Warmest greeting to all involved in the INTERNATIONAL FORUM ON COMMUNICATION AND CITIZENSHIP.

The Round Table is delighted that international gatherings such as yours continue to highlight issues on media and communication, many of which were first raised in New World Information and Communication Order (NWICO) and the so-called MacBride Report: Many Voices Once World.

The focus on civil society and social movements is especially welcome, since the weakness in this area was perhaps the single most serious shortcoming of the NWICO. The need to build a movement, with real roots with people, is now greater than even given current trends in media and communications.

The MacBride Round Table has just finalised plans for its 10th annual meeting. It is to be held in Amman in Jordan, from November 24th to 26th, in conjunction with the Jordan Institute of Diplomacy and Jemstone, a network of journalists. The Theme of this Round Table is Culture and Communication: A Global Information Society, and the emphasis of our contribution will be on building global governance structures for media and communication that includes civil society.

For more information, please contact me directly or look out for postings on the internet.

We wish you a very successful meeting, another milestone in building a new communication and media movement for the people.

Sean O Siochru
On Behalf of the Round Table