The Drum Beat – Issue 564 – Communication and Change News and Issues
October 25 2010
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This issue includes:
* Request for YOUR INPUT: Drum Beat format.
* EXPERIENCES: radio topics/tools, dialogue/connection, fresh media.
* Gratitude to new and renewing CI ASSOCIATES.
* CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS: cases in public health communication.
* TRENDS: mobile phones…new learning strategies.
* POLL: HIV media exposure risks.
* STRATEGIC THINKING: think tanks, advocacy video, gender justice, child protection.
* Update on C-Change’s FAMILY PLANNING in Malawi.
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From The Communication Initiative Network – where communication and media are central to social and economic development.
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Access this issue online at http://www.comminit.com/en/drum_beat_564.html
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We’ve been experimenting over the past few months with new formats of The Drum Beat. We’d really love to hear feedback from you. Previous editions have been various styles of HTML email messages. This current edition is a «plain text» email. Please click reply (or send an email to drumbeat@comminit.com) and let us know what you prefer – plain text or HTML. Many thanks for your valuable input!
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EXPERIENCES
http://www.comminit.com/en/experiences.html
1. Interactive Radio for Justice (IRfJ) – Central African Republic and Democratic Republic of Congo
This radio project is designed to encourage dialogue between people in regions where the International Criminal Court (ICC) is investigating crimes against humanity, war crimes, and genocide. Six listening groups get together to listen to the radio programmes and discuss their questions on justice. The project also involves the production of original music around these themes: respect for the rule of law, sexual violence, the future for youth after war, and reconciliation and peace.
http://www.comminit.com/en/node/307672/3083
2. Standing Women – Global Unity for a Better World – Global
This initiative is designed to galvanise women across the world to join together each year on the second Sunday in May to recognise the importance for all children of meeting basic needs such as safe drinking water, clean air, food for all to eat, access to education, adequate health care, and safety from violence. It draws on community mobilisation strategies – fueled by multimedia, interactive internet exchanges – to encourage people to gather for a 5-minute-long silence in local parks, schools, churches, and other public places to promote a better world for future generations.
http://www.comminit.com/en/node/317579/303
3. Angel Water [Agua de Angel] – Honduras
This Honduran radio serial uses drama to creatively address threats to the local eco-system and way of life in Valle de Angeles (Valley of Angels). Angel Water’s storyline focuses on environmental conservation, especially issues related to water. More than 50 community leaders were trained on media production skills such as acting, script writing, and character development. Local volunteers between the ages of 12 and 70 write, record, produce, and host the show.
http://www.comminit.com/en/node/319622/306
4. Skurakaa 2 (Partners 2) Project – Egypt
This project involves the establishment of citizenship clubs in universities across Egypt whose members are trained to use media to investigate and challenge social issues such as unemployment, sexual harassment, education, and overpopulation. The clubs teach students about the importance of civic involvement in their communities; students are then trained in newspaper, radio, and television production. They select a local community issue, gather information, and produce an article, radio, or television insert to publicise their findings and offer possible solutions to the problems highlighted.
http://www.comminit.com/en/node/290666/2754
5. Community Media Index (CMI) – South Africa
CMI is a participatory assessment and action planning tool that is intended for community media projects to use to enhance their ability to reflect and grow. It comprises 3 components – framing and measuring tools, data gathering and analysing tools, and reporting tools – which are designed to measure 4 dimensions of a media project: purpose and impact; ownership and control; organisational and financial sustainability; and quality content.
http://www.comminit.com/en/node/290185/376
6. Green Guerrillas Youth Media Tech Collective – United States
This grassroots job-training programme engages marginalised youth in central New York in the United States to study documentary and narrative filmmaking and make their own media (from posters to movies), do outreach at community events, advocate for equitable living and learning environments, travel to meet up with peers and share their work, and get their «hands dirty» learning about renewable energy.
http://www.comminit.com/en/node/313144/306
7. Bridging the Divide – United States; Middle East and North Africa
The goal of this US-based organisation is to contribute to a safer and saner world by promoting long-lasting partnerships between civil society leaders in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) and globally-minded Americans. The Bridging the Divide website explains multifaceted social, ethnic, religious, political, and economic conflicts through a geography/history section.
http://www.comminit.com/en/node/320830/348
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CI ASSOCIATES
http://www.comminit.com/ci_associates/members
We’d like to thank the Shirley Ann Sullivan Educational Foundation – http://www.comminit.com/en/node/323529 – for their new contribution as well as Health Communication Resources Inc. – http://www.comminit.com/en/node/271569 – for their renewed contribution in support of The CI Network through the CI Associates process.
