iVillage Project: 

Rural Content through iPad mini

Need and Context:

After a decade long conflictthat ended in 2006, Nepal expects to enter into a new phase of inclusivedemocracy, economic prosperity and social security. Political developments in acouple of years have raised aspirations among the marginalized communitiesliving across the nation. And they are passionately waiting for transformationand their voices and rights to be ensured through the Constituent Assembly.

The reality of rural life was difficult to be represented because of conflict and security problems in the past. However, the situation has changed, with the introduction of more local and community based media in these areas specially radio. But still real stories from the rural Nepal is left untold.

Rural TV Network Nepal  (RTV-Nepal) serves the very purpose to bring in real stories from within the community, by the community- visually to the audience not only at the rural level but all over the world. RTV-Nepal believes that the latest technology can be rightly used for sharing local stories and issues using visual media content.

This initiative of RTV-Nepalis possible because the mobile telephone and Internet users in Nepal is increasing in rural areas rapidly. As per the census report of 2011, 13.18million people in rural areas use cell phones. The report also shows that 180,746households have access to internet –126,654 households in urban and 54,092 in rural areas. This is positive indication about for enthusiast at RTV-Nepal to use internet based transmission of video produced at the rural level in Nepal.Using this method RTV-Nepal with support of some volunteers have started such work to assess possibility.   

iVillage : Rural Content  through iPad

iVillage,is a unique concept started by RTV-Nepal. It is a digital format of rural storytelling. Using this concept RTV-Nepal will train rural community and youth about operation of iPad and iMovie editing software.

The youth after receiving training will use iPad to make a story and upload it in the RTV-Nepal web page in a YouTube format. The youth could use iPad for other purposes like taking photographs, which could also be a means for his/her sustainability in the village in the long run.  

The first phase of i-Village will make rural reporting on various issues. We also provide support for making short documentary about rural development initiative, agriculture production, adventure, culture, life-styles, food, knowledge, local technology etc.

For example:

·iVillage :Three to five minute village profile (our village, beautiful village).

Support us iVillage program: We request individual and institutional donor to provide one iPad mini for one Village Development Committee (VDC). It will also support in digital storytelling in the village and for the introduction of new technology for social purpose. Doing such innovative task will also help in narrowing digital divide.

-      Human Interest stories: Ox fighting in Nuwakot district, horse riding from Dolpa, Sword dance from Gulmi etc.

-      Local solar motor from Baglung

-      Tourism activities from different places 

-      Songs by different ethnicity, region

-    Education— old age education, Girls education program.

About us:

TelevisionJournalist Association of Nepal started RTV- Nepal in 2013. Rural TV is an image of development,lifestyle and culture of rural area in Nepal. It is Nepal's first multi-media web TV (www.ruraltvnepal.com) dedicated to serve the needs and interests of rural people, and those with a passion for rural affairs. Programs are aimed at enthusiast for rural development, rural lifestyle, and farming, along with traditional country music and entertainment.

Rural TV also produces high quality documentary- films, multimedia stories that reflect diverse rural communities and issues. We also aim to reach and inspire audience to encourage learning,understanding, and dialogue about films and media and the issues and emotions that they raise. We also connect the rural and urban life to share their stories and joining better life.

Our Initiatives through Rural TV:

a.    Mainstreaming rural content through new media

Our concern is to mainstream rural content to broadcast through new media. RTV-Nepal will be Nepal's first multi-media web-TV Channel dedicated to serve the needs and interests of rural people, and those with a passion for rural affairs.

b.   V+V Program

Video volunteers are the key personal that make videos for Rural TV. RTV-Nepal will announce young people from rural area for Video Volunteer (V+V) to make creative videos. These volunteers would show their own lifestyle to the rest of the world. TVJ Nepal will give basic training to volunteer for making short video reports.

c.     Build Network: Rural media, national and global media

RTV-Nepal sole purpose is to further strengthen freedom of expression at the rural areas,using volunteers at local level for the purpose of development of rural community voices to be heard at the national and even in international front.So, Rural TV Network  will help in developing strong network with emphasize at the rural level voices by developing relations with different media institutions to the promotion of the freedom expression in rural Nepal.

For Contact in Nepal:

 Himal Neupane    

 TVJ-nepal

 Email:himaltv(@)gmail.com

For Contact in Japan:

 Prof Jun Sakamoto,Hosei University,

 Email:  sakamoto(@)hosei.ac.jp

i-village.doc