Evaluation of the Workshop

Forty persons (non FAO-members) attended the Workshop. Out of them, thirty-one, present on the last day, completed the questionnaire. Therefore, the sample is representative.

1. Participants' Expectations Regarding the Workshop

Before the Workshop, participants expected¹

• To share experiences (according to 11 answers)
• To create a network, to facilitate collaboration and partnerships (10 answers)
• To learn about ICTs (6)
• To learn on other topics (6)
• To "discover" the other part of the World (5)
• And/or to get to know more about rural radio (4).

2. Participants' Satisfaction

Most of the participants were very satisfied with the Workshop itself (71% of the participants declared themselves very satisfied) as well as with the preparation of the Workshop (61 % of very satisfied). Main recommendation regards the program: In the future, there should be less presentations/papers, in order to leave more time for questions, debates and discussions.

3. The results obtained: Lessons Learnt and "Taken Away"

For most of the participants (74%), the results obtained conformed to their initial expectations and to the Workshop's objectives.

North-Americans reported as a lesson learnt from the Workshop: "There is a big difference between farm radio in the USA and rural radio in Africa". They are "curious" about African broadcasters, willing to help them, to support them. African broadcasters shared experiences with their continental colleagues (South-South cooperation) and are interested in financial resources available from the North (North-South cooperation).

When returning home, participants will still be involved in the Workshop: 100% of the participants declare that they will share what they heard, exchanges they had, and have the documents distributed to their colleagues. According to 84% of the answers, participants will also put into practice what they heard at the workshop

Here are some concrete actions participants will undertake.

• Report and share information with colleagues and with radio listeners (12 quotations)
  I will produce radio programmes based on interviews with persons attending workshop... I will produce at least 25 programs from materials and notes gathered. I recorded 12 interviews with broadcasters... My report will be distributed to all community radio stations in South Africa... I shall integrate quality scientific information into our programs for rural people
  
  
• Put into practice what they learnt (9 quotations)
  I have acquired fresh ideas on conducting training... To obtain quality scientific information... Use FAO multimedia information center on food security, early warning and market prices.... Use ICTs to mitigate the effects of environmental degradation in fishing communities, by involving members of the listening communities themselves in the design f the project... Access info through the Internet and consult communities at all levels
  
  
• Americans and Europeans offer their support (4 quotations), while African will try to raise funds and to convince partners from the North (2).

4. Workshop Follow-Up: Recommendations by the Participants

Participants expressed many expectations, ideas for follow-up and cooperation projects.

• For the very short term, receive participants' details and conclusions of the Workshop (5 requests). Afterwards, be informed on works in progress, follow-up and decisions (5)
  
  
• Be informed on rural radio (6 requests), training opportunities (4), ICTs (3) and food security (3)
  
  
• Focus follow-up on a specific topic (8) to prevent Workshop pitfalls
  
  
• Build network and strengthen relationship between participants (10) to favour cooperation and partnerships
  
  
• Include more people from the field (4) and plan some follow-up by country (2)
  
  
• Facilitate fund raising (5)
  Formulate American radios' expectations for partnership with radios from the South... Explain how rural radio can be supported: process & resources.... Programmes exchanges, research findings and funding... Mailing list for info on funding mechanisms & sustainability ideas for community or rural radios and assistance for developing community radio in Nigeria
  
  
• ... As well as North-South cooperation (6)
  Identify some radio stations in Africa and perhaps help them secure equipment and program materials... Bridge between Africa rural radios and the developed World rural radio for the exchange of technology and methodology for adaptation to African needs.
  
  
• Establish a Committee for follow-up as well as an action plan (5)
  
  
• Give further responsibilities to FAO (10 quotations), so that FAO continues to assert the importance of rural radio worldwide, and takes the leadership for conducting Workshop follow-up and action plan
  
  
• Organise an other workshop on progress in 1 or 2 years' time (2).

5. Information requested

Asked about their needs in terms of information, participants want FAO to dedicate a website to rural radio, where they can:

• Find information on food and agriculture matters (7), especially on food security, but also on post-harvest, agrometeorology, market prices, health and breeding
  
  
• Follow ideas and trends in terms of radio and programmes (7)
  
  
• Access extended information, that they can use and adapt to local situation (country and community)
  
  
• Find all the materials distributed during the Workshop (papers and final report) as well as the follow-up (especially regarding funding of projects and training opportunities)
  
  
• Share information, have e-discussions and chats as a follow-up.

1 Each participant may expect several expectations.