Digitizing the Memory of the Social Struggles - Ecuador

This project digitalises and systematises documents of various types (sound files, images, videos) about key events in recent Ecuadorian history collected and brought together by CEDEP / Radio la Luna and other like-minded organisations. The project strengthens the collective memory of Ecuadorian society on key moments in its social struggle. Aim during the first phase was to stimulate broad discussions about important social processes and to educate younger generations about historical events over the past 25 years. This is done in a non-formal manner through the production of multimedia content. Production of the various materials occurs in close collaboration with those who witnessed the events in order to write history alongside the official version.

At the same time, a platform for communication and information was set up by strengthening the Radio la Luna web site. An on-line radio service has been created for listeners outside of Quito under bad broadcasting conditions.

The project also aims to strengthen ties with independent broadcasting organisations and other information networks throughout Latin America in order to exchange content and lessons learned about conserving and strengthening collective memory but also about the use of ICTs to achieve this.

The second phase of the project has a stronger focus on the use of social media to stimulate thes broad discussions and to actively train people to take part in those discussions.

The change of government in December 2006 and the move to the left of Ecuadorian policies are exerting much influence on Ecuadorian society. The population of Ecuador is deeply divided over political issues and this leads to a polarisation of the country which may work out in a counterproductive manner.

Radio broadcasts have played an important role in informing Ecuadorian society about political issues. Radio La Luna has always occupied a leftist position and had, for that reason, lived through difficult times during previous, right-wing governments. With the coming to power of the leftist Correa administration,  and the nomination of Radio La Luna's Director to the Asamblea Constituyente, Radio La Luna's position has strengthened considerably.

The adoption of a new constitution and a second term for President Correa in 2008 and 2009 have created new ways of democratization and more attention for ICT, but also more critisism on the press. More than ever there seems to be a need for independent spaces where citizens can communicate and share information.

Read more about IICD’s Ecuador Country Programme.

The Radio La Luna project has now completed its second phase. Radio La Luna first and foremost focuses on Quito and its immediate environment. Therefore, its outreach is not at the national level with the radio broadcasts. To make up for this, Radio La Luna also publishes a web site with background information, using mainly Web 2.0 tools. The new la Luna Web site has been in operation since early July 2010.

The main focus is still on the training room, with trainings being conducted on a regular basis. The training programme focusses on combining hands-on training with in-depth discussions on access to information, transparency, media and open source software. Currently they are (amongst others) giving courses in civil journalism, in which they combine lessons on use of the web with lectures by journalists. The approach is very clearly using ICT as a tool, not as a starting point, which works quite well.

Sustainability remains the main challenge for the project. The organisation is constantly looking for funding opportunities notably on using the learning centre as a means of income.

• To bring about a culture of political awareness through digitising documentary materials, online and offline debate and strengthening independent media and through stimulating exchange of materials between various independent news agencies in Latin America.

• Through the project, a wide audience, both in Ecuador and abroad, has obtained access to meaningful information about events of social importance in Ecuador.
• Altogether, over the 6 months the learning centre has been in operation, about 180 people have been trained.

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The project is run by CEDEP/Radio la Luna. The NGO CEDEP was established in 1978. In 1997, CEDEP opened an independent radio station, called Radio La Luna. Its main purpose is ‘popular education’, through the production of documentaries. Also, Radio La Luna gives air time to various social organisations.

Widespread social unrest resulting in anti-government protests and a succession of toppled governments. This is Ecuador’s political and social legacy of the last 25 years. In a country where politicians and the general media are often not trusted, Radio La Luna provides a safety valve; its ‘open mike’ policy allows citizens to publicly criticize their government. In 2006, the radio station branched out with a project to digitize documents that describe key moments from Ecuador’s social struggle during this turbulent period.

As of the beginning of the second phase, the la Luna team finally was expanded with two new people (financed by CEDEP) as well as several trainers.