Communication for development and social change

Abstract

The field of communication for development and social change (CDSC) is vast, and the models supporting it are as different as their underlying ideologies. CDSC theory and practice have been changing over time in line with the evolution of development approaches and trends and the need for effective applications of communication methods and tools to new issues and priorities. This chapter attempts to summarize these changes and to highlight the issues that are crucial for an understanding of CDSC in this complex world. Generally speaking, one distinguishes between two approaches: one aims to produce a common understanding among all the participants in a development initiative by implementing a policy or a development project, that is, the top-down model. The other emphasizes engaging the grassroots in making decisions that enhance their own lives, or the bottom-up model. At least 13 different CDSC approaches currently remain are used and applied. Some of these are more traditional, hierarchical and linear, some more participatory and interactive.

Cite this work

No public copy is stored for this record, so only the metadata is cited.

Stored only when both papers are in the corpus — 98 citations exist upstream.