RFI: Information on YOUR Communication Initiatives
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In order to continue building the information base in support of ef-
fective communication, change and development initiatives we are keen
to receive information on your experiences, ideas and analysis.
Through the web site, The Drum Beat and The Media Beat a real-time
database and linkage system is emerging that many organisations are
using to support their communication planning, review and evaluation;
to refresh and stimulate ongoing programmes. The best source of in-
formation for that process is the experience of others engaged in
communication and development work - on-the-ground and in policy and
funding roles. We want to keep our database, for your use, up-to-
date, fresh and relevant. If you can take some time to send descrip-
tions and analysis of your initiatives that would be of immense bene-
fit to everyone's efforts to improve the effectiveness and impact of
communication on development issues.
Some specific requests/suggestions for information and ideas from The
Partner organisations and other groups are highlighted below. If you
can put aside 30 minutes to send information describing your pro-
grammes, policy initiatives, gatherings and the learning from them on
the issues relevant to you and your organisation that would be tre-
mendous. We would like to share your experience and insight with the
4,500 people who receive and contribute to the Drum Beat magazine and
the substantial number of users of The Communication Initiative's web
site.
Many thanks for your help.
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The communication fields of interest include: radio, television, new
technologies, print, advertising, interpersonal, counselling, commu-
nity level communication, decision making and negotiation, entertain-
ment, news media, social marketing, advocacy, media relations, cul-
ture, live drama, theatre, music and debates.
There is an interest in: on-the-ground programmes, policy develop-
ments, meetings, training events, research and evaluation exercises,
materials [audio visual and written] and your analysis, observations
and insights.
The areas for which we have received requests for information in-
clude:
ADVOCACY - high profile action on a particular public issue - e.g.
tobacco, sexual abuse, land rights, debt relief, women's rights;
ARMED CONFLICT - dealing with serious, violent situations during and
after the "crisis" - Kosovo, Burundi, The Congo, Colombia, Bosnia,
Northern Ireland, etc.;
CHILD RIGHTS - seeking to advance adherence to the Convention on the
Rights of The Child;
COMMUNICATION CAPACITY - in your setting, the quantity and quality of
people with communication, change and development skills, knowledge
and experience and your assessment of that capacity;
COMMUNITY COMMUNICATION - supporting communities to "improve" commu-
nication channels and processes within the community;
DIALOGUE AND DEBATE - initiatives that have, as part of their central
focus, the promotion of public dialogue and debate on the issues in
question;
DIET AND PHYSICAL EXERCISE - promoting a healthy physical lifestyle -
tobacco, cardiovascular issues, alchohol, diabetes, substance abuse,
etc.;
DISASTER PREPAREDNESS AND DISASTER RELIEF - preparing for and coping
with disasters - earthquakes, floods, famines, etc.;
ENTERTAINMENT MEDIA - partnerships with entertainment organisations -
radio, television, theatre, music, film, traditional, acting troupes,
etc.;
EVALUATION AND RESEARCH - examples of evaluation and research related
to communication, change and development;
GIRLS AND EDUCATION - seeking to increase the numbers of girls in
school and the quality and opportunity for girls in education;
GENDER - communication initiatives that demonstrate sensitivity to
gender differences without reinforcing gender stereotypes;
HIV/AIDS AND STIGMA - decreasing discrimination and prejudice against
people and communities with HIV/AIDS;
HIV/AIDS MESSAGES - the development and "marketing" of new messages
that reflect contemporary understandings of the epidemic;
HEALTH-CARE PROVIDER - CLIENT INTERACTION - promoting and supporting
better relationships between the medical/health community and those
who come to them for help;
HORIZONTAL COMMUNICATION - examples of support to advance "natural"
communication patterns which are promoting a locally developed re-
sponse to a particular issue;
LINKAGES AND PARTNERSHIPS BETWEEN COMMUNICATION DISCIPLINES - obser-
vations for your setting on the extent to which people and organisa-
tions associated with different communication, change and development
disciplines [e.g. social marketing, behaviour change communication,
media advocacy] dialogue, work together and collaborate;
MALARIA - seeking to reduce the incidence of Malaria;
MOTHER-TO-CHILD TRANSMISSION of HIV/AIDS - handling the complex isues
related to disclosure, feeding options, stigma and isolation, family
relationships, advocacy, etc.;
NEWS MEDIA - partnerships with the News Media;
NEW TECHNOLOGIES - creative use of the new technologies [e-mail,
internet, mobile and cellular phones, etc] particularly in low income
countries and communities;
PROPER USE OF MEDICATION - encouraging compliance and discouraging
abuse of medications;
POLIO - seeking to reduce the incidence of Polio;
SIGNALLING - use of simple "signals" that spread rapidly to promote
action and debate on an issue - e.g. the banging of pots and pans
outside houses when domestic violence is suspected; developed in a
community, noted and now a feature of Soul City on television
TUBERCULOSIS - seeking to reduce the incidence of Tuberculosis.
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Suggested format for sending information - please feel free to type
in the spaces below and send back to: <wfeek@coastnet.com> (don't
just hit the reply/respond button). Do not feel restricted to one
contribution - the more the better!
TITLE: [the name of the programme, event, campaign, initiative, mate-
rial, etc.]
DESCRIPTION: [describing the main elements of this initiative. If you
wish, please attach any relevant files and identify web site URLs
with further information and provide publishing details for any mate-
rials described].
OBSERVATIONS: [some of the main learnings from the action and work
you described - what worked and did not work - what should other peo-
ple and organisations do and not do as a result of this experience].
CONTACTS: give e-mail addresses for the main contact people.
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Many, many thanks
Warren Feek
Director - The Communication Initiative
Tel: +1-250-658-6372
Fax: +1-250-658-1728
mailto:wfeek@coastnet.com
http://www.comminit.com
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