The Drum Beat 62 - Communication and Change News and Issues

Senior Behavior Change Communication Specialists (X2) - PSI
Senior HIV/AIDS Specialist - The Futures Groups International
Senior Nutrition/Food Security Specialist - AED
 

PROGRAMMES

1. Mothers Against Military Advancement in Sierra (MAMAS') Crisis Communications Network - West Africa - offers a rapid response solution and mechanism for long-term communication planning, to address the needs of women in Sierra Leone and Guinea. Elements of the project include: local communication points; hospital and medical clinic access; "GreenStar Hubs", or dispatch centres, which are connected to resource centres; and, technology support and training programmes. The Network will provide an initial pilot programme, in the context of developing an All-African model. Each aspect of program will inform longer range cooperative planning to support peace, health and sustainable development in West Africa. Contact Linda Hawkin Israel [email protected]

2. Lessons Learned from Shelters for Women Victims of Domestic Violence - Latin America - The Inter American Development Bank will hold a workshop from 10-13 Sep. 2000 in Managua, Nicaragua. A policy document on recommendations and strategies will be published and distributed to governments and NGO's. Contact Rosa Bernal [email protected] OR [email protected]

3. Composite Awareness Programme on HIV/AIDS - Bangladesh - Theatre for Research Education & Empowerment (TREE) has developed a drama-based communication campaign to "Know AIDS for no AIDS." Traditional folk theatre style informs and generates interest to know more and to examine knowledge about AIDS, involving the audience in post-performance discussions and question-answer sessions. A concert of traditional music is the initial attraction to draw people together in public areas (markets, parks, train stations, etc.). The 1 hour drama is followed by a performer prompted and facilitated discussion session. Contact Raju Ahmed [email protected]

4. "Strengthening Attitudes: Opposing Domestic Violence in Culturally Diverse Communities" - Australia - A campaign to raise awareness and change attitudes about domestic violence, produced in the languages of 4 communities: Arabic, Chinese (Cantonese & Mandarin), Tongan, and Vietnamese. Included: Survey of community attitudes; Working Parties established within the 4 communities to organise community events, publicity of campaign, workshops, and special days (ie: Festival of Songs); Media Campaign - radio, print, television (only Vietnamese campaign), and billboards; and, Post Campaign and Campaign Reach Surveys. Website. Scroll down to "Reports". Contact Di Lane, Women's Health Promotion, South Western Sydney Area Health Service. Phone: (02) 9780 2797.

5. Center for Participatory Change - USA - a non-profit organisation that aims to promote the formation and action of grassroots groups throughout Western North Carolina. They assist people in low-wealth communities in building small, community-led self development organisations, helping to bring these groups together, support them as they assess and address community issues, and provide training and resources that enable sustainability. 4 main programme areas: grassroots organising, organisational capacity building for grassroots groups, providing small grants to grassroots groups, and, building a region-wide coalition of grassroots groups. Website. Contact Craig White [email protected]

6. Simputer Trust - India - a non-profit organisation aiming to define and develop a low-cost mobile computing device (Simputer) for the rural masses. Will feature customisable Indian language front-end interfaces. Since the project's goal is to deliver a low-cost product, their strategy is to use widely available, free public-domain software for the operating environment and to develop their own applications. The Simputer is targeted as a shared computing device for a local community of users. Website. Contact Vijay Chandru [email protected]

7. Navigator Communications - Global - a film/video production agency to serve the communications needs of the international humanitarian aid sector. Specialises in promotional, development education and documentary filmmaking, and provides stock footage to news agencies with an emphasis on developmental and human rights issues. Website. Contact Nick Wood [email protected]

 

The most recent issue of THE MEDIA BEAT is available. Articles include: IT Skills Development - Mauritius & Namibia; Radio Material on the Internet - South Africa; Pan-Caribbean Radio/TV Network - Caribbean; Mobilising Rural People's Savings - South Africa; Condom Sales - Namibia.
 

REQUESTS

8. Call for participants - Seoul - The People's Coalition for Media Reform is holding a small international seminar on Media Democracy in mid-Oct. 2000 for 8-10 participants from the Asia/Europe regions. Issues include: Transnational media moguls and international media scene - Market penetration by Transnational media monopoly capital & its impact on media democracy from the perspective of developing countries; Alternative media activism in Asia & Europe - The overall situation of the use of radio, video, internet for progressive social change in Asia & Europe. To nominate yourself or another, Contact Myoung Joon Kim [email protected]

9. Call for information - HIV/AIDS communication programming - Asia - The Theatre section of the Royal Tropical Institute (KIT) is organising a series of 6 programmes dealing with HIV/AIDS to be initially held in the Netherlands. They are creating an inventory of professional or community groups, networks, companies and individuals in ASIA who are active in any of the following fields: (street) theatre and drama, puppetry, film or video productions, photography, music productions, art, exhibitions. They would also like information on existing materials (films, videos, soap serials, music) and where/how to obtain them. Website. Send full contact info. (address, telephone, fax, e-mail) to: [email protected]

10. Call for materials - WHO/CDC Tobacco Cessation Campaigns - Seeking lessons learned and results from media campaigns in order to launch effective messages for a future global cessation-focused campaign. A summary report of global learnings will be finalized in fall 2000, and will be available on CDC's website and/or via e-mail. Send summary documents, analysis, research results and materials, including a contact name, phone and email address. Contact Elizabeth Schar [email protected]

11. Call for information - Information and Communication Needs of Youth Organizations Survey - Conducted by the Education, Extension and Communication Service of the FAO, the purpose is to gain an understanding of information and communication needs in order to help strengthen youth organisations to empower rural youth to better contribute to improved food security and sustainable development. Questionnaire available at: Website. Deadline: 29 Sep. 2000. Contact [email protected]

TRAINING

12. Public Conversations Project Fall 2000 Trainings - "The Power of Dialogue: Constructive Conversations on Divisive Issues" and "Inquiry as Interventions: Crafting Questions with Purpose and Impact". Website. Contact [email protected]

WEB SITES

13. The Sphere Project - an NGO initiative to improve the quality and accountability of humanitarian aid. The aim is to improve the quality of assistance provided to people affected by disasters, and to enhance the accountability of the humanitarian system in disaster response. Includes Handbook (English, French and Spanish), drafts of training material, newsletters, project reports and information on the project's management.

MATERIALS

14. The Leeds Health Education Database - a project to compile a database of published health education/communication interventions in developing countries that provide evidence of impact. 521 published studies of health education interventions (357 published since 1990) are in a computer data-base. These cover a range of health topics including child health, safe motherhood, nutrition, AIDS, reproductive health, tropical disease control and hygiene education as well as mass media, school-based, clinic-based and community participation programmes. Contact Dr. John Hubley [email protected]

EVENTS

OCT. - (4) "Liderazgo Estrategico en Salud Publica" - Cuernavaca, Mexico; Managing Quality through Regulation: Priorities & Possibilities - Washington, DC; (10) International Conference on Health Research for Development - Bangkok, Thailand; (23) Race, Gender Equality & Cultural Identity - Namibia; Media & Globalisation - Singapore.

 

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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