BBC World Service Trust review reveals year of expansion

Last year (2003-2004) was a year of remarkable expansion and increased global impact for BBC World Service Trust, which undertook five times as much work in developing countries as when it was founded in 1999, according to the Trust's Chairman and Director of the World Service, Nigel Chapman.
Writing in the Chairman's Overview to the Annual Review, Nigel Chapman said: "It has been an especially busy year for the Trust, with projects worldwide, from media reconstruction in Iraq, journalism training in the Arab world, East Africa and Eastern Europe, to tackling leprosy in Brazil.
"All of the projects are needs led, build local capacity and are designed to deliver measurable benefits."
Commenting on the review, Stephen King, Director of World Service Trust, said: "The Trust increased the range and scale of its projects significantly last year.
"We now have 400 staff in more than 20 countries working in partnership with local and national NGOs, broadcasters and governments."
He continued: "During the year we produced a series of ground-breaking projects in some of the world's poorest countries, developing the capacity of local and national media; building civil society; developing health and educational campaigns capable of reaching millions; and providing media skills and journalist training in post-conflict areas around the world.
"The year ahead will be one of hard work and enormous challenges.
"It will see the Trust building on strong foundations to provide ambitious, life enhancing projects focused on enriching people's lives and reducing poverty through innovative, imaginative and informative use of the media."
The review highlights the Trust’s success in strengthening independent media in countries that have suffered years of conflict. In May and June 2003 the Trust undertook a series of media audits in Iraq and in 2004 began to deliver training, working with local communities in southern Iraq to help establish editorially independent Iraqi-run media.
BBC World Service Trust was established by the BBC World Service as a registered charity in 1999 to alleviate poverty through the innovative use of media in the developing world.
The Trust currently works in more than 20 countries, tackling health, education and good governance.
(GB)