The Drum Beat 29 - Communication and Change News and Issues

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PROGRAMMES

1. Tubajon Community Radio - Philippines - is located on a remote island in The Philippines, taking 2 days of transportation to arrive. Created in 1998 with training and equipment from UNESCO through the Tambuli Network, the running of the station has since been a responsibility of the community. They are in need of a larger transmitter, seed funds for permanent staff, and ways to ensure the future of the station. Contact Padre Kiko Magnaye [email protected]

2. Centro IXIM - Guatemala - is a Mayan video production collective created to promote peace and human rights in Guatemala and to open communication opportunities for the Indigenous Mayan population. IXIM collective produces documentaries in Mayan languages and Spanish on the issues that effect the indigenous community. They also document violations of human rights against indigenous peoples for national and international educational purposes. Contact Wendy-Maria Jacques [email protected]

3. "NetAid" - Global - UNDP, Cisco, Akamai Technologies and KPMG are sponsoring this global multimedia webcast and concert on October 9th to raise money and awareness about hunger and poverty. NetAid dedicates itself to connecting people in need with resources and problem-solvers who can help, accompanied by a focus on successful programmes and policies. NetAid site.

4. Radio CDC - South Africa - provides pre-packaged programming and live national call-ins via satellite, to 21 community radio stations in all 9 South African provinces. They are developing a "Peace Radio" programme of short radio documentaries and call-ins on political violence in the Greenfields and Mandela Park informal settlements. Contact Chris Armstrong [email protected]

5. Kingston Area Youth Foundation - Jamaica - was launched in Feb. 1997 as an arts, education and inner city community development programme. It includes training of youth in performing arts, design & construction of theatrical sets, management skills, producing of plays, audio & video recordings, and community outreach activities & scholarships. Currently developing a website and radio programmes with ROOT FM on a variety of social issues. Contact Jocelyn Josiah [email protected]

6. "Meena, Girl Child" Update - India - UNICEF launched 'Meena' Girl Child Week in India on 20 Sep. 1999. Click here for details.


COMMUNICATION TRENDS

7. "Converging Responsibility: Broadcasting and the Internet in Developing Countries" was a conference held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia 4-6 Sep. 1999. People from 35 institutions in 19 countries expressed concern about the disparities between levels of access in various parts of the world. Noting the initiatives undertaken by various bodies to educate and support new telecommunication and broadcast regulators in developing countries, the report underlines the 'need to expand these efforts to include the education of citizens and NGOs to ensure they are aware of their rights and responsibilities in the new regulatory environments.' It also identifies creative proposals for extending knowledge by making use of existing radio broadcast networks. 'In large parts of the South, [radio] is the only communication device that most people have access to." Click here for website. 


WEB SITES

8. SATELLIFE is an international humanitarian organization employing satellite, telephone, and Internet technology to serve the health communication and information needs of countries in the developing world through a global computer-based communications network, HealthNet. Emphasis is on areas where access is limited by poor communications, economic conditions, or natural disasters. Now opening a Regional Information Technology Training Centre (RITTC) in Nairobi, Kenya. Click here for website.

9. Article on Maendeleo ya Wanawake Organisation's work of changing attitudes to female circumcision is on the BBC News Online Network. See website. 


STRATEGY

10. Review a strategy framework for "Social Mobilisation and Reproductive Health" by Nancy Russell at CEDPA which is now on The Communication Initiative web site. Use the COMMENTS button to send your response and critique.

GATHERINGS

11. Namibia national chapter of the Media Institute of Southern Africa held a seminar 8-10 May 1999, sponsored by the Freidrich Ebert Stiftung, to discuss the future of broadcasting in Namibia. Seminar was attended by 30 media practitioners and representatives from Namibian NGOs. MISA Namibia has been mandated to form a task force to liase with other stakeholders and legislators to achieve a broad policy debate and input into a dedicated broadcasting policy. Contact John Barker [email protected]

12. 1st International Conference on Promoting Mental Health at School, "From Ripples to Waves," was held in Helsinki 13-14 Sep. 1999. It involved educators, teachers, health promoters, NGO representatives, parents and 1,000 students. The main aims were: to increase knowledge about the mental health promotion in the school setting; to boost the notion of the European Network of Health Promoting Schools jointly launched by WHO, EU, and Council of Europe; to draw youth into mental health activities; and, to enhance the use of telematics in developing social dimensions of mental health. See website. Contact Ulla Salomäki [email protected]

13. "The Projection of Women in Advertising" was the theme of a 1-day seminar in Delhi held by UNIFEM/India and the Confederation of Indian Industries (CII). Conducted to start dialogue, the seminar addressed a range of issues such as the use and role of gender stereotypes in advertising, defining ideas of decency and vulgarity, and legislative frameworks and mechanisms that govern advertising. Key recommendations included hiring of women at all levels of employment, wide dissemination of codes, guidelines and good practices, and facilitating regular dialogue among key stakeholders with CII serving as a key forum. Contact S. Sen [email protected]


MATERIALS

14. "Entertainment-Education - a Communication Strategy for Social Change" is a new book by Arvind Singhal and Everett Rogers. Focuses on history, programming examples and best strategies in the use of entertainment-education strategies to achieve development goals. Programmes reviewed include Soul City, Hum Log, Dialogo, Twende na Wakati and Simplemente Maria. Contact [email protected] OR [email protected]

15. In 1995, "Las Capullanas" was a newspaper insert written in simple language to reach rural populations with ways to start small home industries and earn additional income. Circulation reached almost 90,000 readers in all of Peru. Paper costs forced a turn to the Internet and it has now become an analytical review. In-depth articles cover globalization issues, rural poverty, discrimination, urbanisation, development, literacy, education for rural children, and agenda for women and are distributed to government ministries, universities, media, and European embassies, among others. Contact [email protected]

16. Call for abstracts - a document on "Contracting for Extension Services" is to be published by the World Bank in late 2000. Seeking practical descriptions of actual experiences by public or private entities. Contact William Rivera [email protected] cc: [email protected] 


PEOPLE

17. The International Institute for Environment and Development (IIED) is seeking to appoint a Director of Communication [Salary c. £37,000]. "Dynamic communication is at the heart of the challenge to achieve sustainable and equitable development. The Director of Communication will ensure the best possible exchange of knowledge, both internally and externally, through the creative use of electronic and print publishing, and through a proactive media strategy." Contact [email protected] fax 44 171 388 2826 

18. Aga Khan Foundation Canada is seeking a Manager for Development Communications. AKFC promotes development communication efforts in order to create a greater understanding amongst Canadians of the nature of international development. Contact [email protected]

 

Further information on these and other vacancies can be seen in the Vacancies section of The Communication Initiative web site - click here and scroll down. 

 

19. Erma Manoncourt is moving from UNICEF, NY to join UNICEF, New Delhi as Deputy Director in early Oct. 1999. Contact [email protected]

20. Michelle Folsom has left USAID/REDSO and is the new Director of PATH (Programs for Appropriate Technology in Health) in Africa. Contact [email protected]

21. Fackson Banda, previously at the Christian Council of Zambia is the new Director of The Panos Institute - Southern Africa. [email protected] 

 

Thanks to all for their involvement and support. Please send items for The Drum Beat to the Editor - Deborah Heimann [email protected]