Christina Meetoo

For those who might be interested, there's a public lecture on 'Mapping the new field of Communication for Development and Social Change' this afternoon (Wednesday 14th June) at 4.30 p.m at UOM in Lecture Theatre 2.

The talk will be delivered by Prof Jan Servaes from the School of Journalism and Communication of University of Queensland, Australia. The outline of the talk reads as follows:

<<
All those involved in the analysis and application of Communication for Development and Social Change - or what can broadly be termed “development communication” - would probably agree that in essence communication for social change is the sharing of knowledge aimed at reaching a consensus for action that takes into account the interests, needs and capacities of all concerned. It is thus a social process which has as its ultimate objective sustainable change at distinct levels of society. Communication media are important tools in achieving this process but their use is not an aim in itself—interpersonal communication too must play a fundamental role.

The basic consensus on development communication has been interpreted and applied in different ways throughout the past century. Both at theory and research levels, as well as at the levels of policy and planning-making and implementation, divergent perspectives are on offer.

In this presentation we attempt
(a) to summarize the past of Communication for Development and Social Change;
(b) to identify the roadmap for the future of Communication for Development and Social Change ;
(c) to identify different communication strategies for sustainable development; and
(d) to address the key purposes, functions and competencies needed to steer communication for social change.
>>

More on the talk later...