Honiara (Fides Service) - Using radio to communicate and promote understanding among peoples and cultures, dialogue and sharing. This was the theme of a seminar for youth hosted by Solomon Islands Broadcasting Company SIBC Fr Ambrose Pereira SDB of Catholic Communications Solomons told Fides. The objective was to help school age youngsters to learn more about the possibilities for communication, formation and information via the radio and exactly how radio works.
The seminar followed the theme for reflection launched for World Communications Day, ‘understanding among peoples and cultures’. Speakers emphasised the fact that radio is a friendly and personal medium a ‘Radio - theatre of the mind’ and explained the different formats that SIBC uses today.

The students had time to prepare their scripts on youth issues of their choice. During the afternoon session they had the thrilling experience of recording their voices in different formats. ‘Influences of youth’ - a short radio drama by the students of St. John’s school was much appreciated and broadcast on SIBC on 23rd May, 2005. Various schools presented their projects: Bishop Epalle school prepared interviews on Teenage pregnancy, St. Joseph’s School on HIV and Don Bosco School had a panel discussion on Premarital Sex. “It’s a day I will never forget”, exclaimed Flovey Osifelo at the end of a thrilling session at which she and her companions had the privilege of recording the St. John’s short radio drama. It has given me an opportunity to share my views with others and encourage them to listen to god -values” stated Inikopuria Sinagebola, from Don Bosco.
“We learnt the history of SIBC and how the staff runs the many programmes”, said Cletus Pita, a student from St. Joseph’s, Tenaru. With their own Radio Bosco the Salesian Fathers in Solomon Islands offer a wide range of programmes from news to education, music, as well as religious subjects and live broadcasts of daily Mass.
(PA) (Agenzia Fides 30/5/2005 righe 24 parole 287)