The Drum Beat - 32 - Communication and Change News and Issues
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Director: Warren Feek
mailto:wfeek@coastnet.com
http://www.comminit.com
PROGRAMMES
1. Popular Communication Network in the Brazilian Amazonian Forest -
youth from 17 small riverside settlements, produce community newspa-
pers, radio programmes and experimental videos to exchange informa-
tion between riverside people. The NGO Projeto Saude e Alegria
(Health and Joy Project <psa@tap.com.br>) undertakes training in how
to write news, lay out newspapers, report for radio and TV, use cam-
eras and edit videos. Initially supported by UNICEF office in Amazo-
nia, they are now seeking social and financial sustainability. After
6 months the newspapers produced by the young people are 25% sup-
ported by local publicity. The local government has supported this
strategy seeking to address one of the worst problems in Amazonia -
regional migration to the cities.
Contact Manuel Manrique
mailto:mmanrique@unicef.org.br
2. Participatory Communication for Democracy and Sustainable Develop-
ment Project (PCDSD) - Kenya - trains NGOs/CBOs on how to use the
power of audiovisual equipment to "tell their own story" from their
own perspective. Every year, 30 people drawn from rural based NGOs
and CBOs are given practical training in how to record local activi-
ties, events, ideas and aspirations using video camera and tape re-
corders. The training starts by establishing a contextual framework,
entailing discussion of basic elements of Communication Theory. Using
practical examples and local knowledge, participants are assisted to
develop an analysis of the relationship between communication and
sustainable development. This work is part of the ELCI [Environment
Liaison Center International ELCI], a global network working on envi-
ronment and development issues.
Contact Edward Alitsi
mailto:ealitsi@iconnect.co.ke
3. "I am a Child but I have my Rights too!" - West African Radio Cam-
paign - Sensitise first, then apply are the objectives of the cam-
paign. Twenty stories, both entertaining and educative, sensitise the
population on the rights of girls education, on gender equity, inte-
gration of handicapped children, the right to rest and recreation,
Freedom of expression, Freedom of Association, the right against vio-
lence, forced marriage, excision and the right to a family, and to
grow up healthy in the best possible environment. A baseline study
undertaken in Burkina Faso before the launching of the radio campaign
reveals that only 17% of children have been informed on the Rights of
the Child and that less than 25% can explain what a right means.
Children are the main actors in the project, in collaboration with
professional comedians. In the stories, animal characters, each in
his own fashion, defend the rights of the child and interact with
them. Produced by PLAN International in collaboration with West Afri-
can governments.
Contact Mimi Brazeau
mailto:brazeaum@plan.geis.com
4. Children's Express Worldwide News Network - an international news
service reported and edited by children aged 8 to 18 for adult print,
broadcast, and online media. CE's mission is to give children a sig-
nificant voice in the world. Principles: children have a unique and
valuable perspective on social and political issues - including edu-
cation, violence, crime, ecology, and diversity. This perspective is
often ignored or overlooked during policy debates and in the formula-
tion of development projects. Children's Express strives to give kids
a voice in mainstream media through news reports, commentaries and
feature stories that appear in newspapers and on radio and televi-
sion.
Contact Bob Walker
mailto:bwalker@cenews.org
Children's Express web site:
http://www.cenews.org
5. "First Draft" - a free consulting service providing technical as-
sistance to the entertainment industry's creative community [writers,
producers, directors and development executives] when crafting por-
trayals of drug, alcohol and tobacco use, addiction and consequences.
The EIC, founded in 1983, also addresses other issues such as gun
violence, HIV/AIDS and other sexually transmitted diseases, seat belt
safety and the promotion of healthy lifestyles especially among
youth. Contact:
mailto:eicwest@eiconline.org
6. New Millennium Computer Literacy Project - Ghana - a computer lit-
eracy program taking place in the Upper West Region of Ghana at the
Wa Senior Secondary School (WaSec) which serves as an educational
training center for Wa and surrounding areas. The New Millennium Com-
puter Literacy Project provides WaSec students, professional teachers
and the wider community with computer training and access. The train-
ing focuses on building basic computer literacy skills and forming a
solid foundation, from which the students can further their computer
skills. A "Training of Trainers" programme also trains Ghanaians in
basic computer literacy instruction - for passing on acquired knowl-
edge. The New Millennium Computer Literacy Project is a partnership
between Wa Senior Secondary School, Ghana Education Service, Upper
West Commerce Association, Peace Corps, Wake Forest University, Fed-
eral Express, and countless individuals.
