"In the pages that follow, the two authors argue that communication for social change is a distinct way of doing communications – and one of the few approaches that can be sustained. Such sustainability is largely due to the fact that ownership of both the message and the medium – the content and the process – resides with the individuals or communities affected. We believe that this approach can help make greater contributions to the pace of development. From this basic assumption we move to questioning “how” and “if” and “where” we might find interesting work and committed individuals to test the effectiveness of this approach. In order to do this work, the Rockefeller Foundation has brought together a group of social activists, academics, filmmakers and journalists, funders, electronic communications experts, service providers and professional communicators. The ideas expressed in this position paper reflect discussions held at two conferences – one at the foundation’s Bellagio Study and Conference Center on Lake Como, in Italy, and the other in the fall of 1998 in Cape Town, South Africa." (Introduction)