The World Radio Day is an annual international event held on February 13th. UNESCO decided on the Day during its 36th summit on November 3, 2011.
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History of World Radio Day
On September 20, 2010, Spain recommended that the UNESCO Executive Board include an item on the agenda on the declaration of a World Radio Day, in response to a proposal by the Spanish Radio Academy. The Executive Board of UNESCO has included a tentative item on its agenda for the establishment of a “World Radio Day” on September 29, 2011. In 2011, UNESCO held a broad consultation with a variety of stakeholders, including broadcasting associations, UN agencies, grants and programmes, relevant NGOs, foundations, and bilateral development partners, as well as UNESCO Permanent Envoys and National Commissions.
The Board suggested that the UNESCO General Conference announce a World Radio Day during its 36th session, and this day be commemorated by UNESCO on February 13th, the anniversary of the United Nations Radio’s establishment in 1946. It also invited all UN Member States, UN system organisations, other international and regional organisations, professional groups and broadcasting unions, and also civil society, along with non-governmental organisations and individuals, to commemorate World Radio Day in the manner that they deem appropriate.
The board also requested that the Director-General of UNESCO bring the motion to the notice of the United Nations Secretary-General, so that World Radio Day might be supported by the General Assembly and honoured by the entire system. The issue was later addressed by UNESCO’s General Conference, that adopted the resolution. In November 2011, all of UNESCO’s Member States overwhelmingly declared World Radio Day.
The United Nations General Assembly supported the establishment of World Radio Day in December 2012, making it a day to be observed by all United Nations agencies, funds, and programmes, as well as their partners. Various radio industry organisations throughout the world are backing the project, pushing stations in rich countries to help those in developing nations.
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Significance
Radio is a channel that has remained popular for a long time. It’s a place where we can get knowledge, educate people, express ourselves across cultures, and, of course, listen to our favourite music. Radio is an indispensable medium, no matter how sophisticated technology gets, especially in the event of a natural or human-made disaster.
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