The Drum Beat 71 - Communication and Change News and Issues

PROGRAMMES

1. Puppet Theatre to explore Voter Awareness - Tanzania - Small World Theatre (SWT) collaborated with Tanzanian performers to find out what prevents people, particularly women in poor communities, from participating in the election. They used participatory theatre as a research tool and introduced life size puppets of women, enabling people living in poor communities around Dar es Salaam to create stories which reflected their lives. These became part of performances which actors replayed to larger audiences in those communities. Audiences joined in, argued with the characters and each other and explored the nature of democracy. Website. Contact Ann Shrosbee [email protected]

2. Internet Chat with Young People on Polio - Africa - an Internet Chat (June 2000) of young polio eradication volunteers in Angola, The Gambia, Niger, and Nigeria. Participants reported that poverty and insecurity are affecting peoples' reactions to the vaccination efforts. Also noted that eradication effort benefits from creative use of media, including public "shouters", popular singers, messages at sports events, etc. Contact Sophie Helle-Neyreneuf [email protected]

3. "Tuned in to Gender Equity" - Central America - 20 producers of community radio, audio production centres and collectives met in Costa Rica to share experiences and design strategies and actions towards the inclusion of a gender perspective in their work. From Oct 8-12, colleagues from Honduras, Guatemala, Costa Rica, El Salvador and Nicaragua assessed the status of gender equity in radio in the region. Live clips from the workshop were broadcast for the local audience on FIRE´s program "Está Legal" in Radio América, and internationally on FIRE´s Web Radio. Website. Contact [email protected]

4. Youth Assembly - Bihar - a 3 day assembly concluded in Patna with the release of the Patna Youth Charter. Over 100 youth leaders and activists from 37 districts participated. They identified and deliberated on 10 issues that confront Bihar today. The Charter urges the Government and people of Bihar to treat every working child as a "priority attention citizen". It demands a society that is human rights centered, with amendments to the rules and regulations of the state in accordance with CRC and CEDAW, all-out efforts in achieving health goals, speeding up of Panchayat elections, and implementation of "education guarantee schemes". Contact Augustine Veliath [email protected]

5. World Comics Organisation - Global - a network for people to promote the use of comics as a means for social change and as a way to gain new insights into other cultures. World Comics has begun cooperation with groups and individuals in Tanzania, Kenya, India, Mozambique and the Republic of Mari El (Russian Federation). Activities include: training workshops for artists and activists to produce campaign comics; producing exhibitions of comics from different cultures; publishing a bulletin; promoting cooperation between groups and individuals active with campaign comics. Leif Packalén [email protected]

6. Communication Strategy - HIV/AIDS - Ghana - During a seminar coordinated by UNAIDS in Accra on Aug. 30, UN agencies, bilaterals, NGOs, University staff and government officials involved in communication for behavior and social change agreed that the Ghana National Oversight Committee on AIDS should outline the process for developing and implementing a communication strategy. Implementation of a consultation on this component of the national strategic plan will be supported by the International Partnership against AIDS in Africa. Contact Cynthia Eledu [email protected]

7. Information Systems for the Gobi Regional Economic Growth Initiative - Mongolia - activities include: Gobi Business News Magasine - free, bilingual and published every 8 wks; Gobi Wave Information Center - an independent NGO reporting, producing and broadcasting over 100 mins of programming a week via longwave radio; Gobi Business News Radio - 15 min local programmes target herders eager to improve their business activities; and Business & Economic Information Training & Production. Contact Layton Croft [email protected]

8. World TB Day 2001 - Global - 'DOTS: TB cure for All' calls for equitable access to TB services for all who have TB, free from discrimination. Main objectives: 1) To mobilize political leaders and decision-makers about the situation of TB sufferers, the implications of TB for human development, and the fact that there is no excuse for inaction in the face of an available, cost-effective cure; 2) To raise awareness that a cure is available and that accessing and completing TB treatment is an important step in realizing one's right to the highest attainable standard of health and well-being. Contact Ian Smith [email protected]

9. Teen Town Meetings - S. Africa - Bush Radio is hosting a series of teen town meetings to create a safe environment for youth to speak out and to each other about sexuality, safe sex, informed choices, HIV & AIDS. These are a lead up to their World AIDS Day, 1 Dec. 2000, HIV-HOP education and awareness concert sponsored by Voice of America (VOA). The next (and last) meeting, 24 Nov., will focus on people living with HIV/AIDS, treatments available and next steps. All meetings are broadcast live on Bush Radio 89.5 fm. Contact Michelle Cho [email protected]

10. Call to Action Project of Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation - Global - a programme to prevent Mother-to-Child Transmission of HIV by implementing interventions in the developing world. Funds provide for community mobilization/education, training of health care workers, HIV counseling and testing, antiretrovirals to prevent MTCT, diagnosis of HIV in children, and infant-feeding education. They support 18 sites in S. Africa, Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, Cameroon and Thailand. APPLICATIONS are being accepted to support new initiatives. Contact Chuck Hoblitzelle [email protected]

11. "Saving Lives: Skilled Attendance at Childbirth" - Burkina Faso, Mozambique, Nigeria, Senegal, Uganda, Bangladesh, Nepal, Botswana, Malaysia, Tunisia & Sri Lanka - Senior government officials and representatives from the UN and NGOs met 13-15 Nov. at a conference where national strategies were to be devised to reduce the number of deaths in pregnancy and childbirth. Sponsored by the Tunisian Ministry of Health and convened by the Safe Motherhood Inter-Agency Group (IAG). Website. Contact [email protected]

12. Canal 6 de Julio - Mexico - an independent video association producing documentaries. Issues include: human rights in Mexico, ethnic minorities, local and federal elections, neoliberalism in Mexico, the Chiapas state issue, guerrilla groups, civil rights movements, and historical essays. Website. Contact [email protected]

WEB SITES

13. Chapter 2 Network: Advocacy for Change has a new Advocacy Poster.

14. Women of Uganda Network (WOUGNET) - profiles women's organisations and women-related projects and activities in areas including health, agriculture, business, education, and women in parliament.

15. The Information for Development Program (infoDev) - a global grant programme to promote projects on the use of information and communication technologies (ICTs) for economic and social development, with an emphasis on the needs of the poor in developing countries.

E-FORUMS

16. "MediaReality-L" - on The Appropriation of Traditional & New Media for Development. Experiences and information about projects, methodologies, theories, and research on the appropriation of local (traditional, folk and popular) and new media (ICTs) for development. Duration: Nov. 27 - Dec. 16. Contact [email protected]

17. TASKNET - development issues in South Asia. Themes are: Access, Content development, Technology, and Empowerment. Subscribe by emailing:
[email protected] for Access.
[email protected] for Content.
[email protected] for Technology.
[email protected] for Empowerment.
Duration: until 4 Dec.

MATERIALS

18. Call for Papers - "Promotion & Education" is seeking papers for Vol. VIII/2 (2001) for all 3 sections: Advancing Knowledge, Advocacy, and Networking. This is an official publication of the International Union for Health Promotion & Education (IUHPE). Authoritative peer-reviewed articles and practical information for a global audience. See Website. Deadline: 15 Jan. 2001. Contact Catherine Jones [email protected]

CONSULTANTS
Listings.
Contact Carey Hooge [email protected] to be listed on The C. I. site.

VACANCIES

Project Director - Project HOPE - Uzbekistan

Contact [email protected] to place a Vacancy on The C. I. site.

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