Contact Bryan Luce
mailto:uwca@ighmail.com
http://www.wfu.edu/~luceb
7. Promoting broadcasting diversity - the Media Institute of Southern
Africa (MISA) - This pilot advocacy campaign tackles three main pol-
icy areas: Public broadcasting; Independent regulation; and Community
broadcasting. Ending mid-2000 and being conducted in two countries,
Zambia and Namibia, the project is comprised of: Advocacy training;
Coalition formation and sustainability; Advocacy strategy develop-
ment; Direct lobbying; and Media advocacy. It will provide co-
operating organisations and individuals with skills and continued
guidance in political analysis, power mapping and influence tactics.
This includes strategies to provide background materials on both pol-
icy issues and proposals, conducting research, monitoring of legisla-
tion and the provision of information, analysis and policy alterna-
tives. After this MISA will produce an advocacy-training manual,
which after testing will be utilised by MISA national chapters and a
number of partner organisations.
Contact John Barker
mailto:johnb@misa.org.na
WEB SITES
8. Women, Communications and Media Forum - A global forum was opened
on November 8: "This "Virtual Working Group", sponsored by WomenWatch
and facilitated by Women Action 2000, will be discussing emerging is-
sues in the fields of communications and media - with a special focus
on information and communication technologies (ICTs) -- as they im-
pact women and women's lives."
http://sdnhq.undp.org/ww/women-media/
9. Citizen Base - a forum for social entrepreneurs and civil society
activists to exchange strategies which will help them sustain their
activities and their organization. It is a place to go for informa-
tion, ideas, and dialogue with practitioners from around the globe on
creative strategies for mobilizing resources locally, rather than
having to live from one grant to the next or to be dependent on in-
ternational assistance. The Citizen Base Initiative is a program of
Ashoka: Innovators for the Public.
http://www.changemakers.net/resources/cbi.cfm
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Visit The Communication Initiative web site - in support of your work
- Programme Descriptions, Impact Data, Change Theories, Planning Mod-
els, Consultants listings, Interviews, Information Materials, Strate-
gic Thinking Ideas, Events Calendar, University Courses, etc.:
http://www.comminit.com
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MATERIALS
10. 'Theatre Matters: Performance & Culture on the World Stage', Edi-
tors Richard Boon and Jane Plastow, Cambridge University Press -
Looks at places and projects where theatre has made a real social or
political impact, and questions arising there from. Includes chapters
on Nigeria, South Africa, Eritrea, Caribbean, Canada (Native Ameri-
can), Jamaica, India, Brazil and Argentina.
Contact Jane Plastow
mailto:plastow@english.novell.leeds.ac.uk
11. Rock The Vote - has produced a new empowerment guide for youth
entitled "Use Your Power: Rock the Vote Every Day." It is a step-by-
step guide to using your own abilities to initiate change in your
community. To order,
mailto:field@rockthevote.org
GATHERINGS
12. 'Covering Africa from your desktop' - 6-8 December 1999 - Maas-
tricht, The Netherlands - organised by The European Journalism Cen-
tre. This Internet workshop has been tailor-made for journalists and
information officers from NGOs and lobby groups dealing with African
issues. The aim of the workshop is to show participants how to use
the Internet as a powerful journalistic and research tool on African
affairs. The full programme for the event is available on the EJC
website:
http://www.ejc.nl/cp/courses.html?281
Contact Roisin Scullion
mailto:scullion@ejc.nl
13. Entertainment-Education 2000 E-E 2000 - September 17 - 23, 2000,
Papendal, The Netherlands - a five-day, interactive programme with
plenary sessions, video presentations, expert panels and 'real life'
workshops. This international E-E 2000 Event is organized for profes-
sionals in the field of communication and media with experience and
interest in the entertainment-education strategy: practitioners, re-
searchers, policy-makers, scientists, media professionals and crea-
tives.
Contact Martine Bouman
mailto:enter.educate@wxs.nl
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Thanks to all for their involvement and support. Please send items
for The Drum Beat to:
The Editor
Deborah Heimann
mailto:deborah@vermontel.net
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