WORKSHOP ON MEDIA AND NGO LIASONING NET WORK,  27-28^TH AUGUST 2011 BANGALORE

 20 male and 9 female members of Karnataka State Government Employees Association,  Indian National Defence Workers Federation and our Association, coming from all parts of Karnataka  took part. Bro. Nagesh of KSGEA and Bro. Manjunatha welcomed and explained the aims and objectives respectively.  Sis. Bhavana, Advocate of Karnataka High Court and the State Coordinator of Human Rights Law Network-Karnataka explained what a NGO means and how it is formed and  itsfunctions and how trade unions can get network with NGO’s. Sis. Vahini, Asst. Professor, Department of Electronic Media, Bangalore University presented on communication skills and the need for media relation, the necessity and how to write a good Press release and ways to develop cordial relation with media persons.

Sri Byrappa, President of KSGEA- which has a membership of 5.5 lakh state government employees,   addressed the participants about the need for a strong public service and requested them to make best use of the  opportunity.

 The next session was handled by Bro. R Kannan, Sub Regional Secretary, Public Services International – south Asia.  He interacted  on What is Public Services, Quality Public Services and the link between  labour rights and quality public service.

Sri Chamaraj Savadi, freelance journalist interacted about media perception of unions and gave practical tips on how to win over the attention of both print and visual media.

On the 2^nd day,  Sri Mahesh, a PR professional discussed on strengthening public relations through media .

 Bro. B.G.Narayana Prasad,  Editor,  Sambandha Magazine spoke  on the role of press from medieval times to the present day quoting live examples. He emphasized the need for gaining public sympathy by the government servants.

Bro. Karthik Shekar, General Secretary of UNITES, which organizes the IT & BPO employees,  commenced his presented on ‘Winning Workers rights through Media & NGO networks’ with two funny and educative games. Karthik briefly defined what is NGO and its reach -  it is more than the number of PHCS in India. Media networks are profit oriented, now the world is global village and requested the participants to make best use of technology available at their reach. One Exercise was given to prepare a small press note within 2 minutes. He concluded with a slogan TOGETHER WE CAN  ACHIEVE EVERYTHING.

Bro Prabhakara Prasad, Vice President of KSGEA explained about the ‘Praja Snehi Adalita, a state level campaign launched by Justice Sri. Shivaraj Patil  Lokayukta of Karnataka State. Sister Suma   shared her views about Global QPS conference she took part during October 2010 as a resource Person on  “Gender equality”.

Bro Kannan expressed that the participants have gained the ways, now it is for them to decide the means how to build a good relationship with press and NGOS.

The workshop helped in knowing the ways the media and NGOs function and their reach.  Now it is for the unions and associations to network with these groups for promoting the common good of the workers and the society at large.