"This chapter presents the Multidimensional Model for Change (MMC), an innovative model aimed at improving people’s life; it includes the elements of the Communication-Based Assessment (CBA) and Communication Needs Assessment (CNA) frameworks. It is based on a mix of theories of change management
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and the current conception of communication for development (C4D) applied to investigate and understand the larger development picture using the postulates of the CBA framework, which includes the socio-economic, political and cultural environments in development and social change. The MMC when driven by C4D is effective in the development mode, even if it could also be used in other modes such as emergencies and empowerment. The MMC has C4D at its core and it cannot be applied without participation of all stakeholders. In addition, MMC addresses the shortcomings of the past by applying a cross-sectoral approach and multidimensional assessment which allow strategic and comprehensive planning." (Abstract)
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"This incisive Handbook critically examines the role and place of media and communication in development and social change, reflecting a vision for change anchored in values of social justice. Outlining the genealogy and history of the field, it then investigates the possible new directions and obje
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ctives in the area. Key conclusions include an enhanced role for development communication in participatory development, active agency of stakeholders of development programs, and the operationalization of social justice in development." (Publisher description)
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"The book contains 85 chapters written by persons who have been on those frontlines of communication and development [...] A variety of case studies appear in the book. For example, Kriss Barker and Fatou Jah – in a chapter titled “Entertainment-Education in Radio: Three Case Studies from Africa
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” – explore in detail projects in Nigeria, Burundi and Burkina Faso that used a communication intervention approach advanced by the Population Media Center. Other chapters in the Handbook take the reader to Spain, Kenya, South Africa, Kazakhstan, and beyond. Song Shi examines “ICTs and Modernization in China,” revealing that assumptions and theories of the modernization paradigm have significantly influenced the policies and projects on ICT4D in contemporary China. And, Song Shi writes, discussion on the potential of other approaches in ICT4D in China has also emerged among scholars. Hina Ayaz discusses the “Multiplicity Approach in Participatory Communication” in Pakistan – wherein the country adopted the Global Polio Eradication Initiative – only to run into negative perceptions and banning of polio vaccinations. However, a shift to a more successful approach, grounded in UNICEF’s social mobilization and communityinvolvement communication strategy, brought significant success. While many of the Handbook case studies incorporate participation as a significant development factor, they also address a wide range of social and political issues including, for example, civic engagement, sexual harassment, empowerment, and community voices. In addition to an abundance of case studies from around the world, the Handbook delves into various research methods that are being used to understand and design communication for development and social change interventions [...] Handbook editor Jan Servaes' own chapter (with Rico Lie), “Key Concepts, Disciplines, and Fields in Communication for Development and Social Change ” identifies five clusters of concepts and practices that are evident in the field today and which determine the activities and approaches in communication for sustainable development and social change interventions: The clusters are (1) a normative cluster of concepts; (2) a cluster of concepts that sets an important context for communication activities for development; (3) a cluster of strategic and methodological concepts; (4) a cluster of concepts that relate to methods, techniques, and tools; and (5) a cluster of concepts that addresses the practices of advocacy, (participatory) monitoring and evaluation, and impact assessment. The authors extend their discussion into three subdivisions: (1) health communication, (2) agricultural extension and rural communication, and (3) environmental communication (including climate change communication). This leads the reader into issues related to (1) right to communicate; (2) education and learning; (3) innovation, science, and technology; (4) natural resource management; (5) food security; (6) poverty reduction; (7) peace and conflict; (8) children and youth, women, and senior citizens; and (9) tourism. Some of the forerunners of development communication have not been forgotten. In “Daniel Lerner and the Origins of Development Communication”, Hemant Shah links Lerner’s 1958 book Passing of Traditional Society to today’s modernization and faith in technology to solve social problems. Also contributing to the foundation of this field is Paulo Freire who contributed much to idea that participation should be a vital part of the development dialogue. Ana Fernández-Aballí Altamirano’s chapter on "The Importance of Paulo Freire to Communication for Development and Social Change" highlights his main work Pedagogy of the Oppressed as a "before-and-after" in the fields of education, research, and communication, initially in Latin America and later in both North and South. Particularly in the case of development communication and communication for social change, the author stresses, Freire’s work had a definitive impact ..." (Review by Royal Donald Colle, Journal of Development Communication, vol. 30 (2), page 92-94)
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"This publication is an easy-to-read introduction to current concepts and practices of development communication. It consists of four parts. The first chapter distinguishes between three main conceptual approaches to development communication: the diffusion model, the life skills model and the parti
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cipatory model. The second chapter briefly develops principles of participatory communication. The third describes the four phases of the communication programme cycle in the context of development cooperation, including the participatory communication assessment (PCA), the communication strategy design, the implementation and the monitoring and evaluation phases. The final part presents three cases to illustrate how civil society organisations approach participatory communication: the Peruvian community development NGO 'Minga Peru' applying holistic and bottom-up approaches grounded on rights-based community development; the Tanzanian NGO 'Femina' focusing on user-driven content and participative formative research; and the Indian 'National Center for Promotion and Employment for Disabled People' seeking dialogue with parliamentarians and networking with relevant stakeholders." (CAMECO Update 4-2009)
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"This book is essential reading for anybody interested in development communication. Mefalopulos, a World Bank development communication officer with wide-ranging experiences in the field, presents four modules. The first module concisely presents
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the concepts and applications of development communications and their relevance for development operations. The second module addresses communication officers and practitioners who want to become acquainted with the theoretical foundations. The third focuses on methodological applications of development communication, describing the typical program cycle of communication-based assessment, strategy design, implementation and evaluation. The fourth module presents practical experiences to illustrate DevComm's relevance, including e.g. the use of development communication in poverty reduction strategies or strengthening local voices through community radio. Given its modular structure, this straight-forward publication is a valuable resource on the strategic use of communication processes in development." (CAMECO Update 4-2008)
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