"This book argues that indigenous modes of communication - for example the oral tradition, drama, indigenous entertainment forms, cultural modes and local language radio - are essential to the societies within which they exist and which create them; and that coupled with newer, or modern forms of co
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mmunication technology such as the internet and digitised information, endogenous modes of communication are paramount to the processes of human development in Africa." (Publisher description)
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"In this study, the researcher examined the development of the various theoretical frameworks that define the practice of development communication, and then reached out to the international development community through a survey to discover: a) whether an assumption that development communication i
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s not sufficiently appreciated by decision and policy makers in development organizations is correct; and b) if it is, what possible reasons there could be for this. The researcher found that where this assumption is correct, possible reasons for it could be a) a deficiency of empirical indicators on which policy makers can base their budgeting decisions; and/or b) a lack of effective communication between those that advocate for development communication and those at the top of the organizational hierarchies." (Abstract)
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"This collection of eighteen essays of uneven richness underserved by an overly thin two-page introduction brings together some of the best known names in Development Communication in an attempt to understand African aspirations, experiences, challenges and the place of communication in development.
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Coming at this stage in a debate that has generated much conventional and critical scholarship, one would have expected the editors to aim at much more than simply providing space for contributors to offer "a fillip and not necessarily a panacea for development" (Page x). The "desirable and useful" (Page x) approaches the book explores would certainly have served their purpose better, within a framework of the need to critically rethink conventional scholarly assumptions about communication and development, especially in relation to Africa [...] Nonetheless, a good number of the contributions competently discuss competing perspectives on development communication (e.g. Pye, Servaes, Jacobson), drawing attention to how practices on and in Africa have tended to impair or enhance the participatory and emancipatory potential of development communication. Some focus closely on communication technologies and their applications (e.g., de Beer, Melkote and Steeves, Eribo), advocating strategies and approaches informed by varying degrees of faith in the capacity of modern information and communication technologies (ICTs) to transform individuals and societies in the name of development. Most of the book makes a strong, even if not always substantiated or negotiated, case for the importance of "indigenous African cultures," if media and communication practices are to adequately serve and service African thirsts for development (Asante, Mazrui and Okigbo, Okigbo, Hachten, Stevenson, Amienyi, Akhahenda, Moemeka, Singhal et al., Okumu, Nganje and Blake). A conscious effort to engage similar debates in anthropology and cultural studies for example, could have yielded further insights." (https://www.h-net.org/reviews/showrev.php?id=10843)
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"El presente trabajo marca un hito importante en la comunicación para el desarrollo ya que es producto de un equipo de comunicadores indígenas guaraníes quienes han encontrado en la comunicación una manera para servir a su pueblo. Por primera vez los miembros de una organización indígena, anal
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izan y sistematizan su experiencia de uso de medios y mensajes de comunicación basada en la participación, en la valoración de formas propias de organización y de saberes locales, junto a una nueva capacidad técnica para promover procesos de comunicación desde y para las comunidades guaraníes. Este proceso ha sido acompañado por un proyecto de comunicación para el desarrollo de la FAO que trabajó en América Latina del 1993 al 1997. En Bolivia dicho proyecto se concentró en capacitar personal nacional y fortalecer iniciativas de participación y desarrollo promovidas por instituciones y por las mismas organizaciones campesinas e indígenas. El éxito de esta estrategia puede ser constatado en el caso de la Unidad de Comunicación Guaraní (UCG), ya que a seis años de haber finalizado el proyecto, la UCG sigue trabajando en comunicación para el desarrollo manteniendo el mismo enfoque y compromiso hacia las comunidades más pobres y marginadas." (Página vii)
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"[...] nuestra compilación presenta un conjunto de reflexiones realizadas en el ámbito académico por autores que actúan como investigadores que realizan su labor en universidades nacionales. Abordamos un área de investigación con una amplia producción teórica en el resto de América Latina,
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pero que en nuestro país -pese a la nutrida experiencia empírica acumulada- todavía no cuenta con la difusión que se merece y necesita. Por eso presentamos una serie de artículos cuyos autores abordan la relación entre los procesos comunicativos y los proyectos sobre desarrollo, tanto desde una perspectiva teórica y metodológica como a través del análisis y la descripción de experiencias concretas." (Resumen)
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"This guide is intended for people working in research and development. It introduces participatory development communication concepts, discusses the effective two-way communication approaches, and presents a methodology to plan, develop, and evaluate communication strategies to address the followin
