmes were broadcast by 3 radio commercial stations and more than 10 community stations. After each broadcast, there was a lot of feedback, regarding the information and analysis, much of it positive.

In Jamaica , together with an association of seropositives, Panos has elaborated countrywide media training of infected people, to start in 2006.

Background: Research on critical development issues needs to be communicated. People affected by development issues play a role in ensuring accountability, influencing research agendas, and further communicating and debating the information.

Outcomes and details of impacts achieved: In 2005, Panos worked with UNEP ( Jamaica ) and GHESKIO ( Haiti ) to develop appropriate media and communication strategies and short outlines were prepared for further discussion. Press conferences were held in Haiti on the HIV vaccination trials, in Jamaica on the “Caribbean Environmental Outlook,” and subsequently a total of 3 articles and 2 radio programmes were distributed.

Regional thematic programme: Environment

Background: Panos encourages more local public debate on sustainable development, by producing and disseminating media outputs through (1) a multi-national team of reporters and (2) youth in Haiti .

Outcomes and details of impacts achieved: This year, Panos started a concerted effort to raise public understanding and public debate on climate change and natural disaster management in the Caribbean . We helped two group of child journalists, in Gonaives ( Artibonite , Haiti ) and Croix-des-Bouquets/Frere (North-east of Port-au-Prince , Haiti ) to implement media campaigns related to these issues. Moreover, Panos conducted four reporting fellowships around the UN Climate Change Conference in Montreal , Canada , 28 November - 9 December 2005 ; prepared two media briefings on natural disaster management in Haiti and Jamaica ; produced a total of eight radio programmes and 32 print stories relating to the themes.

Child campaigns: The two groups of 20 children analysed information on disasters, learned about environmental management, looked at disasters in Haiti in recent years (such as the floodings in May and September 2004 which caused more than 4,000 deaths - official count) and subsequently developed media spots, radio programmes and posters. In Gonaives , in December 2005 and January 2006, the children brought out a weekly radio programme on the environment, broadcast by two local radio stations. The feed-back from the population is very positive and appreciative, as it is not common in their city (200,000 inhabitants) to hear children’s voices on the radio talking about issues that affect them (and everyone). In Croix-des-Bouquets/Frere children chose themes relating to energy use, waste management and environmental degradation.

Montreal UN Climate Change Conference: Four fellowships were made available to Dawn Roper (Freelance journalist, Jamaica ), Samuel Baucicault ( Nouvelliste , Haiti ), Jean Numa Goudou (Radio Metropole , Haiti ) and Nancy Roc (CBC, Canada ). The team brought out 19 print articles and 6 radio programmes on the debates in the Conference, which were distributed and broadcast in the Caribbean.

Background: Panos conducts a great number of journalistic training courses each year, generally on the various themes we work on. Courses can run from half a day to one week length.

Outcomes and details of impacts achieved: One course of note in 2005 was on disaster and emergency reporting in Gonaives , Haiti , in May. In September 2004, deadly floodings affected the Gonaives area. Therefore, this course was held in follow-up to a successful course “reporting of natural and humanitarian disasters, March 2004. We also conducted a series of training courses on reporting child rights issues, TB reporting (see above), reporting HIV/AIDS (Jamaica and Haiti).

Background: Together with the Panos London Oral Testimonies Programme, we undertook a project on climate change in a rural area, hard hit by Hurricane Ivan (2004) and land degradation due to bauxite mining over 30 years. The project aims at having the voices of the community heard at the national level to help shape appropriate strategies.

Outcomes and details of impacts achieved: Twelve interviewers from the community were trained and a first set of testimonies has been collected. Some results have been communicated through a newsletter. The project is already making waves in Jamaica as a very innovative way to enable people to make positive contributions.

Background : UNEP conducts a Regional Seas Programme in the Caribbean since 1981, involving all nearly 40 States and Territories. Panos assists this effort, called the Caribbean Environment Programme (CEP), in developing appropriate communication and outreach. Elements include: embedded journalism, media briefings, staff training and strategy development.

Outcomes and details of impacts achieved: Normally in UN meetings, media can only attend during opening and closing ceremonies and special press conferences. However, Panos teams of reporters were allowed to participate fully in four CEP technical meetings, in order to provide indepth reporting. Productions were seen by UNEP staff before publishing, who could speak out a veto if so wished. This form of “embedded journalism” was very beneficial to both sides: in 2005, 19 high quality feature articles, 9 documentary photos and 12 radio stories were produced and distributed in English, French and Spanish. Two media briefings are being prepared and a series of press conferences were held.

Panos also provided UNEP staff training in effective communication with the media and is developing an appropriate communication strategy. Feedback is very positive and should result in much better communication of UNEP with the people of the region on vital issues.

Background: Caribbean people are generally not aware of climate change issues and the potential implications. A major communication effort is needed.

