Participatory Communication for Social Change (Communication and Human Values)

Participation has been the emerging theme of debate in the field of development. However, participatory communication and the impact of setting goals for social change through participatory development have not been fully discussed in the literature. An exciting addition to this area, Participatory Communication for Social Change carefully examines the enormous potential of participation in development. With an introduction that stresses the importance of cultural identity and democratization at all levels, the volume presents theoretical perspectives in relation to policy issues and political ideologies. It also explores diverse methodological perspectives and applies this discussion to five significant case studies that articulate specific experiences in interfacing theory and practice. Each contributor focuses on the importance of participatory communication in third-world development and stimulates new thinking about the theory and reality of participation, particularly the practical realities of applying theory at grassroots levels. This volume is a thought-provoking contribution to the continuing process of understanding participation in the field of development communication. Participatory Communication for Social Change will be of primary interest to development practitioners, funding agencies, field workers, and researchers in development, development communication, and sociology.

Jan Servaes (Ph.D., 1987, Catholic University of Louvain, Belgium) is Professor and Chair of the Department of Communication at the University of Massachusetts at Amherst (USA), Editor-in-Chief of Communication for Development and Social Change: A Global Journal (Hampton Press), Associate Editor of Telematics and Informatics: An International Journal on Telecommunications and Internet Technology (Elsevier), Editor of the Southbound Book Series Communication for Development and Social Change, and Editor of the Hampton Book Series Communication, Globalization and Cultural Identity. He chaired the Scientific Committee for the World Congress on Communication for Development (Rome, 25–27 October 2006), organized by the World Bank, FAO and the Communication Initiative.

Servaes has taught International Communication and Development Communication in Australia (Brisbane), Belgium (Brussels and Antwerp), the USA (Cornell), the Netherlands (Nijmegen) and Thailand (Thammasat, Bangkok). He has been President of the European Consortium for Communications Research (ECCR, www.eccr.info) and Vice-President of the International Association for Media and Communication Research (IAMCR, www.iamcr.net), in charge of Academic Publications and Research, from 2000 to 2004.

Servaes has undertaken research, development, and advisory work around the world and is known as the author of journal articles and books on such topics as international and development communication; ICT and media policies; intercultural communication and language; participation and social change; and human rights and conflict management.

Shirley A White is Professor Emeritus within the Department of Communication at Cornell University. She has also served as Associate Director of the Cooperative Extension for Cornell University and Chairman of the Department of Extension Home Economics, Kansas State University.