DIRSI - Dialogo Regional sobre Sociedad de la Informacion

Bruce Girard, Director of Fundación Comunica, has extensive experience in a broad range of areas, including journalism, development communication, community media, research, education, and ICT applications for development. Key areas for current research and activities include community media management, global media and communication governance, community-based telecom networks, micro telcos, and civil society participation in policymaking processes and activities.

In 1996 Girard established Comunica, as both a foundation for consulting and development activities and a network of researchers and activists with similar concerns. Comunica projects have included organisation of numerous seminars, training sessions and projects studying and supporting independent media’s use of information and communication technologies to strengthen efforts for development and democracy. Girard is also an initiator and spokesperson of the campaign for Communication Rights in the Information Society (CRIS), was a founder of the World Association of Community Radio Broadcasters (AMARC) and was co-chair of the Civil Society Plenary at the first Preparatory Committee meeting of the World Summit on the Information Society.

Girard has consulted for numerous national cooperation agencies and international agencies, and also works as a communication strategist and current clients include the International Association for Media and Communication Research (IAMCR), UNDP, the Centro Internacional de Estudios Superiores en Comunicación para América Latina (CIESPAL), LIRNE.NET and the World Dialogue on Regulation.