"In this phase of our research on charity advertising, we aimed to examine how INGOs represent distant others in direct mail communications compared to newspaper advertisements, building on findings from earlier studies. While the direct mail format offers greater potential for nuanced storytelling,
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our analysis reveals both continuity and emerging shifts in the dynamics of charity advertising, underscoring the complexities of this medium.
Positive developments include an increased attribution of images to their creators, a practice that will gain significance as AI-generated content becomes more common. Additionally, the decline in pitiful imagery in direct mail compared to newspaper advertisements signals progress toward more ethical representation. These trends highlight incremental yet noteworthy changes in visual storytelling.
However, the continued overrepresentation of Africa across direct mail and newspaper advertisements raises critical questions about the motivations and strategies driving charity communications. This trend suggests a potential disconnect between visual narratives and operational realities, warranting deeper scholarly exploration. Similarly, the persistent focus on health as the dominant subject matter—often at the expense
of narratives on education, economic infrastructure, or capacity-building—highlights the emphasis on short-term relief over long-term development.
Thus, while there is evidence of progress, charities must strive to balance their visual narratives against operational realities. The necessary shifts highlighted will require significant overhaul at strategic levels but are vital not only for fostering a more informed and engaged donor public but also for advancing ethical and equitable representations of development and the Majority World." (Conclusion, page 22)
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"This book is the first of its kind within the African region to combine scholarly perspectives from the fields of Strategic Communication Management and Communication for Development
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and Social Change. It draws insights from scholars across the African continent by unravelling the complementary nature of scholarship between the two fields, through the lens of prevailing governance and sustainability challenges facing African countries, today. This edited volume covers issues that have adversely affected the achievement of goals related to humanitarian upliftment, development and social change for all African nations. Consequently, citizen participation, which lies at the heart of these challenges when considering the question of sustainable governance and policy development for social change in an African context is addressed. To this end, a reflection is also made on various case studies that exist where local citizens do not inform sustainable development programmes, while the promotion of bottom-up development and social change is largely replaced by top-down instrumental action approaches and hemispheric communication instead of strategic communication." (Publisher description)
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This book illuminates the complex relationship between social media, identity, and youth in the Global South. By examining the profound impact on the psychosocial well-being and economic prospects
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of young people across diverse regions, the collection present empirical evidence from scholars spanning Asia, Africa, North America, Central, and South America. Contributors show how young people experience adverse side-effects online, such as social withdrawal, or animosity to others, and how good social health and social media use can help young people develop economic resources, become independent, and socially responsible. Additionally, the book explores the role of social media channels, such as Facebook and Instagram, in the rise of cyberbullying, sexting, and online radicalization; how these platforms re-negotiate identity in developing countries and compromise productivity; and how the behaviour of celebrities on said platforms influence youth behaviour. Structured into five thematic sections, this book presents a nuanced understanding of the well-being implications arising from social media use among young people hailing from diverse socio-cultural and economic backgrounds and political exigencies.
