Podcast to Radio- Bringing Global Issues Home to Sub-Sahara Africa

This cooperative agreement will fund the development and broadcast of 30 episodes (from 15 –30 minutes each) to be produced in English, French, and Portuguese on current international topics of which audiences will likely have only superficial awareness. Ten of the thirty episodes should also be produced in Kinyarwanda. Each episode should be lively, fun to listen to, and take the topic from theory to the personal level. It should feature guest experts from a variety of diverse backgrounds with expertise ranging from on the ground knowledge to PhD level and explain the topic, put it into a global context, discuss what the implications are for listeners’ daily lives, and include the tangible connections with the United States. The episodes should highlight U.S. contributions to the subject matter. There are two aspects of dissemination: first, the podcasts will be hosted on grantee’s website, server, or other digital location accessible to the public; and second, podcasts must be disseminated to community or national radio stations in target countries. The grantee will develop a marketing plan and budget and will be responsible for distributing episodes (via USB key, downloadable MP3, internet links, etc.) to radio stations for broadcast (via USB key, downloadable MP3, internet links etc). See topic details below. The overall goal is to lay foundations of understanding about issues that promote rules-based international order and multilateral cooperation; foster democratic progress and respect for human rights; increase mutually beneficial economic growth, trade, and investment; advance peace and stability by creating capable and accountable security institutions; strengthen health security and enhancing environmental sustainability; and engage Africa’s growing youth population as a force for economic dynamism. Episodes should also promote better understanding of U.S. policy viewpoints related to the subject matter. Ideally, the programs will motivate listeners to share the information they learn with others in their communities or use the acquired knowledge to take social action. ARS intends to issue an award for a period of 12 months.