The voluntary support of these organisations goes directly to the services we provide to The CI Network through The CI website, The Drum Beat, and all of our interactive platforms. Please consider joining them and other CI Associates.
For a full list of current CI Associates, please see http://www.comminit.com/ci_associates/members
For details and to sign up, please see http://www.comminit.com/ci_associates/register
Thank you.
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CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS
Cases in Public Health Communication & Marketing
Volume 5
Cases in Public Health Communication & Marketing is a peer-reviewed, student-edited journal of The George Washington University School of Public Health and Health Services and is currently seeking submissions for Volume 5 – to be published in December 2011. Case studies considered for publication should include: a project description, original analysis or evaluation of the programme or programme component, and summary highlighting the contribution this case study makes to the broader context of health communication or social marketing practice and/or research. To view examples of case studies, past Cases volumes, and further information, please visithttp://www.comminit.com/redirect.cgi?m=ee8b7c68a2abceed905e0b9f46796951
Interested authors must submit a brief letter of intent by November 1 2010 (5:00 PM EST, United States time) to the journal editors atgwcases@gmail.com The deadline for submission is December 10 2010.
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TRENDS
http://www.comminit.com/en/trends.html
8. Mobile Phones Bring Revolution to Developing World
by Kate Bulkley
According to this June 2010 article: «A wave of mobile technology spreading across the third world promises more efficient disaster relief, cheaper energy and a faster route out of poverty…»
http://www.comminit.com/en/node/320709/307
9. «Ideas Generator» Charles Leadbeater to Illustrate New Learning Strategies – with Lessons from the Slums
In this July 2010 interview, Charles Leadbeater previews his thinking on the obsolescence of school curricula and his advocacy for «disruptive innovation” and radical transformation in the digital age. He describes digital technology as able to respond with more flexible delivery of learning, «self-organised learning» – enabling children to learn from it themselves, with teachers and peers as mentors.
http://www.comminit.com/en/node/324842/307
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Please VOTE in our Poll on HIV Media Exposure Risks
http://www.comminit.com/en/node/310787/347
What reception or risks do HIV-positive people in your community face when their status is exposed in the media? (you may choose more than one; please add clarifying comments)
* repercussions of physical danger.
* banishment.
* loss of family support.
* increased personal access to treatment.
* increased community and peer support.
* none of the above.
RESULTS as of October 22:
Reception/risk of…
29%: loss of family support.
18%: banishment.
16%: repercussions of physical danger.
16%: increased community and peer support.
7%: none of the above (explain below).
14%: increased personal access to treatment.
A few select comments:
«All of the options can occur in PNG. Public retribution, and assaults which may be lethal, are the anticipated norm. But there is a lot of variety and different ethnic/religious/cultural groups react in different ways. In addition, if HIV+ people are ‘outed’ it is also possible for them to experience an identity shift and development of a new career or vacation in the ‘hiv industry’ or ‘plhiv guest speaker / commitee member circuit'»
«Gradually people are accepting those living with HIV/AIDS. This is not to say that all would be accepted and/or supported. The kind or impact of response or reaction may depend on the family’s level of exposure to the diverse issues to do with HI/AIDS.For some it may be acceptance, for pthers they may be rejected instantly. Stigma and discrimination can take any form, can be as subtle as avoidance and can as well be manifest dramatically in violence. Therefore it would be beneficial to weigh the benefits of exposure as well as the risks.»
«Stigma at the health facility level and in the community is bound to discourage a person to reveal his/her status even if perception of being high risk does indicate need for disclosure. Insufficient knowledge about risks and treatment is compounded by myths and misconceptions of what can cause HIV and what prevention steps are essential for the partner.»
