The Drum Beat 51 - Communication and Change News and Issues

PROGRAMMES 

1. The Himalandes Initiative (HI) - South America & South Asia - a broad proposal aimed at promoting cooperation between Andean and Himalayan people and organizations. These regions share similar social and ecological potentials, problems, and challenges. HI brings together programmes and projects which emphasize the potential for scientific, technological, cultural and commercial cooperation. Focus is on the exchange of experiences and resources in order to promote conservation and sustainable development, especially in rural areas. Website. Contact Alejandro Camino [email protected] 

2. Bushmail Network - Central & Southern Africa - e-mail via radio. An e-mail system and radio patches reaches clients in areas where there are no telecommunications or computer facilities. Website. Contact Justice Malanot [email protected] 

3. Loans for Small Businesses - Latin America & USA - ACCION International provides small or "micro" loans and business training to poor women and men to start their own businesses. ACCION aims to expand their operations globally by developing microcredit institutions that are financially self-sustaining. ACCION's network has made $2.2 billion in loans to over 1.6 million people. 98 percent have been paid back. Website. Contact Robin Ratcliffe [email protected] 

4. Reproductive Health in Asia - EC/UNFPA - works to improve the reproductive and sexual health of people living in Bangladesh, Cambodia, Lao PDR, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and Viet Nam. Over 80 local and European partner organizations are implementing over 40 projects together with local and national bodies, the European Commission, and UNFPA. Main focuses are young people and adolescents, quality of care, and involving local NGOs. Website. Contact Caroline Kent [email protected] 

5. Mandate the Future - Global - aims at mobilizing youth in an interactive, global forum. Participants will discuss solutions on issues such as globalization, governance, conflict resolution and disarmament, population, employment, and sustainable development. On 1 Mar 2000, solutions, reactions and suggestions from all over the world will be presented. A global online vote will identify a 10-point priority list to be presented to regional leaders and global decision-makers. Contact Ms. Naju Sharma [email protected] 

6. IPAS - Global - works to improve and empower women's lives through a focus on reproductive health. They concentrate on preventing unsafe abortion, improving treatment of its complications, and reducing its consequences. Ipas also provides information and guidance to decision makers and opinion leaders, informing health policy debates by sharing lessons learned. They manufacture, market and distribute reproductive health technologies, along with technical information and training assistance. Website. Contact Uche Ekenna [email protected] 

7. Genevalink - Global - a web network which receives, selects, organises and promotes innovative concepts and effective projects in the field of social development. Projects may focus on Health Care Access, Urban Quality of Life, the Workplace, Community Development, Education and Training, Racial and Gender Equality, Youth Reinsertion, or Poverty Alleviation. Summaries (300-500 words) are accepted. Website. Contact Nance Upham [email protected] 

IMPACT DATA 

8. Aid Agencies Combat Cholera - Somalia - "Aid agencies are working to control this year's cholera outbreak in parts of Somalia, and to date, far fewer cases have been reported this season than during the same period last year..." Click here. 

STRATEGIES 

9. "The Use of 'Fear Appeals' in Public Health Campaigns and in Patient/Provider Encounters" by Dr. Kim Witte [email protected] Click here. 

TRAINING 

10. "Starting & Managing a Community Radio Station" - a 2 week training course offered by the NSJ Centre to activists of Mozambican and Angolan community radio projects. The course has been held in Maputo, Mozambique, from 7-18 Feb and in Lubango, Angola, from 4-15 Mar 2000. Offered in Portuguese, the course may be repeated and adapted to English or French speaking African countries. Website. Contact Marie-Hélène Bonin [email protected] 

11. 3 Events in the Middle East and North Africa held by the Center for Development Communication. These are targeted to senior officials working in development in the region who need to advocate positions through the media. International Executive Media and Television Workshops will be held in: Casablanca, Morocco 18 - 20 July; Tunis, Tunisia 12 -14 Sept.; and Beirut, Lebanon 26 - 28 Nov. The Beirut workshop is specifically targeted to officials from outside the region, with an interest in networking with media in the region. Contact Moncef M. Bouhafa [email protected] 

WEB SITES 

12. Children & Armed-Conflict Unit Online - contains information on the impact of armed conflict on civilian children. Provides the latest news on conflicts as well as legal documents and reports relating to children and young people. Website. 

13. Development Initiatives - aims to give easy access to a wide range of information and reports on poverty, aid and development. Website. 

14. Feminist International Radio Endeavour (FIRE) site on the Beijing + 5 preparations. Will cover activities related to the Special Session of the U.N. General Assembly BEIJING + 5 in New York, June 1-9, 2000. "Voices Without Brackets" will broadcast live on the site June 4-9; women guest producers from around the world will host programs focusing on the role of media in relation to the 12 critical areas of concern of the Beijing Platform for Action. Website. 

15. MediaChannel.org - dedicated to global media issues, an internet source for analysis and information about the media. Explores areas such as freedom of expression, citizen access to media, trends in media ownership, and the intersection of media and politics. Website. 

EVENTS 

16. MotherCare Behavior Change workshop 5-7 June 2000 will be in Washington, DC, USA. MotherCare/John Snow Inc and CHANGE/AED, in collaboration with the World Health Organization are sponsoring this consultative forum focusing on the behavioral dimensions of maternal health and survival. Contact Jen Masse [email protected] 

17. Youthfirst! Strategic Communication & Advocacy for Health will be 25 Sep - 13 Oct 2000. Participants will explore theory and practice of effective behavior change communication and advocacy and develop a complete communication program with SCOPE, an interactive computer tool. Focus is on HIV/AIDS and high-risk behavior among youth. Contact [email protected] 

18. New York University's "The 2000 Summer Institute on Integrated Marketing Communication for Behavioral Results in Health and Social Development" will be 10-28 July in New York City, USA. Participants will work on the design of an Integrated Marketing Communication plan for a specific behavioral goal in a social development field. Contact Ron Janoff [email protected] 

19. The UK Government will publish a White Paper on International Development this fall on changes resulting from globalisation and opportunities and challenges this presents for faster progress in reducing poverty and promoting sustainable development in the poorest countries. Participate in a 6 week global online consultation exploring how Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) and Knowledge should be incorporated into this paper. Seeking participation from developing countries. Website. 

20. Improving Access to Essential Medicines in East Africa will be held 15 - 16 June 2000 in Nairobi, Kenya by Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) & Health Action International (HAI). Website. Contact [email protected] 

MATERIALS 

21. "A Day Like Any Other Day" - a 22 min. video from MediaHouse. Women in Egypt tell of how they give birth to children while they cook or do other work. After the child is born they put it on the ground and go back to the field again. 1 woman who has 12 kids says she lost 5, without remembering exactly how and when. "It just happens. They are babies, they die..." The women tell their own stories, creating a video-document which suggests that having so many children is not wise, and that visiting a doctor may be important. In Arabic. Also with English subtitles. Contact Jos Strengholt [email protected] 

22. Developing Countries Farm Radio Network Scripts available to broadcasters. Distributed in print format by mail in English, French or Spanish to active members. Membership free to broadcasters in the South. This month's theme: agroforestry. Scripts give examples of how to successfully grow trees with crops and livestock. Network members receive newsletter with additional resources and information. Website. Contact [email protected] 

VACANCIES 

23. Visit here for details on new vacancies. 

Thanks to all for their involvement and support. Please send items for The Drum Beat to the Editor - Deborah Heimann [email protected]