Some Important dates

Photo Lam Duc Hien

1995 – Journalists Philippe Dahinden, Jean-Marie Etter and François Gross create Fondation Hirondelle to take over Radio Agatashya (“Radio Hirondelle”), initially created by Reporters Sans Frontières in response to the 1994 genocide in Rwanda.

1996 – Fondation Hirondelle expands its presence to the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda in Arusha, where it creates the Hirondelle News Agency

 1997 – In collaboration with IFES, Fondation Hirondelle launches STAR radio in Liberia. Charles Taylor orders the station to be closed at gunpoint in 2000.

1999 – Sergio Vieira de Mello, UN special representative in Kosovo, asks Fondation Hirondelle to establish the UN radio in Pristina. Called Radio Blue Sky, it later became part of Kosovo’s public service broadcaster.

 2000 – After the departure of the UN mission from the Central African Republic, Fondation Hirondelle takes over the UN radio. Radio Ndeke Luka is born.

 2001 – Fondation Hirondelle launches a radio program for refugees in East Timor called Moris Hamutuk. From 2002 to 2006, Fondation Hirondelle carries out a support program for the public service broadcaster (RTTL) of the newly created state of Timor-Leste.

 2002 – Launch of Radio Okapi in the Democratic Republic of Congo, designed to accompany the peace and reconstruction process. It is the most ambitious radio project ever considered by the UN and Fondation Hirondelle.

2005 – In Liberia, the Transitional Government lifts its ban on STAR radio, which resumes its broadcasts. STAR radio is now totally in Liberian hands.

 2006 – The UN Mission in Sudan and Fondation Hirondelle launch Miraya FM, which starts to broadcast from Juba in the south of the country.

 2007 – In Sierra Leone, Fondation Hirondelle opens Cotton Tree News, in partnership with the Fourah Bay College of the University of Sierra Leone, to provide independent newscasts to partner radio stations including the UN radio.

 2008 – Fondation Hirondelle is present in Nepal with a project to support Radio Nepal, the public service broadcaster, during the elections for the Constituent Assembly.