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"Tackling Disinformation: A Learning Guide is aimed at helping those already working in the field, or directly impacted by the issues, such as media professionals, civil society actors, DW Akademie partners and experts. It offers insights for evalu
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ating media development activities and rethinking approaches to disinformation, alongside practical solutions and expert advice, with a focus on the Global South and Eastern Europe." (https://akademie.dw.com)
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"Drawing from case studies from selected African countries, an international team of authors offer a broad insight into the state of harassment across the continent, while building new theoretical perspectives that are also context-specific. The chapters bring previous theories
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and research up to date by addressing the continual change and development of new discourses, including the use of big data and artificial intelligence in harassing and intimidating journalists and mental health issues affecting journalists in their line of duty. More so, the authors argue that the state and form of harassment is not universal, as location and context are some of the key factors that influence the form and character of harassment." (Publisher description)
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"Theatre for Development is one of the most dynamic and controversial theatre movements on the global South. Emerging in Southern Africa in the
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1970s to address social and economic problems using theatrical techniques, today it is taught in theatre departments across sub-Saharan Africa and employed in numerous contexts from health care to agriculture. This book investigates the emergence of TfD from its beginnings to its transformation into a coherent organizational field capable of attracting significant governmental and NGO funding. Drawing on leading African scholars and practitioners the volume examines the complex transnational processes that led to the institutionalization of Theatre for Develoment." (Publisher description)
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"The quest for effective strategies for rural development continues to be a challenge for policymakers in sub-Saharan Africa and their
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development partners. Communication development strategies executed using FM stations have emerged as a promising tool as a result of the medium being the most popular source of information among rural dwellers in the region. Thus, this research explores the efficacy of FM radio in rural development by examining the listening patterns of residents and the benefits of such listenership to the lives of inhabitants of the Tamale metropolitan area. This is achieved via a quantitative analysis of surveys of about 400 residents of the Tamale metropolis. The study rejects the perception that FM radio programs in Ghana are mostly entertainment driven and are purveyors of light news. By putting searchlight on the motivations of radio listeners, the study finds that FM radio is the most reliable and trusted source of development information because of the ease, convenience and low cost of listening for listeners, and because programming is mostly in local languages. The study establishes that FM radio is the main source of information on agriculture, education and health in rural communities thereby contributing to rural development. Listeners’ participations in radio phone-in programs were highly rated for fostering audience motivation and agency. However, some challenges emerged. Listenership of FM stations was disproportionately male; there were complaints that radio programs were too “urban”; programming lacked innovation; and the timing of programs was poor. Based on these findings, the study recommends that FM radio stations should employ media" (Abstract)
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"This desk review report provides an overview of data governance in Africa, exploring policy frameworks, implementation challenges, regional collaborations, capacity building, governmental initiatives, civil society engagement,
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and academia's role. The continent's increasing reliance on digital systems has spurred a surge in data production, necessitating robust governance frameworks. While progress is evident with the enactment of data protection laws and establishment of regulatory bodies, implementation challenges persist due to resource constraints and political complexities.
Regional collaborations within Africa, particularly among East African Community (EAC), Southern African Development Community (SADC), and Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), manifest a collective recognition of the importance of data governance. These collaborations offer guidance and promote policy enactments, shaping data protection laws and enhancing responsible data practices across member states.
Amidst the evolving data governance landscape, capacity building emerges as a critical aspect, spotlighting the need for nurturing skills in data management, analysis, and ethics. Challenges within educational infrastructure and workforce training gaps present barriers in fostering a skilled workforce capable of effective data governance practices.
Initiatives on data governance take on several forms notably through government endeavours such as the implementation of pivotal systems like the Health Management Information System, Integrated Revenue Administration System and Labour Market Information System among others. Furthermore, Civil Society Initiatives, including efforts from various organisations advocating for data privacy and open data, and initiatives in academia, such as Education Management Information Systems, significantly contribute to advancing ethical data practices and transparent data access." (Executive summary)
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"The book contributes to the sparse academic literature on African and minority language media research. It serves as a compendium of experiences, activities and case studies on the use of native
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language media. Chapters in this book make theoretical, methodical and empirical contributions about indigenous African language media that are affected by structural factors of politics, technology, culture and economy and how they are creatively produced and appropriated by their audiences across African cultures and contexts. This book explores indigenous African language media about media representations, media texts and contents, practice-based activities, audience reception and participation, television, popular culture and cinema, peace and conflict resolution, health and environmental crisis communication, citizen journalism, ethnic and identity formation, beat analysis and investigative journalism, and corporate communication. There are hardly any similar works that focus on the various issues relating to this body of knowledge." (Publisher description)
