As profound violations of the right to free expression continue around the globe, the International Freedom of Expression Exchange (IFEX) has emerged as a strong and growing force of opposition against these violations.
IFEX was born in 1992 when many of the world’s leading freedom of expression organizations came together in Montreal to discuss how best to further their collective goals.
Several funding and development organizations, recognizing the need for more cooperation among freedom of expression groups, provided the initial support for IFEX.
These included The Ford Foundation, which provided funding to hold the first IFEX meeting; the Joyce Mertz-Gilmore Foundation of New York, which supported the establishment of the IFEX Action Alert Network; and the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), through its International Programme for the Development of Communication (IPDC), which provided support for IFEX to extend its links into the developing world and promoted IFEX through its own developmental network.
At its core, IFEX is made up of organisations whose members refuse to turn away when those who have the courage to insist upon their fundamental human right to free expression are censored, brutalized or killed. Comprised of 72 organisations – located everywhere from the Pacific Islands to Europe to West Africa – IFEX draws together a tremendously diverse and dedicated global community.
In recent years, the IFEX community has been joined by many new members from the developing world – bringing new perspectives and energy. IFEX’s decentralized structure creates a dynamic and truly international body.
The nerve-centre of IFEX is the Clearing House, located in Toronto, Canada and managed by Canadian Journalists for Free Expression. The Clearing House helps coordinate the work of IFEX members, reducing overlap among their activities and making them more effective in their shared objectives.
Action Alert Network
One of the central components of IFEX is the Action Alert Network (AAN).
Member organizations report free expression abuses in their geographic region or area of expertise to the Clearing House which, in turn, circulates this information to other members and interested organizations all over the world.
This efficient system enables members to stay abreast of their counterparts’ activities, share information and research, and focus their energies where most needed.
The AAN also provides updates on recent developments in ongoing cases and circulates important freedom of expression press releases.
Importantly, the AAN also allows for a rapid, world-wide and coordinated response to press freedom and freedom of expression violations. Action Alerts help turn spotlights from around the world squarely on those responsible for human rights violations – and this can make a significant difference, as those who violate human rights often rely on the cover of darkness.
Action Alerts are the mainstay of IFEX’s work for the simple reason that we have seen coordinated letter-writing campaigns help unlock prison doors, lift publication bans and even save lives.
Outreach and Development
A key area of the Clearing House’s work is the Outreach and Development Programme. Based on a recognition of current North-South disparities, this programme is designed to support and strengthen fledgling freedom of expression organizations in the developing world, Eastern Europe and in the former Soviet Union.
The risks and obstacles faced by people who attempt to start up free expression groups in countries plagued by human rights abuses or censorship can be overwhelming, and IFEX offers vital transfusions of information, financial and technical resources, expertise, and international support and recognition.
Website: http://www.ifex.org/en