2005-2006 Annual Report
Message from the president
It would be natural to think that, after 30-plus years of professional involvement in Canadian broadcasting, radio would no longer have the capacity to surprise or even impress me. Surely by now I'd have seen - or heard - everything. Let me assure you, nothing could be further from the truth. The power and vitality of radio to connect people and foster social change constantly amazes and inspires me. And the need to strengthen radio, so it reaches more people, with better information, delivered in engaging and compelling format, has never been greater - never more necessary. This is especially true in sub-Saharan Africa, where persistent problems of poverty, hunger, disease, isolation, and insecurity can only be tackled if we improve African people's access to reliable and accurate information. The new information e-highway largely bypasses rural Africa - radio does not. That is why the work of Developing Countries Farm Radio Network is so vitally important.
This has been a year of innovation at DCFRN.Working from our secure and supportive base in the offices ofWorld University Service of Canada, we have made important strides in our programming. Some of the highlights include: adding 40 more radio stations to our Network; training African partners to write scripts, and moving three-quarters of our scriptwriting from Canada to Africa; developing and moderating an electronic broadcaster discussion group; partnering with UNESCO to produce a CD-ROM packed with scripts on the UN's Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and distribute it to five hundred radio stations in sub-Saharan Africa.We also expanded the number of Canadians that know about us and support our work.
To maintain effective governance, the board deliberated on, and adopted a document that outlines the role and responsibilities of individual board members and the board as a whole.This will help us focus on the right tasks, give DCFRN good leadership, and keep us accountable to members, donors, and partners. It will also help prospective board members to know what faces them! On the staff front, we said goodbye to Jennifer Pittet, who was Managing Editor of our Radio Scripts program and had worked at DCFRN since 1984. Jennifer's contribution has been a huge one, and we are glad we had a chance to show her our appreciation at our AGM in November.
While Jennifer will be missed, we were delighted to engage Vijay Cuddeford as our new Managing Editor. Also this year, we hired a new Executive Director, Diane Huffman. Though Diane's stay was less than a year, she managed much innovation in both program and fundraising, and left us with solid results. (In order that you not have to wait for next year's annual report to learn of Diane's successor, I am pleased to announce that the board has hired Kevin Perkins, former Director of Programs for Canadian Physicians for Aid and Relief, to become Executive Director at the end of May 2006.)
Thanks largely to increased annual contributions from our many donors, DCFRN finished the year comfortably in the black, in spite of having inaugurated expanded programming. For this, we extend our profound thanks to our many loyal contributors. It is, after all, our Canadian donors who provide the foundation upon which we are able to sustain our current program and adapt to new challenges and opportunities.
The year ahead promises to deliver still more innovation and strategic growth. In particular, our broadcasting partners are looking for training opportunities, so that they can better serve smallholder farmers. This has become a strategic priority for DCFRN, requiring the design, development and delivery of new training materials - and securing new financial resources to make it all possible.We are honoured that African broadcasters think highly enough of us to request this kind of help.We will do what we can to meet this important need.
The work of charities like DCFRN depends entirely on the commitment, dedication, passion and energy of a great many people - staff, board members, volunteers, advisors, and donors. To all of you, I extend deep and heartfelt thanks. Your contributions have made 2005-06 a great year. Your continued involvement will give DCFRN an even greater future!
Doug Ward,
President and Chair, DCFRN Board of Directors
I would like to thank you for the publications you have sent us. They provide a great service in our agricultural shows, and our audience greatly appreciates them.
Talla Dieng, Penc Mi FM 90.6, Senegal
Lloyd Robertson, Chief News Anchor and Senior News Editor of CTV News, has been the official spokesperson for DCFRN since 1989. In 2005-06, Lloyd deepened his support for DCFRN by writing letters to the organization's donors, keeping them informed about our work and asking for renewed contributions. Lloyd is no stranger to the importance of radio. Indeed, he began his broadcasting career in 1952 at CJCS radio in his home-town of Stratford and then joined CJOY in Guelph in 1953. His deep understanding of the importance of sharing information through broadcasting together with a strong commitment to philanthropy make Lloyd a truly fitting spokesperson for DCFRN.
2005-06: Making a Difference Through Farm Radio
DCFRN accomplishments in 2005-06:
- We researched, developed and published 3 script packages, consisting of 32 radio scripts or episodes, and shared them with 281 partners in 38 sub-Saharan African countries. Given that 2006 was the United Nations designated Year of Desertification, the main theme of this year's publications was desertification. Scripts focused on soil fertility, water management, soil conservation and agroforestry in dryland areas. Package Number 75 was called Tapping into Farmers Traditional Systems of Forecasting Drought and Other Environmental Change. It contained nine scripts. Package Number 76, called Trees Hold Down the Soil and Keep Back the Desert contained 10 scripts. Package Number 77 was a 13-part radio drama series entitled The Long Dry Season: A Tale of Greed and Resourcefulness. Co-produced with the African Radio Drama Association, The Long Dry Season is an exciting approach that combines the allure of soap opera with educational content about sustainable resource management.
