The Drum Beat 8 - Communication and Change News and Issues

PROGRAMMES

1. Debt Cancellation Campaign - Zambia - Churches are continuing their communication campaign for writing-off Zambia's external debt. A coalition of churches is steering the campaign with an emphasis on a theological/moral case for debt cancellation. Zambia owes US$ 7.1 billion to donor countries and international financial institutions - US$ 750 for each individual in Zambia. More government money is spent on debt servicing than education and health combined. 70% of the population lives below the poverty line. The principle of co-responsibility is an essential element of the campaign. Contact Fackson Banda ccz@zamnet.zm

2. TV Maxambomba - Brazil - is a programme with CECIP [Centre for the Creation of Popular Image] based on the principle that a democratic society results from conscious and participant communities. Programme elements include: public screenings of videos on social issues followed by community debates; 'Reporteres de Barrio' - video production training for youth; 'Puxanda Conversa' - recording and presenting new samba composers and musicians; and 'Botando a Mao na Midia' [Hands on the Media] - working with students to encourage critical insight into communication possibilities. CECIP website. Contact Claudius Ceccon cecip@ax.apc.org

3. Participatory Communication - UNICEF is continuing to train facilitators for the 'Workshop on Strengthening Participatory Attitudes in Communication and Development", most recently in Amman, Jordan. Workshop components include: Principles of Participation; Adult Learning; Problem Solving; Designing and Institutionalising Participatory Processes; and Applying Principles of Participation with the Mass Media. Contact Waithira Gikonyo wgikonyo@unicef.org

4. Radio Station in a Suit Case - A complete radio station is available from Wantok Enterprises Ltd in Canada. It includes: studio console; power distribution board; consol microphone; six channel audio mixer; CD and cassette players; edit cord and plug; transmitter; and other features. Contact wantok@mb.sympatico.ca

5. Unidad de Radio - Colombia - is a programme of the Ministerio de Cultura seeking to support the article in the country's constitution which provides a guarantee to "freely express and defuse thought and opinions...and to establish means of mass communication." The programme: promotes and participates in public debate on legislation relating to radio; assists the development of radio stations; and trains radio managers. Contact Jeanine El'Gazi jelgazi@mincultura.gov.co 
6. Health Futures - The World Health Organization is planning Health Futures, a 100,000 square foot exhibition at the World Exposition EXPO 2000 (Hannover, Germany, 1 June to 31 Oct. 2000). The exhibition will show how trends relating to urbanization, youth health, ageing, and technology for health could be used as driving forces for the promotion of better health. Foundations, NGOs, research institutions, academia and businesses are invited to present their approach(es). Contact: Monika Gehner Gehnerm@who.ch.

7. Community Radio - Malawi - the Media Women's Association's radio station - Dzimwe Community Radio Station - is on air. The coordinator is Ms. Patricia Chipungu-Thodi fax 265 671257/353 e-mail address dgmbc@malawi.net

8. Third World Network Features offers news and features on issues of direct relevance to the South. Each week, dispatches are sent via email. Service is expanding to include issues from India. Contact Frederick Noronha oibs@bom2.vsnl.net.in

FEATURED on THE COMMUNICATION INITIATIVE WEB SITE http://www.comminit.com

9. Interview - with Shivaji Bhattacharya and Kunal Sinha of Thompson Social Communication, a specialist unit of the top-billing advertising agency in India. The interview provides insight into the ad agency's approach to social communication. Click here.

10. For Review - The Strategy and Activities of EcoNews' Community Media Programme in East Africa. Lynne Muthoni Wanyeki outlines the strategic approach and main activities of EcoNews' Community Media programme.
 

11. Partnerships - Strategic ideas on ways to develop mutually beneficial partnerships that are not dependent on paying for services or air time.


