Madhyam is a media organization set up as non profit society in 1983. One of its primary objectives is to create public awareness of problems and issues like the oppression of women, tribals, caste and class injustice and consumer exploitation.

Its work comprises:

• training and support of activists working with underprivileged groups and cultural action groups;

• production of communication material;

• interaction with and conscientization of mainstream media practitioners, journalists, filmmakers and other communicators;

• preservation of cultural forms, encouraging tribal and folk art forms, and their usage for cultural action

Madhyam activities include workshops on editing and production of periodicals for young activists and journalists, to equip them with basic skills in newswriting, editing and production of print materials.

It produces a journal on development communication: "Madhyam". It focuses on issues like Folk Forums for Cultural Action, Concerned Cinema and Concerned Journalism.

Madhyam believes in using the power of film to create awareness among the influential, and raise the consciousness
of the poor and underprivileged. It was involved in the production of some films about tribal culture and about the exploitation of women, and child labour.

In order to promote networking among activist organizations, Madhyam sponsors annual cultural and drama festivals, and street theatre workshops to train activists to create awareness on social issues.

Madhyam welcomes news about women's programmes and activities and would be pleased to collaborate in programmes with a common perspective. For more information, write to:

Madhyam, J9, Miller Road Benson Town, Bangalore 560 046 India

Old Girls Network

The Old Girl's Network (OGN) is in the process of creating an international women's peace network to be based in the U.K., consisting of a central database of contacts and information. This is a voluntary initiative started by women who were involved in the Women's Peace Alliance that ceased to exist in 1987.

The network will act as an 'enabler', linking women worldwide, making coordination, organization and exchange of information simpler and less time consuming. Areas of coverage will include:

arms reduction chemical/biological weapons conflict resolution low-flying military aircrafts militarism NATO decisions nuclear testing peace education peace campaigning submarine-related accidents to shipping war toys 'zapping'

OGN will provide:

• Lists of women/women's organizations, their interests and campaigns. Women organizing conferences can obtain lists of women with similar concerns who would be interested in attending;
• Lists of books, magazines, or conference papers;
• Details of funding bodies sympathetic to women;
• Press Directory with names of sympathetic journalists;
• Annual Report containing details of info stored in the data bank and campaigns conducted during the year.

Interested women and women's groups are requested to write for membership to:

Sue Scott OGN, 18 Bromley Gardens Codsal, Wolverhampton West Midlands WV8IBE, UK tel.: 09974 3930