The Drum Beat 15 - Communication and Change News and Issues
PROGRAMMES
1. Community Radio - Brazil - Citizens of the favelas, or shantytowns, of Belo Horizonte are taking part in a community of information, activism and support amid economic uncertainty due to the devaluation of Brazil's currency. Radio Favela, an unlicensed FM operator that began in the 70's to provide youth alternatives to drug trafficking, has won awards from the UN for its efforts. As a regular feature, an announcer reads the local newspaper to a community with a 25% literacy rate. Website. Contact [email protected]
2. Cartoons for Children's Rights - Global - is a broadcast communication initiative organised by Unicef, involving a consortium of over 70 animation studios in 31 countries. Each article in the Convention on the Rights of the Child is illustrated in a 30 second animated public service spot. 1st tape of 29 spots is being shown by 2,200 Broadcasters in 160 countries. 2nd tape launch - June 1999. Contact George McBean [email protected]
3. Radio Network - Philippines - local network is being established in remote upland forestland of central Mindanao in the Philippines. At the headwater of the Pulangi River, the community has no electricity, roads or other means of communication with other communities; hydro or solar panel power is planned for the receivers/transmitters. Coordinator of this project, who will produce a documentary film on the process, is seeking technical advice and expertise. Contact Anthony Collins [email protected]
4. Infoshare Center - Moldova - Association antiHIV is opening an Infoshare Center on medical issues and the prevention of disease. It will include: specialised database on medical, education and preventative aspects of activities; specialised library; educational materials; and an informational network. Contact David Ruslan antihiv@micmd
5. OneWorld International Media Awards - Global - an annual event recognising excellence in the communication of human rights and sustainable development. Categories: TV documentary; ICRC Dignity in Conflict - stories about people's efforts to defend human dignity in war; WHO Health 21 - documentaries, films and PSAs on environmental health; World Bank Global Village - innovative coverage of sustainable development; and New Media. Entries close 26 Mar. 1999. Contact Mark Lynas [email protected]
6. "Sex on TV" - USA - This study by the Kaiser Family Foundation analyzes the amount, nature and potential impact of sexual messages on TV today. KFF website. Contact Marla Bolotsky [email protected]
7. Gold Star Quality Programme - Egypt - A major public sector family planning quality improvement programme, Gold Star stimulates supply of quality health care services through better training and supervision of health care providers and stimulates demand by promoting these higher quality services to the public through multimedia communication campaigns, television and radio spots and community events. Contact Jose Rimon [email protected]
8. Environmental Education Media Project (EEMP) - South East & East Asia - Launched in 1997 under the name "Environmental Education Television Project for China (EETPC)", the non-profit EEMP produces and distributes environmental education materials to Asian countries. EEMP aims to raise the level of public awareness and appreciation of global and local environmental issues and sustainable resource use.
EEMP website. Contact John D. Liu [email protected]
9. Jonathan Mann Award - Global - individual or organization that has demonstrated leadership, courage, commitment, and creativity in promoting and enhancing the links between human rights and health. Co-sponsers: Association Francois-Xavier Bagnoud, Doctors of the World, Global Health Council, and Human Rights Watch. Nominations deadline - 1 Apr. 1999. Contact Mike Feldstein [email protected]
WEB SITES
10. "DevMedia" is an exchange of information and news about using communication tools to promote development and democracy. Links include: Development Communication Organizations, Radio Links, Video & Film Links, Grassroots Media Producer Groups and Collectives, Women Working with Media for Development & Democracy, and Telecommunications for Rural Development. Click here for DevMedia website.
11. The Panos Institute - Dakar Antenna's "Media for a Democratic West Africa" site includes: information on media and development situations, current radio programmes, an index of Panos Paris publications, discussion forums, a guide to media sites for Africa, and the bulletin for radio pluralism in West-Africa: 'Radio-Action'. Click here for site.
