01 Jun 2023 WACC Board of Directors moves to strengthen mission of communication for all

WACC’s newly appointed international Board of Directors determined steps to strengthen the organization’s mission to promote communication rights as a cornerstone for more just societies when it met in London, UK, on May 10–12.

Under the leadership of WACC President Embert Charles and Vice President Mathilde Kpalla, Directors and staff reviewed the organization’s work over the past four years and reaffirmed strategic directions through 2026, noting that WACC’s vision of communication for all had lost none of its relevancy in the post-Covid era.

The Board received program reports detailing WACC’s activities, including its Communication for All Programme (CAP) supporting grassroots projects worldwide in partnership with Bread for the World (Germany); media and migration initiatives in five regions; its Gender and Communication program; and its ongoing efforts to promote digital justice and climate justice.

The governing body paid particular attention to opportunities and challenges in each of WACC’s eight regional associations in the wake of the pandemic and other recent global developments.

The Board underlined the need to continue to root WACC activities in realities on the ground, with the aim of making concrete the intrinsic link between communication rights and solutions to social issues that communities are facing.

Engaging members in today’s shifting regional and global contexts was a central theme across the diversity of the WACC network. The Board received results of a survey of current and past members that identified the importance of WACC for networking, reflecting on current communication issues, and campaigning for change with a collective voice.

The Directors set as a priority to re-connect with members and to foster exchange between the regions. A particular focus will be to reach emerging communicators through targeted outreach at universities and a free, one-year membership for students and junior media professionals. Each region will name a contact for membership.

The Board greenlighted plans to develop a strategy integrating outreach and communication, membership, engagement, and fundraising, and to take steps to optimize WACC’s communications planning and channels.

The May 10–12 meeting also featured the public seminar “Development and Digital Access: Are we fostering equitable pathways to inclusion?”, co-organized by WACC and the CDAC Network, and a time of recognition of outgoing treasurer Stephen Brown for his 13 years of dedicated service.

The WACC UK Board of Directors has oversight of the global organization, including its policies and priorities. The governing body for 2023–27 consists of Embert Charles, President; Juha Rajamäki, Treasurer; Mathilde Kpalla, Vice-President, Africa; Rania Rashad William, Vice-President, Middle East; Vincent Rajkumar, Asia; Corinne Barnes, Caribbean; Alba Sabaté Gauxachs, Europe; David Morales Alba, Latin America; Gregg Brekke, North America; Netani Rika, Pacific; Philip Lee, General Secretary (Ex Officio); and Jim McDonnell, Director Resident in England and Wales.

WACC UK Board of Directors 2023–2027.
Photo: Gregg Brekke