ARLA/CLUSTER: O n.º de jovens interessados no radioamadorismo cresce

[João Costa > CT1FBF]

Youth to grow Amateur Radio

A potential growth area for Amateur Radio is involving younger people
as a wonderful 'for them' and 'hands-on' communications activity.

A report to the IARU Region 3 Conference in Bali Indonesia (October
12-16) comes from the Region 3 Directors, that describes as an
underlining theme, where the next generation of radio amateurs comes
from, so that what is enjoyed today, can continue to provide benefits
to the community.

The Directors note that there are other effective ways of making
Amateur Radio grow, including reviving lapsed radio amateurs,
broadening its appeal in a crowded marketplace that has many other
activities, and tapping into the like-minded followers of the DIY
Maker Fairs.

However, the report suggests a focus on Youth may be lacking by some
Member Societies in our region.

The PARA Kids Day event has a distinctive logo of a kid with the
microphone and a tuned circuit, the WIA through its Foundation Licence
is finding it attracts some younger new hams, and activities for
younger people is the JARL Ham Fair - there may be some other examples
too.

However the Youth theme is heavily promoted in the IARU Region 1, with
the concept now also being taken up outside Europe. For example, YOTA
(Youngsters On The Air).

The IARU Region 2 has the ARRL showing a lead with its Kids Day to
promote Amateur Radio to Youth.

The Directors suggests to the conference delegates that embracing
Youth be considered now by all Member Societies, and that it be the
theme with reports for the next and 17th IARU Region 3 Conference.

Jim Linton VK3PC