ABOUT ORBICOM AND ITS BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Mission

Today we have more ways of communicating, but we also have more problems understanding the impact the diverse means of communication have upon our world and within our communities.

Our society is increasingly reliant upon information. As well, knowledge-based industries demand innovative ways of exchanging information, technology and expertise. We require new models for sharing what we know.

Set up to address these needs, Orbicom is an international network that links communications leaders from academic, media, corporate and government circles with a view to providing for the exchange of information and the development of shared projects.

Orbicom is supported by internationally-based institutions, media, governments and corporations. However, Orbicom’s mandate derives from UNESCO’s New Communications Strategy unanimously adopted at the 1989 General Conference. This Conference foresaw that new communications technologies would have a significant impact upon the complex processes shaping economies, the environment, social justice, democracy, and peace.

Societal change depends upon participatory communications. Greater access to information and increased ways of exchanging knowledge affect social development, democratization and good governance. Orbicom brings the Chairs and the associate members together in a global network.

Discover ORBICOM’s History

Guiding principles

A Network Designed to Link Diversity of Approach and International Expertise

Jointly created in 1994 by UNESCO and Université du Québec à Montréal (UQAM), ORBICOM is a network more of 300 associate members and 60 UNESCO chairs in Communications from around the world. Orbicom currently comprises chairs from Australia, Brazil, Bulgaria, Canada, Chile, China, Colombia, Denmark, Dominican Republic, France, Germany, Guatemala, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Lithuania, Mexico, Morocco, Peru, South Africa (2), Russia, Spain (3), United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, United States (2) and Uruguay. Each of these Chairs includes communications leaders from the private and public sectors. This international collaboration of academics, high level corporate decision makers, policy consultants, and media specialists makes the Orbicom Network unique and constitutes a truly multidisciplinary approach to the promotion of communications development.

Specific Areas of Expertise

Orbicom’s Network underscores its multinational, multisectorial and multilingual approach, and includes expertise in seven key areas. Communications and international development which include international aid policies, decision-making processes, and cross- cultural communications issues. National information policies and communications law which include issues relating to access to information, the impact of media and cultural products on the economy, standards and regulations, as well as intellectual property concerns. Access to, transfer and use of new technologies (NTIC) which include multimedia, automation, innovative media applications and interconnectivity. Strategic development with reference to communications training, conflict resolution, and inter- or intra-institutional communications. Media development and management which include new media issues (Internet, WWW, Hypertext, etc.), editorial freedom, and private and public media. Public relations, public affairs and advertising which include crisis management, political and social communications, accountability, and promotion and marketing of goods and services. Professional training and ethics in journalism, public relations and other communications activities.

Action, Training and Research

Communication technologies are essential to the development and the sharing of knowledge and information. Orbicom seeks to develop dynamic research projects, teaching, training and publications leading to more participative communications. To accomplish this mission, Orbicom has set the following objectives: Develop and promote information sharing and expertise in communication through education, research and concrete action. Link specialists around the world who are working in different communication sectors. Establish training programs and internships to increase communication capacities and promote the reinforcement and the sharing of competences. Establish exchange programs for professors and other specialists who would like to share their knowledge and expertise with other regions. Develop programs of conferences and publications in the area of international communication. Offer, upon request, expert consultation services to international organisations.

Fostering Alliances

Information is dynamic. By the time one figures out a system, it will most likely have changed. No one strategy can solve all problems. Orbicom’s success depends upon an ongoing cross-fertilization among members. We need to be constantly developing new methods to convey knowledge and skills. Orbicom’s alliance of academic, media, corporate and public policy communications leaders fosters sustained consultation between different groups and regions. Orbicom’s strength and uniqueness stem from the convergence of member expertise and vision.Partners from universities, foundations, private corporations, public organizations and professional associations work together to define Orbicom policy. This co-operation enables them to devise strategic broad-based plans for worldwide communications development.

Building Strategic Partnerships

Corporations, foundations, professional associations and leaders in communications industries bring their support in Orbicom. Some choose to sponsor one or more Orbicom activities while others fund a UNESCO Chair. Association with the Orbicom Network provides leading communications industries with an outstanding tool for global involvement, high level exchange, and the opportunity to build strategic alliances with partners in the vanguard of international communications from around the world.Involvement includes sponsorship of one or more Orbicom or UNESCO Chair activities: funding internships, exchanges and research in communications; sponsoring symposia; supporting the interactive electronic site; and, assisting with publications. Orbicom members and partners benefit from the unique interconnectivity and international collaboration that bring communications practice, research and vision together in a global approach to a shared future.

Board of Directors

EX-OFFICIO MEMBERS

Audrey
Azoulay

General Manager

United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).

Magda
fusaro

Acting General Secretary

Network of UNESCO Chairs in Communication (ORBICOM).
Université du Québec à Montréal.
Québec

STEPHANE
PALLAGE

Rector

Université du Québec à Montréal.
Québec

Board members

Philippe
VIALLON

Professor

UNESCO Chair “Journalistic and media practices. Between globalisation and cultural diversity”.
Université de Strasbourg
France

Eric
Olmedo

RESEARCHER AND ANTHROPOLOGIST

UNESCO Chair “Social practices in intercultural communication and social cohesion”.
Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM)
Malaysia

MALVINA EUGENIA
RODRIGUEz

professor

UNESCO Chair in Public Communication for Social Justice, Human Rights and Territorial Development.
Universidad Nacional Villa María (UNVM).
Argentina

JUAN IGNACIO
MARTINEZ DE MORENTIN

professor

UNESCO Chair in Communication and Educational Values.
University of the Basque Country / Euskal Herriko Unibertsitatea (UPV/EHU) / Universidad del País Vasco.
Espagne

ROBERTO
CHIACHIRI

Professor

UNESCO Chair in Communication.
Universidade Metodista de São Paulo.
Brésil

Ghislaine
Azémard

Treasurer

UNESCO Chair in “Innovation Transmission et Edition Numériques” at the Fondation Maison des Sciences de l’Homme, and Professor of Information and Communication Sciences at Université Paris 8.
France

May
Abdallah

PROFESSOR

President of AARCS (Arab Association for Research and Communication Sciences). Université du Liban.
Liban

Manuel Alejandro Guerrero Martínez

PrEsident

Associated with the UNESCO Chair “Chair in Communication and Society”.
Universidad Iberoamericana.
Mexique

GIFTY
APPIAH-ADJEI

PROFESSOR

Department of Journalism and Media Studies
School of Communication and Media Studies
University of Education, Winneba.
Ghana

MIRA K.
DESAI

professOR

Head of the university extension and communication department.
SNDT Women’s University
Juhu Campus
Mumbai, India

RAINER
RUBIRA-GARCIA

PROFESSOR

Director of the Department of Audiovisual Communication and Advertising

Rey Juan Carlos University.
Spain

DENI
DARMAWAN

PROFESSOR

Professor of Educational Communication and Technology
Faculty of Education, Universitas Pendidikan
Bandung, Indonésie

Executive office

EXECUTIVE COUNCIL

Manuel Alejandro Guerrero Martínez

PrEsident

Associée à la chaire UNESCO
« Communication et société ».
Universidad Iberoamericana.
Mexique

ERIC
OLMEDO

Vice-prEsident

UNESCO Chair “Social practices in intercultural communication and social cohesion”.
Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM)
Malaysia

Ghislaine
Azémard

TREASURER

Former President

Jamal Eddine
Naji

honorary president

Director General of the Moroccan Broadcasting Authority (HACA) and founder of the Chair of Public and Community Communication (Souissi Universities).
Morocco