 

• Communication organisations - overall perspective
   
• Community Media
   
• Entertainment Companies and Organisations
   
• Popular Goods and Services Companies and Organisations
   
• News Media Organisations
   

12. The Communication Initiative web site - we are redesigning the home page so it is quicker and easier to access.

WEB SITES

13. The Benton Foundation's "Best Practices Toolkit" is a collection of resources aiming to help nongovernmental organisations use information technology more effectively. Topics include: Planning, implementation & evaluation; Organizing & advocacy tools; Publicizing your efforts; and Technology funding for nonprofits. Website. Contact Jillaine Smith jillaine@benton.org

14. On the OneWorld site is an article by the Editor, Mark Lynas, on Internet use in the South. It includes links to other relevant articles and sites. Click here.

15. The participant recommendations from the 26 & 27 Oct., 1998 conference on "Partnerships and Participation in Telecommunications for Rural Development", hosted by The Don Snowden Program for Development Communication are now available.
Conference website.

16. The Entertainment Industries Council, Inc. provides a social and health issues resource web site for writers, producers and directors of television shows and feature films. The site includes resource links to experts on issues such as HIV/AIDS, drug abuse and addiction, tobacco control, traffic safety and drunk driving. EIC activities also include the annual PRISM awards. Site address is EIC website. Contact Brian Dyak BDyak@aol.com

17. The National Network of The Libraries of Medicine includes research reviews by leading American communication academics [Bowes, Kerr, Witte, Marshall, Haselkorn, Rogers] on themes such as "Technical Communication: Perspectives on Planning and Evaluating Information Outreach", "Planning and Evaluating Information Outreach Among Minority Communities"; and "Communication and Community Development for Health Information: Constructs and Models for Evaluation" Website.

18. Voices of Youth was highlighted in Drum Beat 7- The correct web site address is http://www.unicef.org/voy/ Apologies!

GATHERINGS

19. The African Media Partners Network - a network of donors funding media projects in Africa met recently. The network is coordinated by GRET. Contact Florence Minery minery@gret.org

20. The 4th European IUHPE Conference on Effectiveness and Quality of Health Promotion will be held 16-19 May, 1999 in Helsinki and Tallinn. The conference is for all interested in the effectiveness and quality of health promotion. Contact Miia Eronen miia.eronen@health.fi

21. The strategic use of new information and communication technologies to create a consensus and mobilize resources for population and development programmes was the focus of an international seminar in Ankara, Turkey, from 1-4 Dec., sponsored by the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and the Government of Turkey. Contact Silvie Cohen cohen@unfpa.org

MATERIALS

22. A special issue of TIERRAMERICA on Climate Change was distributed both in English and Spanish during the 2-12 Nov. Conference of the Parties (COP4) on the Convention on Climate Change in Buenos Aires. The issue has articles by Michael Zammit Cutajar, Secretary General of the Convention; Maria Julia Alsogaray, Secretary of Environment of Argentina; former President of Costa Rica Jose Figueres; and Maurice Strong, President of the Earth Council, among others. TIERRAMERICA is a platform of communication for Human and Sustainable Development, published in leading Latin American newspapers. Contact: Alfonso Gumucio Click here for Alfonso's website for more information or to contact him.

23. Johns Hopkins University Center for Communication Programs produces a number of publications and products in support of communication, development and change work. For example 'Arab Women Speak Out: Profiles of Self Empowerment [1997]." There is an order form on JUHCCP website. or email Hugh Rigby on hrigby@jhuccp.org

PEOPLE

24. Health Unlimited is seeking consultants for three adolescent reproductive health related projects in Lao PDR. They will: assess information needs in order to produce IEC materials; improve access to radio, listening patterns and programme preferences; identify vulnerable groups of young people; and identify and involve appropriate partners. Consultancies commence Feb. 1999. Contact Madeleine Hammond ae161@dial.pipex.com or fax 0171 582 5900.

 

Many thanks to everyone submitting information and to all who have taken time to send in comments and ideas. Please keep the electronic cards and letters flowing! Best wishes - Warren Feek wfeek@comminit.com on behalf of the partner organisations.