Ensuring Vulnerable People Have Information and Communication Channels: Communication for Empowerment

This article is about a pilot audit process to identify gaps in a kind of media support called communication for empowerment, which involves media participation opportunities for civil society, including marginalised and vulnerable groups.  As stated here, a growing body of evidence suggesting that, "to achieve the Millennium Development Goals, (MDGs) everyone must participate." Communication for empowerment "is an approach through which everyone is able to make informed decisions about their lives and to have channels for being vocal in this process. Information and communication audits will assist in identifying gaps: areas needing improvement. Improving these options and opportunities will highly increase the opportunities for achieving the MDGs."

To facilitate this effort, a reference has been published called Communication for Empowerment: Developing Media Strategies in Support of Vulnerable Groups, a Practical Guidance Note.

According to the article, "a pilot process has been initiated to test the assessment tool. Five countries have been identified to take part in this process based on demonstrated national commitment to the overall communication for empowerment approach." It is called "Information and Communication Audit process" and has the objectives of identifying information and communication needs of vulnerable groups; identifying the degree to which these needs are met; and identifying how these needs are met. It is being carried out by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Oslo Governance Centre; Communication for Social Change Consortium (CFSC); and national UNDP offices, as drivers of national processes.

The pilot is planned for five countries - three African and two Asian - in which an overall audit methodology will be operationalised, adapted, and revised; a generic strategic tool will also be prepared. Each country will involve a consortium of national stakeholders - including leaders and marginalised people - in compiling data and producing a national report with a subsequent group of proposals and fundraising for meeting the challenges identified by the process. It is expected that each country will produce a national report, develop pilot projects, and continue to utilise the national stakeholder group to facilitate and monitor the process. Globally, the documentation of the pilot is expected to result in a tool to advance national planning processes on information and communication.