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g questions: How can researchers and practitioners improve communication with local communities and other stakeholders? How can two-way communication enhance community participation in research and development initiatives and improve the capacity of communities to participate in the management of their natural resources? How can researchers, community members, and development practitioners improve their ability to effectively reach policymakers and promote change?" (Publisher description)
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"This book examines the importance of participatory video as a catalyst for development. It shows how powerful video images have been used to promote changes in attitudes and social behaviour, helping communities identify development solutions that are within their reach. Video has been used to reac
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h policymakers, to empower women and to rescue the culture and heritage of indigenous people. As a mediation tool, the power of video has been used to resolve conflicts, achieve consensus and find common ground for collective action. This book brings together practical information on innovative experiences with the use of participatory video." (Publisher description)
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"[...] pour lutter contre les affres du sous-développement, les autorités ont entrepris de réorganiser le secteur de la communication et décidé de la mise en œuvre d’une Politique nationale de communication pour le développement. C’est ainsi que, de 2000 à 2002, le Gouvernement, en parte
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nariat avec la FAO, le Fonds des Nations Unies pour l’Enfance (UNICEF) et le Programme des Nations Unies pour le Développement (PNUD), a fait établir un état des lieux de la communication au Niger. A cet effet, 10 études sectorielles et thématiques ont été effectuées. Des ateliers tenus dans chacune des huit régions du pays ont per mis de recueillir la perception par les communautés de base de la problématique de la communication pour le développement. En janvier 2002, à l’issue d’un atelier national qui a regroupé plus de 200 participants, le Niger a jeté les bases d’une véritable Politique nationale de communication pour le développement (PNCD). Cette politique nationale de communication pour le développement vise à instituer un système d’implication rationnelle et pérenne de tous les moyens de communication et de tous les acteurs au processus de développement économique et social. La PNCD prend en compte les aspirations des populations à la base, les atouts et faiblesses dans la mise en œuvre des stratégies et du plan d’action aux niveaux régional et national [...] La PNCD, qui prône une approche participative, contribuera à un plus large accès des populations au débat démocratique, au renforcement du dialogue social en vue de la réalisation des pro grammes prioritaires de développement du Niger (lutte contre la pandémie du Sida, lutte contre le paludisme et la poliomyélite, promotion de la bonne gouvernance). La PNCD accordera la plus grande priorité au développement rural en appuyant les actions visant à améliorer les secteurs sociaux (santé – éducation – alphabétisation), la préservation de l’environnement, le désenclavement des zones à fortes potentia lités, l’accès des femmes et des jeunes aux moyens de produc tion ainsi qu’à la promotion d’une communication institution nelle pour appuyer le secteur. Enfin, la PNCD se veut un document de référence unique pour les partenaires au développement du Niger (pays amis, organi sations non gouvernementales, institutions, associations et groupements des producteurs) dans le cadre de leurs interven tions dans le domaine spécifique de la communication pour le développement." (Préface, page ix-x)
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"Herr Könsgen wies auf die Bedeutung einer professionellen Außendarstellung des DED hin und betonte den Stellenwert der entwicklungspolitischen Bildungsarbeit für den DED. Beides kann durch die Fachkräfte für Informations- und Bildungsarbeit (IBA-EH) unterstützt und vorangetrieben werden. Der
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Workshop solle den Erfahrungsaustausch unter den IBA-EH, aber auch mit den Hauptamtlichen aus der Zentrale ermöglichen. Ziel sei es, auf der Basis einer gemeinsamen Auswertung der Arbeitspraxis der IBAEH, den programmatischen Ansatz des Konzepts zu überprüfen und Empfehlungen für seine Aktualisierung zu formulieren. Dabei sollten Bedarf und Notwendigkeiten der Kolleginnen und Kollegen aus der DED-Zentrale, der Landesbüros sowie der IBA-EH berücksichtigt werden. Nach nunmehr gut fünf Jahren Laufzeit des Programms – der erste IBA-EH reiste Ende 1997 nach Uganda aus – gehe es nun darum zu prüfen, ob eine Erweiterung des Programms sinnvoll und möglich ist." (Eröffnung und Zielsetzung des Workshops, Seite 4)
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"The history of development communication in media studies is marked by conceptual struggles and complexities that have advanced both theory and practice while leaving a number of conflicts unresolved. These struggles and complexities are not unique to development communication but parallel similar
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issues in the larger field of media studies, as well. Early modernization theories followed by the Latin American critique and subsequent rise of participatory communication reflect many of the same concerns that emerged from the effects tradition challenged by critical theorists and leading to both political economic and cultural studies orientations. Issues regarding individual–psychological versus cultural–contextual orientations, quantitative versus qualitative methods, and value-free versus power-laden positions have marked the conceptual advancements of both development communication and media studies. Moreover, criticisms of linear, transmission models of communication have created greater sensitivity to process, meaning centered conceptualizations of the relationship between media and society. While these struggles and contributions have reshaped communication methods, theories, and practices, the future direction of research continues to be debated." (Pages 65-66)
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