Outcomes and details of impacts achieved: Panos participated in an inaugural meeting of the Caribbean Community Climate Change Centre (CCCCC), a new body, in September 2005 in Belize . Showing the marginalization of the subject, Panos was the only media-oriented organization attending, and therefore provided key inputs in the discussions on communication strategies. Relevant collaboration with this centre and a number of other local and regional organizations came off the ground. One key activity in 2005 was Panos’ input in the finalization of a reporting guide on climate change, in collaboration with the Association of Caribbean Mediaworkers (ACM). In Jamaica , Panos is expected to be invited to sit on the upcoming National Climate Change Committee.

Regional thematic programme: Gender and Social Justice

Background: Although Panos has always included gender perspectives within its activities, this year we were able to engage targeted groups of poor and marginalized women. We utilized the oral testimony methodology to collect testimonies from rape victims in Haiti and in Jamaica and from female media workers in Haiti . Additionally, as a parallel effort to initiate our gender and social justice regional programme, we have collected some testimonies from Commercial Sex Workers (Male and Female) and done some stories relating to Human Trafficking.

Outcomes and details of impacts achieved: In late 2005 in Jamaica, we started building contacts with rape victims (through a local counseling group) and commercial sex workers (through business places) in order to see how to bring out their stories within the development debate.

The incidence of rape seems to be increasing everywhere. In Haiti , on 3 June 2005 Panos broadcast a 30 minute-radio debate on rape with representatives from various organizations. Nine testimonies of female rape victims were collected in Jamaica in late 2005. Although we intended to bring them out on radio and in print, now we are disseminating the stories through print articles and - as a set - in the form of a media briefing. The women interviewed were not ready as yet for radio. In Haiti , a similar oral testimony project is just starting.

In Haiti , we collected oral testimonies of women working in the media from various areas across the country. These will be brought out through a book in early 2006.

Regarding commercial sex workers (CSW), Panos started a process to see how to engage them in HIV/AIDS prevention and care. Since prostitution is illegal in Jamaica , most agencies can not easily include CSW in their public health and anti-AIDS efforts. Till date, we have brought out a few stories (audio and print) which have been well-received (including one 3-page special in a national paper and 1-hour debate on one of the radio stations) and generated considerable debate in Jamaica .

We also met with organizations researching the growing problem of human trafficking to see how Panos can help bringing out relevant information. Stories will be brought out in 2006.

Regional thematic programme: Diaspora

We are starting a new thematic area regarding “Diaspora.” However, at present activities are limited to consultations only.

Board and Staff (status per 31 December 2005):

Board Panos Caribbean

• President: Yves Renard (Saint Lucian)
• Vice-President: Ian Edwards (Jamaican)
• Treasurer: Melinda Bickerstaff (American)
• Secretary: Michael McDowell (Irish/Canadian)
• Members: Barbara Jacobs-Small (Saint Lucian), Reginald Lubin (Haitian), Franklin McDonald (Jamaican), Jean William Pape (Haitian), Mark Wilson (British)

Staff Panos Caribbean

Full-time:

• Jan Voordouw Jan Voordouw Executive Director (Based in Kingston )
• Jean Claude Louis Jean Claude Louis Director Haiti Programme (Based in Port-au-Prince)
• Patricia Watson Regional Director HIV/AIDS (Based in Kingston )
• Indi Mclymont Programme Officer / Journalist (Based in Kingston )
• Valiola Monfiston Programme Officer HIV/AIDS (Based in Port-au-Prince )
• Ladi Olorunyomi Programme Officer (Based in Washington , DC )
• Beaudelaine Pierre Programme Officer Child Rights (Based in Port-au-Prince )
• Guerda St. Louis Receptionist / Admin. Assistant (Based in Port-au-Prince )
• Simon Florival Simon Florival Messenger (Based in Port-au-Prince)

Part-time:

• Eveline Adonis Evelyn Adonis Journalist Child Rights (Based in Jacmel)
• Claudette Bailey Information Assistant (Based in Kingston )
• Orville Bloise Graphic Design (Based in Kingston )
• Jean-Denis Bien-Aimé Journalist Child Rights (Based in Jérémie)
• Margarette Calixte Administrative Officer (Based in Port-au-Prince )
• Ronald Colbert Ronald Colbert Journalism Trainer / media briefings (Based in Port-au-Prince )
• Lukenson Jean Journalist Child Rights (Based in Jacmel)
• Patrick Lafayette Radio Producer (Based in Kingston )
• Patrique Lamour Patrique Lamour Journalist Child Rights (Based in Trou-du-Nord)
• Dawn Roper Journalist (Based in Kingston )
• Anne Shroeder Finance Director, Webmaster (Based in Washington , DC )
• Guerda St. Louis Receptionist/ Admin. Assistant (Based in Port-au-Prince )
• Marc-Jéris Louis-Jean Journalist Child Rights (Based in Jérémie)
• Avia Ustanny Journalist (Based in Kingston )
• Strauss Vedrine Strauss Vedrine Logistics Officer / Director Jacmel Office (Based in Jacmel)
• Luders Victor Journalist Child Rights (Based in Pilate)

Additionally, in 2005 as in other years, many people were recruited for specific tasks and services.