Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Rome (Agenzia Fides) - “Cross-Cultural Communication, Communicational Paths and Strategies in Times of Crisis,” was the title of the study day organized by the Pontifical University Urbaniana, at the close of the Masters I in Social Communications. There were reflections and experiences from communicating in a cross-cultural and missionary environment. But not only theory. The Masters students also shared a taste of the food and drink typical in their countries, including Brazil, India, Italy, DR Congo, Rwanda, Sudan, and Togo.
Cecilia Rinaldi, journalist of the RAI (Italian Public Television), from the experiences of the Radio show “The Forgotten Planet,” spoke on the three risks run by the journalist in presenting information on poor or developing nations: “Above all, they should pay special attention that they do not perpetuate a Euro-centric vision and think that everyone else is always in need of our help, our money, our intelligence. We have a lot to learn from the so-called poor nations.” Another risk to be avoided, she said, is that of speaking “according to a folkloric style, reducing the reality of popular tradition, confirming cliches or stereotypes.” Lastly, another risk for journalists “is that of falling prisoner to the requests and pressures of the NGOs and other minorities that, as soon as they see the opportunity to show their greatness in cooperation, they are after you until the day you die.”
The theme of communications in a cross-cultural time period was addressed by Filomeno Lopes of Guinea Bissau, philosopher and journalist at Vatican Radio: “the problem of cross-cultures, however, is especially coming about thanks to immigration. Simply because of the 'problematic' presence of so many immigrants in Italy, we are forced to face the problem. However, it has really been present since the dawn of humanity. We are all created equal, so we are enriched by our encounter with others, with other cultures. My culture is not the center, but the bridge, in my encounter with others.” In the program for the day, there was also a theatrical performance on Saint Paul, presented by the Masters students. (MT) (Agenzia Fides 26/5/2009)
