The Drum Beat 32 - Communication and Change News and Issues

PROGRAMMES

1. Popular Communication Network in the Brazilian Amazonian Forest - youth from 17 small riverside settlements, produce community newspapers, radio programmes and experimental videos to exchange information between riverside people. The NGO Projeto Saúde e Alegria (Health and Joy Project [email protected]) undertakes training in how to write news, lay out newspapers, report for radio and TV, use cameras and edit videos. Initially supported by UNICEF office in Amazonia, they are now seeking social and financial sustainability. After 6 months the newspapers produced by the young people are 25% supported 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 [email protected]

2. Participatory Communication for Democracy and Sustainable Development 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 activities, events, ideas and aspirations using video camera and tape recorders. 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 environment and development issues. Contact Edward Alitsi [email protected]

3. "I am a Child but I have my Rights too!" - West African Radio Campaign - Sensitise first, then apply are the objectives of the campaign. Twenty stories, both entertaining and educative, sensitise the population on the rights of girls education, on gender equity, integration of handicapped children, the right to rest and recreation, Freedom of expression, Freedom of Association, the right against violence, 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 African governments. Contact Mimi Brazeau [email protected]

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 significant voice in the world. Principles: children have a unique and valuable perspective on social and political issues - including education, violence, crime, ecology, and diversity. This perspective is often ignored or overlooked during policy debates and in the formulation 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 television. Children's Express web site - click here. Contact Bob Walker [email protected] 

5. "First Draft" - a free consulting service providing technical assistance to the entertainment industry's creative community [writers, producers, directors and development executives] when crafting portrayals 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 [email protected]

6. New Millennium Computer Literacy Project - Ghana - a computer literacy 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 Computer Literacy Project provides WaSec students, professional teachers and the wider community with computer training and access. The training 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 knowledge. 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, Federal Express, and countless individuals. Click here for website. Contact Bryan Luce [email protected]

7. Promoting broadcasting diversity - the Media Institute of Southern Africa (MISA) - This pilot advocacy campaign tackles three main policy 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 development; 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 policy issues and proposals, conducting research, monitoring of legislation and the provision of information, analysis and policy alternatives. 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 [email protected]

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 issues in the fields of communications and media - with a special focus on information and communication technologies (ICTs) -- as they impact women and women's lives."

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 information, 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 international assistance. The Citizen Base Initiative is a program of Ashoka: Innovators for the Public.

MATERIALS

10. 'Theatre Matters: Performance & Culture on the World Stage', Editors 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 American), Jamaica, India, Brazil and Argentina. Contact Victoria Cooper [email protected] 

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, send an email to [email protected] 

GATHERINGS

12. 'Covering Africa from your desktop' - 6-8 December 1999 - Maastricht, The Netherlands - organised by The European Journalism Centre. 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: Contact Roisin Scullion [email protected]

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 professionals in the field of communication and media with experience and interest in the entertainment-education strategy: practitioners, researchers, policy-makers, scientists, media professionals and creatives. Contact Martine Bouman [email protected]

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