Proclaimed in 2011 by the Member States of UNESCO and adopted by the United Nations General Assembly in 2012 as an International Day, February 13 became World Radio Day (WRD).

Radio is a powerful medium for celebrating humanity in all its diversity and constitutes a platform for democratic discourse. At the global level, radio remains the most widely consumed medium. This unique ability to reach out the widest audience means radio can shape a society’s experience of diversity, stand as an arena for all voices to speak out, be represented and heard. Radio stations should serve diverse communities, offering a wide variety of programs, viewpoints and content, and reflect the diversity of audiences in their organizations and operations.

Radio is a low-cost medium specifically suited to reaching remote communities and vulnerable people, offering a platform to intervene in the public debate, irrespective of people’s educational level. It also plays a crucial role in emergency communication and disaster relief.

Radio is uniquely positioned to bring communities together and foster positive dialogue for change. By listening to its audiences and responding to their needs, radio services provide the diversity of views and voices needed to address the challenges we all face.

The theme for the 12^th edition of the World Radio Day, to be celebrated on 13 February 2023, is "Radio and Peace".

War, as an antonym to peace, signifies an armed conflict between countries or groups within a country, but may also translate into a conflict of media narratives. The narrative can increase tensions or maintain conditions for peace in a given context. In reporting and informing the general public, radio stations shape public opinion and frame a narrative that can influence domestic and international situations and decision-making processes. In reality, professional radio moderates' conflict and/or tensions, preventing their escalation or bringing about reconciliation and reconstruction talks. In contexts of distant or immediate tension, relevant programmes and independent news reporting provide the foundation for sustainable democracy and good governance by gathering evidence about what is happening, informing citizens about it in impartial and fact-based terms, explaining what is at stake and brokering dialogue among different groups in society.

“… since wars begin in the minds of men, it is in the minds of men that the defenses of peace must be constructed.”

That is the reason why support to independent radio has to be viewed as an integral part of peace and stability. On World Radio Day 2023, UNESCO highlights independent radio as a pillar for conflict prevention and peacebuilding.

Reading these paragraphs certainly some very "recent" and maybe no to so recent events come to mind; "It [also] plays a crucial role in emergency communication and disaster relief" is very present with the earthquakes happening in Turkey and Siria; the radio is definitely a way to communicate in these areas where infrastructure is so damaged. On the other hand, we can think of also not so recent events where Radio played a crucial role, I remember my parents for example sharing that it was all that there was in terms of "knowing" what was going on during the war years; of course all communications in the military at some point or another all started with Radio, and still it plays a huge role when electricity or digital communication is not possible. So, it definitely is something to remember.

Maria Montessori wrote extensively on Peace and Education:

We must take man himself, take him with patience and confidence, across all the planes of education. We must put everything before him, the school, culture, religion, the world itself. We must help him to develop within himself that which will make him capable of understanding. It is not merely words; it is a labor of education. This will be a preparation for peace – for peace cannot exist without justice and without men endowed with a strong personality and a strong conscience.

Maria Montessori, Citizen of the World, p. 38

"Despite the advancements in technology, radio remains the most widely used medium globally, making it a crucial tool in shaping society's perception of diversity and allowing all voices to be heard". This year's World Radio Day theme, "Radio and Peace," is particularly relevant to the Montessori community and the AMI Talks podcast series

In the years previous to the war, Ma ria Montessorirelocated to the Netherlands, and in a Radio Interview she advocated for The Rights of The Child...

Maria Montessori Advocating for the Rights of the Child on Dutch Radio — An Interview with Gustav Czopp on 31 October 1936

In the early autumn of 1936 Maria Montessori relocated to the Netherlands at the invitation of a former graduate, Ada Pierson. This impactful decision was forced by the Civil War that raged in Spain, a country that had been her main residence for close to twenty years.  Montessori did not feel comfortable returning to Barcelona, after the 1936 Congress in Oxford and was delighted when Ada Pierson’s offer came to host the family in her parental home for a few months. Montessori education was popular in the Netherlands, the school infrastructure was strong and well developed, there had been an international congress and various courses, all factors we suspect to have been major aspects in reaching the decision to settle in the Netherlands. The Dutch were of course proud and grateful that Maria Montessori was now part of their society, and yet may have been a little anxious that la Dotoressa would find fault with the Dutch schools. This context will help the listener understand why Maria Montessori immediately made it clear in the interview that she had not come to the Netherlands to supervise or monitor existing Montessori schools, but that she was keen to show what her approach to education could mean.

Interviewer: Madame, are you here for a long time?

Maria Montessori: I am here to make Holland my new home and if possible, the center of my activities.

Interviewer: And do you intend to occupy yourself with the Montessori schools that are so numerous here.

Maria Montessori: I do not intend to involve myself directly with the Montessori schools that are already existing, but I want to start new schools that will be under my direct supervision from the beginning. There is already a school in Amsterdam directed by Miss Bienfait and one in Laren which is under my personal direction. I distinguish this school of mine, the one I am directing, from all others and it is called the M.M. Montessori School - that is to say, a school depending directly on myself. I intend to show what I mean by education.

Education is a help for the formation of man. I believe that this critical time urgently requires individuals whose personalities will be morally strong and well-balanced. It is necessary to protect 'the man' within the child. Experience shows that there are laws of psychical development which should be followed in order to guarantee the health of the "spirit" and I shall give practical demonstration of this in my M.M. school.

I consider it very important nowadays that the rights of the child are recognized by society. The child should be considered by laws as a human being, a citizen who has more rights than the adult. Naturally the child cannot defend himself by himself and, therefore, the parents should do that.

Interviewer: Do you mean you want to educate the parents?

Maria Montessori: Yes, if you wish. Education should really start with the adult. It is necessary to awaken the public conscience. The entire world should rise in defence of the child because he will be responsible for the good or bad in tomorrow's society. Already in many countries, for example, there is a Ministry for Childhood. I think that if there is a Ministry of Post and Telegraphs, A Ministry of Communication, etc., it is much more necessary to have a Ministry for the defence and protection of the Human Race.

On this subject I have campaigned many times on radio and carried on a crusade for the social rights of the child. The public has responded warmly to it because the child represents the most practical solution in order to save and to advance civilisation.

amplifyHER Podcast

Around the world, women musicians are producing art in the face of, and sometimes inspired by, the challenges they face in society, whether related to conflict, human rights, climate change, inequality, or simply because of their gender.

In this series, 10 inspiring women musicians from diverse cultural backgrounds, talk to us from their homes and studios, about their challenges as women in a male-dominated industry, overcoming barriers, and what drives them to continue creating music.

Check out the following link: amplifyHER Podcast | UN News

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