WHO"s conversation in science series - Science in 5 - is now reaching audiences in Nepali and Maithili languages too. This series has now become a potent tool in WHO, Country Office for Nepal’s toolkit on risk communication and community engagement (RCCE).
Recognizing the importance of reaching audiences in key vernacular languages, WHO, Country Office for Nepal, swiftly made this series available in Nepali and in Maithili language. According to the 2011 national census, the percentage of Nepali speaking people is about 44.6%, and Maithili is the second most spoken language at 11.67%.
The Nepali and Maithili versions are released within a week of the latest English episode being made available on WHO HQ website, and are disseminated through WHO Nepal’s YouTube, Facebook, Twitter, webpage and through the UN RCCE group in Nepal. These are also actively shared with traditional and online media portals. Another category of active recipients are academic organizations who are encouraged to include this content into their talks, presentations and lectures. The Nepali and Maithili audio versions are shared with radio stations and with health podcasters in Nepal.
This series, in which WHO experts explain the science related to COVID-19, has been welcomed in Nepal for its succinct style of conveying science and evidence. As the world battles a pandemic alongside an infodemic, the relevance of such content coming from WHO is seen as critical by proponents of scientific evidence. Within the WHO team spread across the seven provinces of Nepal, the release of each episode is eagerly awaited as it helps people stay updated during a time when COVID-19 information is rapidly evolving.
“What can be better than knowledge as the binding glue in our country office?”, says WHO Representative to Nepal Dr Rajesh Sambhajirao Pandav. Dr Rajesh further states that the swift dissemination of credible scientific evidence in vernacular languages is essential to counter rumors and misinformation.
The original series is available every week on WHO's YouTube, Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn channels and on all major podcasts platforms.
Videos can be found via the playlists listed below:
Facebook: Link here
YouTube: In Maithili language (link here); In Nepali language (link here)
SoundCloud: Link here