An attempt to "give voice to the silenced" through local and community radio stations has started at NUI Galway's Open Learning Centre.
The initiative is a new national media award which aims to foster links between voluntary organisations, individuals and the radio networks in an effort to highlight cases of inequality and discrimination.
In spite of a raft of legislation to protect people, there were still "many, many cases where ordinary, honest and hard-working people feel betrayed," Ms Nuala Keher, SIPTU/NUI Galway Alliance director and leader of the project, said.
"Worse still, they feel they have been let down by the system."
The award, entitled Equality Emerging, is part of an EU-funded NOW project managed by the NUI, Galway-SIPTU Alliance in conjunction with the NUI, Galway Women's Studies Centre and Women on Air.
Entrants are invited to submit programmes of about 30 minutes made by a local or community radio station in collaboration with a voluntary organisation, such as a trade union, community group, voluntary body, women's group or single issue action group.
Programmes may be in English or Irish, and must have been broadcast before February 28th, 2000. However, the initial closing date for those wishing to compete is November 30th, 1999.
Further details are available from Liz Burke, co-ordinator, Open Learning Centre, NUI Galway, Ballard House, Westside, Galway on (091) 528654 or email: open@iol.ie
Contact number
Readers who wish to contact Lorna Siggins can leave messages by dialling (01) 670-7711, extension 6299
