Theory and practice
This page expands on our Community-centred Media approach page. Here you can find some additional tools and tips for how we put Communication for Development (C4D) into practice. You will also find links to external publications about our theory and practice.
What is Communication for Development (C4D)?
Communication is integral for the development of people and their societies. 'Communication for development' (C4D) is a broad term that has sometimes been associated with the dissemination of centralised messages to promote behaviour change. Increasingly, people recognise development is more effective when done with communities rather than to communities. In this context Communication for Development is a vital tool for dialogue, amplifying local voices so that the people most affected by change are key participants in the change process. (World Bank, 2007)
When local communities are central to planning media strategy, and to designing, creating, and evaluating media content, remarkable changes can occur. We call this 'community-centred media'.
Practicing a community-centred approach
In our approach to designing, implementing and evaluating projects, we start with listening to the community. This informs our practice and keeps our theory grounded in reality.
We initiate projects at the invitation of a local champion, and plan a projects with local partners and community members, by listening to community hopes and concerns and identifying local strengths and resources.
As we train people to deploy the "5 Tasks of Radio", we constantly ask the questions, "Can the community do this?", "How will you use this to amplify community voices?"
We prioritise equipment such as field recorders for including community voices, and simple-to-use studio gear that is inexpensive to maintain.
Click to read more about the community-centred media approach or Contact Us to start a conversation about using community-centred media where you are.
Publications and Media Mentions
We are happiest when our work brings practical results in communities. We are also very happy when community-centred media practice informs theory though shared learning and published articles - see references below.
In partnership with Search for Common Ground and Radio for Peacebuilding, HCR designed a training manual for peacebuilding radio. Designed as Part 2 of a two-part manual you can find Jon Hargreaves and Francis Rolt's Radio Soap Operas for Peacebuilding: a guide here. Francis Rolt's Part 1 of the two manuals can be found here. Read more about Francis Rolt and Radio for Peacebuilding here.
2011: Romo-Murphy E, James R and Adams M. Facilitating Disaster Preparedness Through Local Radio Broadcasting, The Journal of Disaster Studies, Policy and Management, Volume 35 Issue 3, July 2011, Manuscript ID DISA-May-09-0303.R1.
2006: Bryar, T., James, R., & Adams, M. Critical Information for Communities Following a Natural Disaster. Health Communication Resources, Perth, Australia.
Published on Communications Initiative:
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A Realist Evaluation of a Community-Centred Initiative for Health and Development, Mindanao, Philippines
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Community Radio and Social Change: An Impact Evaluation in Bali, Indonesia
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"I Have Seen the Changes": People's Stories of HIV/AIDS Behaviour Change in Papua
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Radio Djati: Improving and enhancing quality of life in Indonesia
- Radio Listeners' Survey, Mongolia, 2002
The Aboriginal Health Communication Project set out to improve media engagement with Aboriginal health, to strengthen the Aboriginal health profile and influence public opinion through news media.
The project produce two toolkits.
One toolkit guides Aboriginal health professionals who initiate contact with the media or respond to journalists seeking a comment or story.
Changing the News: A media engagement toolkit for Aboriginal health professionals.
The second toolkit guides journalists as they navigate the Aboriginal health sector in the course of news gathering. It is a source of advice from Aboriginal health professionals to journalists.
Aboriginal health and the mainstream news media.
The project was a partnership between HCR, WACHP, WACRH and funding from Healthway.
2006: Pepall E, James R & Earnest J. Guidelines for Conducting Rapid Participatory Appraisals of Community Health Needs in Developing Countries, Asia-Pacific Journal of Public Health, 18:2.
Tools
A toolbox for communication for development facilitators