- Voices is a newsletter published and distributed by DCFRN that helps African radio stations provide their listeners with excellent and informative broadcasts. Voices contains a range of helpful material, including: articles relating to script topics; tips on how to write scripts, conduct better interviews, and produce effective broadcasts; information on partners within the Network; introductions to new partners; profiles of individuals or regional partners; resource lists, and information on up-coming events that would benefit radio broadcasters. In 2005-06, 3 issues of Voices were produced and distributed to the network
- A CD-Rom containing 30 previously-produced scripts was compiled in collaboration with UNESCO, and distributed to over 500 African broadcasters and communication organizations. All of these scripts related to the UN’s Millenium Development Goals, making this initiative an important contribution to UNESCO’s strategy for publicizing the goals.
- Our African partners became more involved in script development.We contracted partners to write 70% of our 2005-06 scripts.
- We signed up 40 new radio partners in Africa, bringing the total to 281 - a 17% gain in new members of the DCFRN Network.
- In 2005-06, we placed much greater emphasis on facilitating stronger peer-to-peer linkages and relationships among Network members. We accomplished this in several innovative ways, including: convening an electronic broadcaster discussion group; compiling a comprehensive list of partner stations in West and Central Africa in Voices and on our website, and; through face to face meetings with partners in Senegal, Kenya and Uganda.
- We collaborated with several African agricultural organizations including the World Agroforestry Centre and the West and Central African Council for Agricultural Research and Development.
- DCFRN raised awareness among at least 15,000 Canadians about the role of radio in addressing development challenges in Africa. This was done through newsletters, public presentations, letters from Lloyd Robertson, and workshops.
George Atkins Award Winner
This Year's George Atkins Communications Award Winner - African Radio Drama Association (ARDA)
Data Phido, ARDA's program director and winner of the George Atkins Communications Award
Data Phido, the Program Director of the African Radio Drama Association (ARDA), Nigeria, has been involved in several DCFRN activities since her organization joined the Network in 2003. She has contributed to DCFRN script packages, most notably coordinating a talented scriptwriting team to produce a special 13-episode drama for DCFRN's March 2006 package on the issue of desertification entitled "The Long Dry Season: A Tale of Greed and Resourcefulness". The result was an edge-of-your seat entertaining drama with heroes and villains, multiple plots, fascinating characters, and lots of action and humour.Woven throughout the tale are important messages about the dangers of desertification and about positive steps farmers can take to prevent it. Data has also participated in DCFRN's electronic broadcaster discussion group. She has overseen program design and management at ARDA for the last 10 years.
ARDA is a production and training center for interactive and participatory programs. The group produces and syndicates entertainment and educational radio programs on radio stations throughout Nigeria. Program topics cover democracy and good governance, maternal health, sexual responsibility, women's rights and child survival. ARDA works with several community radio listeners' clubs and has also trained and supported women's groups and farming associations to produce and broadcast their own programs under the award winning Development through Radio (DTR) project called "Village Meeting".
About the George Atkins Communications Award
Named after Dr. George S. Atkins, Founding Director of Developing Countries Farm Radio Network, the George Atkins Communications Award was established in 1991 to recognize rural radio broadcasters for their outstanding commitment to food security and poverty reduction in low-income countries. The Award is presented to a broadcaster that is committed to responding to small-scale farmers' needs and to partnering with DCFRN. To be eligible for the Award, the recipient must be part of an organization that is directly involved in radio activities in Africa and has been a DCFRN partner for a minimum of one year.
From 1999 when I joined [the Network], my approach to farm broadcasting has been widened and deepened. I have been exposed to vast information resources and ideas from different backgrounds and locations across the globe. The content and values of our programming have been facilitated and enhanced with unwavering inspiration from Farm Radio Network.
Sachia Ngutsav, Radio Benue, Nigeria
Canadian Partners and Funders
Canadian International Development Agency
On April 1st 2005, DCFRN entered into a new three-year, $600,000 agreement with the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA). This contribution from the Government of Canada will help DCFRN to develop and share 9 script packages containing 90 new scripts, produce 9 volumes of the Voices newsletter, expand and strengthen the network in Africa, and continue our public engagement work in Canada until 2008.
World University Service of Canada
DCFRN continues to benefit from the management services of WUSC. WUSC's strong capacity in financial and human resource management, information technology, and program development has given DCFRN a firm and cost-effective base upon which to grow and improve our activities.WUSC's network of African field offices has given DCFRN new ways of accessing and supporting our network members. For example, in Malawi,WUSC field staff hosted a meeting of broadcasters, leading to stronger relationships between DCFRN and those partners and to broadcaster networking within Malawi. Together, DCFRN and WUSC are working on other ways to increase the use of radio as a means of providing access to information to rural communities throughout Africa.
