PEACEKEEPING DEPARTMENT, AFROPOP WORLDWIDE ANNOUNCE PIONEERING PRO BONO ACCORD

NEW YORK, 15 November (DPKO) -- The United Nations Department of Peacekeeping Operations (DPKO) today signed a pro bono agreement with Afropop Worldwide, a not-for-profit organization which promotes African music, for the provision of music programming for a number of United Nations radio stations in Africa.

Afropop Worldwide is an apolitical, not-for-profit, United States based non-governmental organization which promotes African music by producing shows that are broadcast on more than 100 public radio stations in the United States, Africa and Europe and by providing online services such as www.afropop.org and weekly podcasts.  Through this partnership, Afropop Worldwide will regularly provide selected United Nations radio stations in the field with their acclaimed flagship radio programme, Afropop Worldwide, hosted by international broadcast personality Georges Collinet from Cameroon.

“Music transcends all lines and helps people understand each other.  That is one of the many goals that we have as peacekeepers.  We will all benefit from this agreement, as it will allow us to better promote African music in different peacekeeping missions, and make our radio stations more appealing to our listeners,” said Jean-Marie Guéhenno, Under-Secretary-General for Peacekeeping Operations.  He also stated that the agreement was another way to bring the DPKO closer to public-spirited organizations interested in supporting the work of the United Nations.  The Department currently manages 18 peace operations with almost 100,000 total personnel, 70 per cent of whom serve in Africa.

“Afropop Worldwide promotes the recognition and enjoyment of African music and stories all around the world.  We are thrilled that this agreement allows us to reach listeners in parts of Africa covered only by UN radio stations.  We are especially pleased that this initiative will help connect listeners in Africa with other parts of the continent.  Surprisingly, there is a great need for this.  Our overall goals are to help the world appreciate the fantastic diversity and richness of African culture, and so, help to develop the international market for African music and musicians.  In this, we are delighted to be joining forces with UN peacekeeping in trying to make a positive difference in challenging situations,” said Sean Barlow, Executive Producer of Afropop Worldwide.

Contacts:  Nick Birnback (birnbackn@un.org), (917) 367-5044; Sean Barlow (sean@afropop.org), (718) 398-2733

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For information media • not an official record