Bukavu (Fides Service) - Representatives of twelve different radio stations, private and public, sponsored by religious groups and civil society are taking part in a week long meeting to discuss how the radio can help the country in this phase of rebuilding. "This is a great step forward also for ecumenism and interreligious dialogue", said Italian Xaverian missionary Father Luigi Lo Stocco of Radio Maria Malkia Wa Amani in Bukavu. On the first day of discussion it was decided that the first thing to do was to build a communication network RATECO which will be co-ordinated by a committee of three radios.
The meeting, which will end on 22 February, has seen the participation of the following radio stations: Moto of Beni region, Kanyabayonga civil society, Sauti ya mkaaji (the voice of the people) of Kasongo, Ibra Protestant radio in Bukavu, Maendeleo civil society in Bukavu, Radio Mary Queen of Peace Bukavu archdiocese, Kahuzi Protestant radio in Candip, Bunya, Liberté of Buta, Boboto radio of Isiro diocese, the Voice of Wamba, Amani Kisangani of Kisangani diocese. Addressing the participants the representative of the mayor of Bukavu said that the voice of the radio reaches everyone and that it is a most powerful means for the formation of the men and women of Congo. SL (Fides Service 19/2/2003 EM lines 15 Words: 203)