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"This book outlines how African language media is affected by politics, technology, culture, and the economy and how this media is creatively produced
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and appropriated by audiences across cultures and contexts. African language media can be considered as a tool for communication, socialization, and community that defines the various identities of indigenous people in Africa. This book shows how vernacular media outlets including radio and television, as well as native formats such as festivals, rituals and dance, can be used to influence all facets of local peoples' experience and understanding of community. The book also explores the relationship between African language media sources and contemporary issues including the digitalization conundrum, peace and conflict resolution, identity formation, hate speech and fake news. Furthermore, it shows how local media can be used for development communication purposes during health and environmental crises. The book includes cases studies demonstrating the uses, experiences and activities related to various forms of media available in African languages." (Publisher description)
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"Indigenous Language for Social Change Communication in the Global South brings together voices from the margins to engage in dialogue about common social change issues in Latin America, Africa, and
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Asia. This book argues that resistance and social movements, expressed in music and songs and exchanged via radio, remain fundamental to ensure that the linguistic and cultural diversity of the world progresses despite colonizing pressures. Contributors present cases that explore how indigenous communities use mediums such as the radio to help support their language, identity, and expand their own social change. Highlighting the centrality of music in the development of political discussions and language as a central part of collective identity, contributors analyze how these mediums function as both a vessel and a link for information and cultural cohesion of those engaging in social change." (Publisher description)
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"Covid Conspiracy Theories in Global Perspective examines how conspiracy theories and related forms of misinformation and disinformation about the Covid-19 pandemic have circulated widely around t
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he world. Covid conspiracy theories have attracted considerable attention from researchers, journalists, and politicians, not least because conspiracy beliefs have the potential to negatively affect adherence to public health measures. While most of this focus has been on the United States and Western Europe, this collection provides a unique global perspective on the emergence and development of conspiracy theories through a series of case studies. The chapters have been commissioned by recognized experts on area studies and conspiracy theories. The chapters present case studies on how Covid conspiracism has played out (some focused on a single country, others on regions), using a range of methods from a variety of disciplinary perspectives, including history, politics, sociology, anthropology, and psychology. Collectively, the authors reveal that, although there are many narratives that have spread virally, they have been adapted for different uses and take on different meanings in local contexts." (Publisher description)
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"[...] Equitable evaluation contends that conducting evaluation practices with an equity approach is more powerful, as evaluation is used as a tool for advancing equity. It emphasises that context, culture, history and beliefs shape the nature of e
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valuations, specifically in the diverse and often complex African reality. Equitable evaluation can render power to the powerless, offer a voice to the silenced and give presence to those treated as invisible. Evidence from various sources shows that inequality is prevalent in the African continent, hence the need to focus on evaluative solutions that address the structural issues that contribute to the different forms of inequality, such as economic, political and social inequality. Despite a plethora of development interventions in the African continent, a large proportion of the population on the continent still lacks access to basic goods and services for survival. The effectiveness of developmental programmes in sub-Saharan Africa has been uncertain, to the extent that minimal inroads have been made in addressing key challenges such as poverty, inequality and, currently, the effects of climate change. The Centre for Learning on Evaluation and Results, Anglophone Africa, supported by the Ford Foundation, commissioned two volumes on equitable evaluation in the Global South. The book chapters explore the following:
1. It takes stock of what we know about inequality: What is inequality in the African context, and how does it affect the lives of the citizens of African countries?
2. What is equitable evaluation? How can the concept of equitable evaluation be adopted in evaluation practice?
3. What lessons can be learnt from evaluations of interventions that address inequality at various levels (sectoral, programmatic, project)?
4. What epistemological transformation in evaluation practice is needed to achieve an equitable society?
5. How have issues of inequality manifested within evaluation practice through organisations, institutions and international development?
This book is the first of two volumes of voices from the Global South on equitable evaluation. The predominant methodology utilised is qualitative in nature. This scholarly book aims to invigorate academic discussions surrounding development programmes, with the goal of generating insights that can be utilised by evaluation commissioners and decision-makers in development programmes. These insights will help in addressing inequality and promoting a more equitable society in Africa through improved evaluation processes. The target audience for this book is primarily academics engaged in the field of developmental programmes in sub-Saharan Africa. No part of this work was plagiarised or published elsewhere." (Research justification, page v)
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"A majority of communities in sub–Saharan Africa subscribe to religion which is part of the people’s way of life. At the center of religion are religious leaders whom communities trust and con
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sult on various issues beyond faith and religion. By partnering with these revered figures and building their capacity to be champions for health we are able to impact the health of these communities in their day-to-day life."
