Local newspaper connects Romanian commune with hopes to build civil society
The first circulation in February reached 200 people in the rural commune, located 35km from Constanta city in south-east Romania, but producers of ‘Corbu’s Journal’ hope to produce enough journals for each of the commune’s 2,200 households on a bi-monthly basis.
Until now the 5261 residents here relied on a single news stall to access a newspaper or magazine. Or, they had to travel 10km to Navodary city to read the news.
“World Vision’s initiative to create a local Journal is very good. We want to expand the distribution to all the households around Corbu”, said Corbu Mayor, Marian Galbinasu.
“Local people are not very participatory here. To my regret, in Corbu there is little civil society spirit. Just a few people answer the community call for involvement”, explained Maria Bara from World Vision’s Corbu Community Centre.
World Vision and the producers of the journal believe it could help give residents the push they need to get them more involved in community life and particularly, civil society.
In fact, a city hall counselor is so excited by this initiative, that she offered to distribute the journal door-to-door herself.
Our community needs this journal. It is a fantastic opportunity to find out what’s happening in Corbu “Our community needs this journal. It is a fantastic opportunity to find out what’s happening in Corbu. Even I didn’t know before reading the newspaper, about many events organised in Corbu”, shared Gabi, a mother from Corbu.
Initially launched as a black-and-white 12-page magazine, Corbu’s Journal has also been posted online on the Corbu CBO web page. Residents can read about general heath, education, culture, ecological and relief events which are taking part in the commune, legislation, World Vision’s activities with children, public announcements released by the city hall, local investments, local political news, religious calendar and more.
“The newspaper should be promoted and freely distributed to become known in the community. After that, everyone who wants to receive it regularly at home, could then subscribe”, proposed Nicoleta, another mother from Corbu.
“We hope to be able to publish 2,000 issues in March, at the publishing house, in order to have a small price, accessible for everyone. Unfortunately, we can’t do this without World Vision or a local investor’s support,” added Maria Bara who hopes that Corbu’s Journal will be a successful initiative after three years of preparation.
Articles are written by World Vision’s local social workers, together with two volunteers and two school teachers.
-Ends-
Until now the 5261 residents here relied on a single news stall to access a newspaper or magazine. Or, they had to travel 10km to Navodary city to read the news.
“World Vision’s initiative to create a local Journal is very good. We want to expand the distribution to all the households around Corbu”, said Corbu Mayor, Marian Galbinasu.
“Local people are not very participatory here. To my regret, in Corbu there is little civil society spirit. Just a few people answer the community call for involvement”, explained Maria Bara from World Vision’s Corbu Community Centre.
World Vision and the producers of the journal believe it could help give residents the push they need to get them more involved in community life and particularly, civil society.
In fact, a city hall counselor is so excited by this initiative, that she offered to distribute the journal door-to-door herself.
Our community needs this journal. It is a fantastic opportunity to find out what’s happening in Corbu “Our community needs this journal. It is a fantastic opportunity to find out what’s happening in Corbu. Even I didn’t know before reading the newspaper, about many events organised in Corbu”, shared Gabi, a mother from Corbu.
Initially launched as a black-and-white 12-page magazine, Corbu’s Journal has also been posted online on the Corbu CBO web page. Residents can read about general heath, education, culture, ecological and relief events which are taking part in the commune, legislation, World Vision’s activities with children, public announcements released by the city hall, local investments, local political news, religious calendar and more.
“The newspaper should be promoted and freely distributed to become known in the community. After that, everyone who wants to receive it regularly at home, could then subscribe”, proposed Nicoleta, another mother from Corbu.
“We hope to be able to publish 2,000 issues in March, at the publishing house, in order to have a small price, accessible for everyone. Unfortunately, we can’t do this without World Vision or a local investor’s support,” added Maria Bara who hopes that Corbu’s Journal will be a successful initiative after three years of preparation.
Articles are written by World Vision’s local social workers, together with two volunteers and two school teachers.
-Ends-
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