Chad : A Week to Train Faith – Based Radio Stations in the face of security challenges in the region.
30 August – 4 September
The Sahel belt continues to endure compounding crises: climate shocks, political instability, and the rise of jihadist insurgency… In this context, over 100 media practitioners gathered in N’Djamena from August 30 to September 4 to sharpen their insights and technical expertise, seeking to be equipped to address these challenges in their particular setting.
Approximately 120 participants took part in the AbR Media – FOMECAF conference with the theme: Christian Media: Innovating, Resisting, and Serving. Journalists, radio hosts, audio and transmitter technicians, as well as those interested in developing their skills in AI & Marketing, attended the conference. The vast majority traveled from host country Chad; roughly 30% came from northern Cameroon, alongside representatives who made the journey from the Central African Republic and Burundi.
A Genuine Thirst to Learn
Trainers and organizers alike were struck by the attendees’ deep commitment throughout the week. Hailing from environments where opportunities for professional development remain scarce, participants demonstrated an earnest desire to learn, maintaining steadfast attendance from start to finish. Trainers also praised the solid baseline proficiencies already held by many participants, spanning field recording, live presentation, and the adoption of emerging digital technologies.
Crafting Programs for Youth
The central Sahel represents the region most severely affected by jihadist terrorism,” explains Illia Djadi, analyst with the NGO Open Doors. “Countries including Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso have evolved into epicenters of activity for organizations such as Islamic State, Al-Qaeda, and affiliated factions.” Across three dedicated sessions, the former BBC journalist urged Christian and community radio stations alike to make room in their broadcasts for a message of hope tailored to populations living in countries where the median age is around 20.
According to the Open Doors analyst, regional broadcasters must champion “integral radio”, content centered on themes that benefit society at large, including peaceful coexistence, interfaith dialogue, and countering messages of hatred with a Christian message of peace. He further highlighted the imperative to “redeem terrorists,” pointing to cases of families in Burkina Faso torn apart by the conflict—where one brother was swayed by jihadist propaganda while another enlisted in the national armed forces.
A Milestone First in Chad
This regional gathering marked the very first time the event was hosted in Chad. It was co-organized under the auspices of AbR Media (Africa by Radio) and the Forum des Médias Chrétiens d’Afrique Francophone (FOMECAF). AbR Medias is a network of Christian media professionals fostering training, networking, and best-practice sharing across the continent. FOMECAF brings together Christian media practitioners and leadership across Francophone Africa.
We believe that this joint conference arrived “at precisely the right moment” in a particularly vulnerable region, and a true “milestone” in engagement on the African continent.