International Development Research Centre
The International Development Research Centre (IDRC) provided DCFRN with $30,000.00 for a project entitled 'Radio for Farmers and Food Security: An Internet Initiative to Build Broadcaster Capacity.' To improve our capacity to work with radio broadcasters, DCFRN invested in a new and user-friendly website together with a secure and efficient system for managing information about Network members. Launched in May 2005, visits to the new website traffic more than tripled within 5 months. The result is that DCFRN is able to widely and inexpensively distribute its resources. Our scripts and other publications are available on the website in an attractive and easily accessible and relevant way. The site also links radio broadcasters to other organizations and resource experts on issues relevant to rural Africa.
University of Guelph LARRRA Project
DCFRN collaborated with University of Guelph, the West and Central African Council for Agricultural Research and Development and le Reseau d'expertise des politique agricoles (REPA) to convene and facilitate a workshop entitled Linking Agricultural Research and Rural Radio in Africa (LARRRA). The theme of the workshop was how to communicate agricultural research information to farmers. It was held June 6 - 11, 2005 in Dakar, Senegal, and brought together 24 agricultural researchers, radio broadcasters, NGO representatives, and agricultural extensionists from six African countries.
The Commonwealth of Learning
The Commonwealth of Learning (COL) supported DCFRN in the implementation of a pilot project in 2004-05 to investigate the use of E-mail discussion groups as a training venue for radio broadcasters. The project was successful as a non-formal education tool, linking 25 partners to experts and innovate ways of attracting their listeners. DCFRN maintained contact with the original participants in the pilot project and offered another electronic discussion session to all of our members in January 2006. Thirty-two partners joined a discussion about writing scripts related to the Millennium Development Goals.
Financials
Statement of revenues and expenditures for the year ended March 31, 2006
| 2006 | 2005 | |
|---|---|---|
| Revenues | ||
| Donations Individuals and groups Foundations Corporations |
237,032 43,000 - |
173,973 36,000 - |
| Canadian International Development Agency | 200,000 | 201,300 |
| Project grants | 30,945 | 35,347 |
| Other | 1,201 | 45 |
| 512,178 | 446,665 | |
| Expenditures | ||
| International program (scripts and broadcaster support) | 282,668 | 187,029 |
| Administrative expenses | 157,702 | 193,083 |
| Fundraising | 42,516 | 53,761 |
| 482,886 | 465,530 | |
| Net Revenue (expenditure) | 29,292 | 12,792 |
| Statement of Net Assets | ||
| Assets Current Assets Cash Receivables Prepaid and deposits |
131,499 18,761 324 |
104,813 47,951 3,833 |
| 150,584 | 156,597 | |
| Capitial Assets | 6,549 | 9,354 |
| Other Assets-deferred gifit | 10,540 | 10,540 |
| 167,673 | 176,491 | |
| Liabilities Current liabilities Accounts payable and accrued liabilities Deferred revenue |
70,020 - |
79,816 28,314 |
| 70,020 | 108,130 | |
| Net assets | 97,653 | 68,361 |
| Net assets consist of: Invested in capital assets Unrestricted |
6,549 91,104 |
9,354 68,361 |
| 97,653 | 68,361 | |
Board of Directors
George Stuart Atkins, C.M.
Retired Farmer/Farm Broadcaster, CBC
Louise Atkins
Senior Advisor, National Homelessness Initiative
Nancy Brown-Andison (Vice-President)
Consultant (Public Sector), IBM
David Barrie
Farmer/Volunteer Agricultural Missionary in Africa
Helen Hambly Odame
Local Institutional Development Specialist, Faculty of the School of Environmental Design & Rural Development, University of Guelph
Gilbert Heroux
Director General, Vanier College
Heather Hudson
Director, Telecommunications Program, University of San Francisco School of Business Administration
Graham McLeod
Lawyer, Infrastructure Ontario
Janette McDonald
Executive Director, Alberta Pulse Growers
Charles Marful
Director Human Resources Tax Practice Ernts and Young
Matthew Mendelsohn
Associate Professor (Political Science), Queen's University
Laura Ranced
Associate Editor, Farmers Independent Weekly
Doug Ward (President)
Retired Regional Director (Ottawa), CBC Radio
Staff
Executive Director
Diane Huffman
Managing Editor
Vijay Cuddeford
Administrative Officer
Anne Girard
Public Engagement Officer
Chantal Begin
Developing Communication Coordinator
Blythe McKay
Thank You
For over 25 years, small-scale farmers and their families have benefited from the generosity of DCFRN's friends and supporters. We greatly acknowledge the financial contribution of the many individuals, groups, corporations and foundations that gave to DCFRN this year. Because of their commitment and support, we were able to fund the activities outlined in this report. We would like to make a special mention of the following donors:
- Morrison Foundation
- The Peterborough K.M. Hunter Charitable Foundation
- N.A. Taylor Foundation
- S. M. Blair Family Foundation
- St. Catherine’s Anglican Church
- Les soeurs de la congregation de Notre-Dame
- Bouza & Associates
We very much appreciate the continuing support of the Government of Canada provided through the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA).