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"The guideline provides a roadmap, flagging at which points in the process of commissioning, implementing and managing evaluations CEH-related considerations could and should be taken into account
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. As such, it covers the steps involved in preparing for an evaluation; developing the terms of reference (ToR) for an evaluation; managing the evaluation; and the post-evaluation development of an improvement plan and communication of the evaluation findings and recommendations. Given the often technical and complex nature of CEH-related issues, the guideline also provides an overview of the key concepts and features of CEH that underlie the rationale and dimensions of the evaluation criterion." (Introduction, page 2)
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"This report is intended to provide a broad review of the use and emerging governance of AI technology in Southern Africa. It aims at initiating public discussions
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and policy dialogue not only on the technological implications of the use of AI, but also on the social, political, and ethical significance and consequences of it. Through this report, UNESCO’s objective is also to provide the evidence that AI technologies are already being used in many domains and sectors in Southern Africa, thus countering the narrative that the ethics of AI is still premature to be discussed and taken seriously by the local actors in the region. The analysis comprises four parts that, read together, present a review of key policies, use cases, risks and opportunities for the design, development, governance and usage of responsible AI in the region. These are: (i) AI Regulatory and Policy Mapping; (ii) Analysis of Artificial Intelligence Applications; (iii) Ethical Risk of AI Use (derived from the findings in the policy mapping and use case analysis); and (iv) Key Opportunities and Recommendations." (Introduction)
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"Africa has become a linchpin in the EU’s ambitions to support economic development, particularly through digital transformation. The February 2022 EU-African Union (AU) Summit will provide an o
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pportunity to present the EU’s Global Gateway not only in opposition to China’s Belt and Road Initiative but also as a cooperation project between two interested parties. The goal should be to jointly accelerate digital development, not only in infrastructure but also in the development of sector-specific digital applications digital skills and capacity building as well as policy frameworks and regulations. Such efforts require a partnership of mutual respect and shared interests that advances individual and human rights and democratic norms and that addresses pivotal issues such as health, education, climate change and sustainability. The EU also needs to ensure a coherent and coordinated approach that links Global Gateway with the European Green Deal." (Summary)
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"The Essential Guide to Critical Development Studies provides an up-to-date and authoritative introduction to the field, challenging mainstream develop
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ment discourse and the assumptions that underlie it. Critical development studies lays bare the economic, political, social and environmental crises that characterize the current global capitalist system, proposing instead systemic change and different pathways for moving beyond capitalism into a new world of genuine progress where economic and social justice and ecological integrity prevail. In this book, the authors challenge market-driven, neoliberal development agendas, incorporating analyses of class, gender, race and the dynamics of uneven capitalist development. This thoroughly revised and expanded second edition includes: 18 new chapters including on topics such as philanthrocapitalism, race, the energy transition, Indigenous resistance and resilience, and global health; Expanded global coverage, including new chapters on South Africa, North Africa and the Gulf Arab states; A new section on Resistance and Alternatives." (Publisher description)
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"The book traces communication in Nigeria back to pre-colonial indigenous communication, through the development of telecommunication, broadcasting networks, the press, the Nigerian flm industry (‘Nollywood’)
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and on to the digital era. At a time when Western voices still dominate the academic literature on communication in Africa, this book is noteworthy in drawing almost exclusively on the expertise of Nigeria-based authors, critiquing the discipline from their own lens and providing an important contribution to the decolonisation of communication studies. The authors provide a holistic analysis of the sector, encompassing print journalism, broadcast journalism, public relations, advertising, flm, development communication, organisational communication and strategic communication. Analysis of the role of digital technologies is woven throughout the book, concluding with a fnal section theorising the future of communication studies in Nigeria in light of the digital media revolution." (Publisher description)
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"This document reports on the implementation of projects approved by the 64th meeting of the IPDC Bureau (June 2020) and implemented in 2020-2021, and on projects approved as part of IPDC’s rapi
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d response mechanism in January 2021. It also includes the implementation reports of several projects that were approved by the 63rd Bureau meeting in June 2019 but whose implementation timeframe was extended until December 2021 due to delays related to the COVID-19 pandemic. It is meant for the information of the IPDC Bureau Members and donors." (Page 1)
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