12. Benton Foundation's newly designed "Connect For Kids" (formerly Kids Campaign) is a resource of information for adults who want to create better communities for kids. Through a library, email newsletter and discussion forum, this award-winning project provides tools to help people become more active citizens on behalf of kids. Click here for Connect For Kids site.
FEATURED on THE COMMUNICATION INITIATIVE WEB SITE http://www.comminit.com/
13. Links to The Communication Initiative Partner Organisations [see list above] can be found in the Right Navigation Bar. Click on their titles to view the pages.
14. "News Beat" - articles from current media coverage of communication, development and change trends, programmes and policies. Examples include:
- All Aboard the AIDS Train - South Africa
"South African officials are stepping aboard an AIDS train to raise awareness about the soaring number of HIV infections..." - Increase in Media Licenses - Kenya
"The Nation Media Group has received 3 more broadcast licenses for FM radio to cover..."
15. Links - this section is no longer available.
GATHERINGS
16. Call for Papers - for the 3rd African Population Conference in Johannesburg, South Africa, Dec. 6-10, 1999. This will be a forum for discussions on challenges facing the African Population in the 21st century and the role of scientists, researchers, and policy makers. 1st draft of papers on "Adolescent Sexuality: IEC Needs and Strategies" due by 31 Mar. 1999. Contact Dr. Aloys Illinigumugabo [email protected]
17. Delegates from 46 Sub-Saharan countries and Azerbaijan, Guyana, El Salvador and Vietnam took part in the Review of the Bamako Initiative, Mar. 8-12, 1999. In her opening statement, Carol Bellamy, Executive Director of Unicef said the Initiative has helped prove that "the key to accessible and affordable health care for all lies in the informed involvement of local communities." Review identified constraints, strengths, and weaknesses, and assessed the impact of the Initiative on availability and accessibility of essential drugs at the local level. Contact Robert Lussier [email protected]
MATERIALS
18. "Hell on Earth" by Mario Scheffer and Marcelo Marthe, was a research project on Brazilian prison conditions. Abridged version was printed in Feb. 1998 in "Folha de Sao Paulo" and a response from the federal AIDS/STD coordinator followed, promising to improve the situation. It was later announced that the worst of the prisons was being closed and prisoners would be moved to 15 new prisons. Final report is in the collection "AIDS and Men: Taking Risks or Taking Responsibility?" publ. by Panos / Zed in Dec. 1998. See 'Media Briefings' @ Panis site. Contact Martin Foreman [email protected]
19. Call for Papers - The Journal of Health Communication is publishing a supplement on Communication and HIV/AIDS in Spring, 2000, with launch at the global conference in Durban, South Africa. Articles on communications in HIV/AIDS focusing on context based strategies such as interpersonal communications, community approach, spirituality/ religion, drug use populations, gender, ethical issues, media strategies, etc. Contact Collins O. Airhihenbuwa [email protected].
PEOPLE
20. OneWorld, promoting human rights and sustainable development through the Internet, seeks an International Coordinator (UK work permit). Position includes: strategy & policy development; staff coordination & communication; planning & implementation of projects. Closing date: 17 Mar. 1999. Contact Andrew Weston [email protected]
21. Health Unlimited, a UK NGO working with people affected by conflict to develop community-based health services, is seeking a Project Manager for its Well Women Media Project (using radio to address issues) in Kigali, Rwanda. Position includes: project implementation; staff management; accounting; reporting. Closing date: 21 Mar. 1999. Contact Madeleine Hammond [email protected]
22. Hager Sharp, a Washington DC-based PR firm is seeking a Partnership Director in its social marketing practice. Communications executive with strong development skills needed. Position includes writing; placement of articles & PSAs in partner publications; travel. Contact Garry Curtis [email protected]
23. Mitchell Warren is the new Director for International Affairs at the Female Health Company. He will be mobilising IEC programmes which promote safer sex and expanding public sector and social marketing programmes to expand access to and use of the female condom. Contact [email protected]
Thanks to all for their involvement and support. Please send items for The Drum Beat to the Editor - Deborah Heimann [email protected]