Past Issues :: 2006 June 16:: News: Global Street Paper Network
Street Roots joins global street paper movement
From its earliest days seven years ago, Street Roots has been an active member of the North American Street Newspaper Association, or NASNA. This month, Street Roots and all the papers in NASNA were voted into the International Network of Street Papers during its annual conference in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. The union of the two organizations brings the total membership to more than 70 newspapers worldwide.
The International Network of Street Papers (INSP) unites street papers sold
by homeless and people living in poverty from all over the world. INSP
is an umbrella organization that provides consulting services for its
partner papers and advises on setting up new street papers and support
initiatives for marginalized people. Its mission is to create innovative
and sustainable social enterprises. INSP actively promotes the development
of opportunities for people living in poverty throughout the world, strengthening
its global network and advocating for positive social change.
The INSP head office is based in Glasgow, Scotland, and is governed by a five-member board of directors with an executive director and projects manager. During the conference in Montreal, a new board was elected, including Joanne Zuhl, managing editor of Street Roots. INSP is a nonprofit association registered in the United Kingdom and is currently funded by grants, donations and membership fees from its street paper members.
As with NASNA, member papers in the INSP operate independently, creating a wide variety of business models and programs that both encourage readership and promote income opportunities for people in poverty. Street newspapers do not receive funding through the national and international organizations, and rely on local support for their continued operation.
Street papers range from small, monthly publications to glossy magazines. Many have innovative programs for their vendors, encouraging eduational and employment opportunities.
One of the projects of NASNA and the INSP is the Street News Service, through which newspapers can share the stories from their communities with papers around the world. It has become a valuable tool for linking up the global issues of social justice to readers who care about the happenings in their world.
Visit the International Network of Street Papers for more information.