Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Buenos Aires (Agenzia Fides) - About 40 representatives from among Catholic producers and television channels from the Americas met on April 20 in Buenos Aires (Argentina) to discuss topics related to production and promotion of audiovisual materials in the Americas and in the rest of the world. The encounter was organized by the World Catholic Association of Social Communications, SIGNIS, that for the first time organized an international encounter in Latin America, with participants from Hong Kong, Ecuador, Spain, Australia, Belgium, Cuba, Brazil, Mexico, Argentina, Belize, Panama, Chile, Haiti, France, Taiwan, Peru, South Africa, the United States of America, Germany, Trinidad, Venezuela, Bolivia and Colombia.
The objective of this encounter is to promote audiovisual productions and exchange experiences between professionals from the all over the world and Latin American television channels. The event was also attended by the Executive Secretary of the Department of Social Communication of CELAM, Father Carlos Arturo Quintero Gomez, who presented the video “Creeemos y esperamos” (We believe and hope), on the Fifth Latin American Bishops’ Conference in Aparecida (Brazil), which took place in May 2007, and spoke of the Continental Mission as a challenge for all Catholic television producers who are called to promote this event in the Church.
For CELAM, this event is of great importance and will serve as a preparation for the encounter of television producers in November, in Mexico, sponsored by the Communications Department.
According to the Catholic Latin American and Caribbean Organization for Communications, (OCLACC), there has been an enthusiastic participation in the workshops and in the exchange of experiences of Latin America producers who are discussing the possibility of producing and airing programs to a local public that demands quality, attractive content, and therefore, an alternative television station. As is the case in all the events of Catholic organizations, they hope to offer a Christian message in social communications and thus, be a testimony to the world. They also hope to share materials and experiences that can be of mutual help in improving the quality of programs and thus, respond to the deep yearnings of our society, that should also join in this effort.
There are two proposals that have arisen among participants. The first, was the proposal of a website with an updated list of the productions available worldwide, with a brief description, a clip, and contact information. The other proposal was the adequate promotion of the Continental Mission that was proposed by the Bishops in Aparecida and that will be launched in the 3rd American Missionary Congress - CAM3, which will be held in Quito, this August. (RG) (Agenzia Fides 24/4/2008 righe 36, parole 428)