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STRATEGIC THINKING
http://www.comminit.com/en/thinking.html
10. Think Tanks and the Rise of the Knowledge Economy: Their Linkages with National Politics and External Donors
by Ajoy Datta, Nicola Jones, and Enrique Mendizabal
This chapter from a May 2010 book assesses the linkages think tanks have with national and local political processes and actors in the developing world and considers the implications of these relationships on think tanks’ research priorities, policy messages, and policy-influencing channels. «In all cases, personal/informal linkages are a more important channel to influence policy than institutional linkages.»
http://www.comminit.com/en/node/319174/348
11. The Power of Video Advocacy: An Interview with the Hungarian Civil Liberties Union
by Brett Davidson
This May 2010 interview with István Gábor Takács, Video Advocacy Program Officer at the Hungarian Civil Liberties Union (HCLU), explores the use of advocacy video to create change on drug policy issues in Hungary. Takács says: «To all of those who want to learn making videos: just start! With technology changing all the time, it’s no longer that expensive….Find ways to learn editing skills through friends, or if you speak English, there are very, very good online tutorials and forums. Sometimes you will experience technical difficulties but they can always be solved…»
http://www.comminit.com/en/node/317590/307
12. Concept Paper: International Gender Justice Dialogue
This paper was created in support of the International Gender Justice Dialogue, a convening held April 19-21 2010 in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, which brought together a group of 80-90 gender experts, feminist legal theorists, peace mediators, legal practitioners, jurists, women’s rights advocates, policymakers, members of the media, and activists to develop a strategic, shared agenda for advancing gender justice around the globe. The core idea is that, by developing a shared set of priorities for advancing gender justice globally, participants in the Dialogue are seeking to increase the efficacy of all their advocacy efforts.
http://www.comminit.com/en/node/316253/36
13. Building Public Support for Anti-Corruption Efforts: Why Anti-Corruption Agencies Need to Communicate and How
by Elaine Byrne, Anne-Katrin Arnold, and Fumiko Nagano
Published in April 2010, this guide intends to respond to the anti-corruption community’s need for tools to address the challenges of working with the media and mobilising public support in the fight against corruption. As argued here, government agencies can set things straight only by providing sufficient and clear information, and by working closely with the media to ensure the message is accurate.
http://www.comminit.com/en/node/316316/348
14. Silent Suffering: The Psychosocial Impact of War, HIV, and Other High-risk Situations on Girls and Boys in West and Central Africa
by Jenny Morgan and Alice Behrendt
The product of a 5-country study, this April 2009 report argues that child protection programmes in West and Central Africa need to be better tailored to meet community needs and practices. The authors suggest that churches and traditional groups may be able to help transmit these messages with the help of community radio stations. They also argue that parents and caregivers need emotional support to cope with their own traumas before they can undergo necessary training regarding children’s rights and developmental needs. Finally, the report suggests that communities should strive to create safe spaces for children that encourage them to participate in games, group discussions, and role-playing games.
http://www.comminit.com/en/node/307747/3083
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FAMILY PLANNING: C-CHANGE IN MALAWI
In Malawi, C-Change – http://www.comminit.com/redirect.cgi?m=a64a6964fd117c30f2ffe0f763fd3e0e – is working closely with the Ministry of Health’s Health Education Unit (HEU) to develop an evidence-based and systematic strategic planning process for family planning communication. Under a taskforce that coordinates family planning communication programming by all partners, C-Change leads a working group that is developing national guidelines. These are now being field-tested by C-Change and the HEU, and will be rolled out in 2011.
C-Change is also working with the HEU to build district-level and local capacity in social and behaviour change communication (SBCC) on family planning. C-Change’s support for the HEU aims to leverage all partner resources to ensure greater uptake of family planning services in Malawi and to provide a model for coordinating and taking communication strategies to scale.
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The Drum Beat is the email and web network of The Communication Initiative Partnership – ANDI, BBC World Service Trust, Bernard van Leer Foundation, Calandria, CFSC Consortium, CIDA, DFID, FAO, Fundación Nuevo Periodismo Iberoamericano, Ford Foundation, Healthlink Worldwide, Inter-American Development Bank, International Institute for Communication and Development, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health Center for Communication Programs, MISA, PAHO, The Panos Institute, The Rockefeller Foundation, SAfAIDS, Sesame Workshop, Soul City, Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation, UNAIDS, UNDP, UNICEF, USAID, WHO, W.K. Kellogg Foundation.
Chair of the Partners Group: Garth Japhet, Founder, Soul City garth@heartlines.org.za
Executive Director: Warren Feek wfeek@comminit.com
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The Editor of The Drum Beat is Kier Olsen DeVries.
Please send additional project, evaluation, strategic thinking, and materials information on communication for development at any time. Send to drumbeat@comminit.com
The Drum Beat seeks to cover the full range of communication for development activities. Inclusion of an item does not imply endorsement or support by The Partners.
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