AFRO-NETS> The Drum Beat - 15 - Communication and Change News and Issues

[Warren Feek <wfeek@coastnet.com>]

The Drum Beat - 15 - Communication and Change News and Issues
-------------------------------------------------------------
March 15, 1999

Warren Feek 
mailto:wfeek@coastnet.com
http://www.comminit.com

PROGRAMMES

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 Bra-
zil'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.
http://www.radiofavelafm.com.br/ 
Contact:
mailto:rfavela@prover.com.br

Cartoons for Children's Rights - is a broadcast communication initia-
tive 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 
mailto:gmcbean@unicef.org

Radio Network - Philippines - local network is being established in re-
mote upland forest of central Mindanao in the Philippines. At the head-
water 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 
mailto:iefilm@mozcom.com

Infoshare Center - Moldova - Association antiHIV is opening an Info-
share 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 
mailto:antihiv@micmd

OneWorld International Media Awards - Global - an annual event recog-
nising 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 develop-
ment; and New Media. Entries close 26 Mar. 1999. 
Contact: Mark Lynas 
mailto:mark@oneworld.org

"Sex on TV" - USA - This study by the Kaiser Family Foundation analyses 
the amount, nature and potential impact of sexual messages on TV today. 
http://www.kff.org/archive/media.html 
Contact: Marla Bolotsky 
mailto:mbolotsky@kff.org

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 cam-
paigns, television and radio spots and community events. This is a 
JHU/CCP initiative. 
Contact: Phyllis Piotrow 
mailto:ppiotrow@jhuccp.org


Jonathan Mann Award - To the individual or organisation that has demon-
strated leadership, courage, commitment, and creativity in promoting 
and enhancing the links between human rights and health. Co-sponsors: 
Association Francois-Xavier Bagnoud, Doctors of the World, Global 
Health Council, and Human Rights Watch. Nominations deadline - 1 Apr. 
1999. 
Contact: Mike Feldstein 
mailto:JMannAward@HotMail.com


WEB SITES

"DevMedia" is an exchange of information and news about using communi-
cation tools to promote development and democracy. Links include: De-
velopment Communication Organisations, Radio Links, Video & Film Links, 
Grassroots Media Producer Groups and Collectives, Women Working with 
Media for Development & Democracy, and Telecommunications for Rural De-
velopment. 
http://www.devmedia.org

The Panos Institute - Dakar Antenna's "Media for a Democratic West Af-
rica" site includes: information on media and development situations, 
current radio programmes, an index of Panos Paris publications, discus-
sion forums, a guide to media sites for Africa, and the bulletin for 
radio pluralism in West-Africa: 'Radio-Action'. 
http://www.panos.sn

Benton Foundation's newly designed "Connect For Kids" (formerly Kids 
Campaign) is a resource for adults who want to create better communi-
ties for kids. Through a library, email newsletter and discussion fo-
rum, this award-winning project provides tools to help people become 
more active citizens on behalf of kids. 
http://www.connectforkids.org


FEATURED on THE COMMUNICATION INITIATIVE WEB SITE 
http://www.comminit.com

"News Beat" - articles from current media coverage of communication, 
development and change trends, programmes and policies.
http://www.comminit.com/news.html

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..."

Links - to 80 organisations active in communication, change and devel-
opment. Please review and contact us for additions.
http://www.comminit.com/links.html


GATHERINGS

Call for Papers - for the 3rd African Population Conference in Johan-
nesburg, South Africa, Dec. 6-10, 1999. This forum will discuss the 
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 
mailto:ailiniga@cafs.org

Delegates from 46 Sub-Saharan countries and Azerbaijan, Guyana, El Sal-
vador and Vietnam took part in the Review of the Bamako Initiative, 
Mar. 8-12, 1999. In her opening statement, Carol Bellamy, Executive Di-
rector of Unicef said the Initiative has helped prove that "the key to 
accessible and affordable health care for all lies in the informed in-
volvement of local communities." 
Contact: Robert Lussier 
mailto:rlussier@unicef.org


MATERIALS

"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 col-
lection "AIDS and Men: Taking Risks or Taking Responsibility?" publ. by 
Panos / Zed in Dec. 1998. See 'Media Briefings'
http://www.oneworld.org/panos/ 
Contact: Martin Foreman 
mailto:martinf@panoslondon.org.uk

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 communi-
cations in HIV/AIDS focusing on context based strategies such as inter-
personal communications, community approach, spirituality/ religion, 
drug use populations, gender, ethical issues, media strategies, etc. 
Contact: Collins O. Airhihenbuwa 
mailto:aou@psu.edu


PEOPLE

OneWorld, promoting human rights and sustainable development through 
the Internet, seeks an International Co-ordinator (UK work permit). Po-
sition includes: strategy & policy development; staff co-ordination & 
communication; planning & implementation of projects. Closing date: 17 
Mar. 1999. 
Contact: Andrew Weston 
mailto:andrew@oneworld.org

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 Ki-
gali, Rwanda. Position includes: project implementation; staff manage-
ment; accounting; reporting. Closing date: 21 Mar. 1999. 
Contact: Madeleine Hammond 
mailto:ae161@dial.pipex.com

Hager Sharp, a Washington DC-based PR firm is seeking a Partnership Di-
rector 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 
mailto:garryrc@aol.com

Mitchell Warren is the new Director for International Affairs at the 
Female Health Company. He will be mobilising IEC programmes which pro-
mote safer sex and expanding public sector and social marketing pro-
grammes to expand access to and use of the female condom. 
Contact: Mitchell Warren
mailto:MitchellWarren@csi.com

Thanks to all for their involvement and support. Please send items for 
'The Drum Beat' to:

The Editor
Deborah Heimann 
mailto:deborah@vermontel.net


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