Ombligos al Sol - Mexico
In 2001, Population Communications International (PCI), an international NGO that works with local partners to promote sexual and reproductive health and environmental preservation, launched a programme in Mexico City called "Ombligos al Sol". The weekly 30-minute-long show is broadcast live in Spanish to an adolescent audience in Mexico City each Tuesday night at 8:30 PM on Radio Educación 1060 AM. It is also simultaneously broadcast over the Internet (click here to access online), reaching an even wider audience. Targeting young people from 17 to 24 years old, the show covers themes such as substance abuse, teenage pregnancy, date rape, the risks of contracting HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), eating disorders, and domestic violence. The purpose of the programme is to educate listeners, motivating them to take responsibility for their reproductive health and to seek out youth-friendly health services.
Communication Strategies
The radio show is written, produced, directed, acted, and hosted by a local team of young people. PCI trained the team in scriptwriting and radio production, as well as in substantive issues associated with reproductive health. The radio show has a magazine-like format that includes advice from local experts on the subject of the week, testimonials from young people, a 5-minute mini-drama, and "words from the street" featuring voices of youth in Mexico City. Interactive participation is encouraged in the form of comments or questions via phone or e-mail. Listeners may thereby have their questions answered by the experts, open discussion on sensitive topics that are of concern, while communicating with their peers and providing feedback to the creative and production team. The host and hostess of the show also direct the audience members to youth-friendly service providers.
Ombligos also uses the Internet as a strategy to inform young audiences. At the Ombligos website, audience members can find additional information on previous topics, send in comments, participate in discussion forums on the issues, or check out the latest news and events coming up for the programme. The website also opens the possibility for anyone with Internet access to have the information at their fingertips any time regardless of where they are located geographically. The site is regularly updated and maintained by two of the Ombligos team members and also serves as a monitoring tool for response to the programme.
Ombligos also uses the Internet as a strategy to inform young audiences. At the Ombligos website, audience members can find additional information on previous topics, send in comments, participate in discussion forums on the issues, or check out the latest news and events coming up for the programme. The website also opens the possibility for anyone with Internet access to have the information at their fingertips any time regardless of where they are located geographically. The site is regularly updated and maintained by two of the Ombligos team members and also serves as a monitoring tool for response to the programme.
Development Issues
Youth, drug abuse, adolescent pregnancy and sexuality, STDs, HIV/AIDS.
Key Points
'Ombligos al Sol' means 'Bellybuttons to the Sun,' which is indicative of the effort to openly discuss topics that are usually considered private or taboo.
In 2003, the Population Institute awarded Ombligos al Sol the Global Media Award for Excellence in PopulationReporting (Best Radio Program category).
In 2003, the Population Institute awarded Ombligos al Sol the Global Media Award for Excellence in PopulationReporting (Best Radio Program category).
Sources
On Air, PCI's Newsletter, Winter 2002; and PCI site; and letter sent from Lillian Chege to The Communication Initiative on October 6 2003.
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