Skip navigation

Warren Feek's blog

Amplifying Different Voices as a core HIV/AIDS Strategy?

To: The HIV/AIDS Community within The Drum Beat network

From: Warren Feek - Executive Director - The Communication Initiative Health, HIV/AIDS, Rights, Media

Hi - This note is prompted by an article in The Guardian Development on the forthcoming G8 Conference - Austerity-hit G8 leaders.... Very few of the "voices" that are quoted and inform this kind of perspective are people directly affected by the development issues under consideration. It is a kind of experts meet celebrities meet rich folks view of development policy making and advocacy. Perhaps this contributes to the lack of progress and "steam" as outlined in the article.

There is of course another way to do this - a way in which the HIV/AIDS community (used to?) lead. A strategy in which the people most affected, including by HIV/AIDS, are supported to be the lead "voices". You can see this perspective in strategic form in processes such as Voices from Villages, Bring Voices in from the Margins, Storytelling to Combat HIV/AIDS Stigma, and campaignstrategy.org

When it comes to effective HIV/AIDS Communication Strategies do we need to return to and/or further strengthen the voices and roles of those most directly affected by HIV/AIDS as the prime advocates and policy contributors. Would such an approach provide a much stronger, more compelling and resonant approach to local, national and global advocacy - with greater success?

Sesame Meta-Analysis - Your Critical Review?

To: Early Child Development Community within The Drum Beat Network From: Warren Feek

Hi and many best wishes. Did you have an opportunity to review the "Meta-analysis of Improvements in Children's Learning in 15 Countries - Effects of Sesame Street" recently published in the Journal of Applied Developmental Psychology; authors Marie-Louise Mares and Zhongdang Pan (University of Wisconsin-Madison)?

There is a summary here (with link to the journal) - http://www.comminit.com/early-child/content/effect-sesame-street-around-world-meta-analysis-15-countries

If you did have an opportunity to review then what was your assessment: compelling data? valid methodology? Perhaps you have some questions or issues? A major contribution to early child development strategic thinking and action.

Can I please encourage you to share your critical perspectives and insights. Either reply by email or click Read More below and use the Comment form and Send!

With many thanks - Warren

Warren Feek - Executive Director - The Communication Initiative

http://www.comminit.com

Twitter: https://twitter.com/warrencomminit Facebook: The Communication Initiative Network http://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Communication-Initiative-Network/344005148956579

LinkedIn: Warren Feek

Skype: Warren Feek - Office - 1–250-658-6372 - Mobile 1-250-588-8795 - Fax 1-250-658-1728

"The New Wave: Who Connects to the Internet, How They Connect and What They Do When They Connect"

To: HIV/AIDS Communication Community within The Drum Beat Network From: Warren Feek

Hi - online social networking will continue to grow in importance for effective HIV/AIDS action.

We were recently asked us to feature this very interesting report - "The New Wave: Who Connects to the Internet, How They Connect and What They Do When They Connect". You can see the summary at http://www.comminit.com/health_rights_media/content/new-wave-who-connects-internet-how-they-connect-and-what-they-do-when-they-connect

Though it is about South Africa there are some very interesting observations that may have implications for HIV/AIDS action through social networking strategies - eg the schools and colleges access trends.

If you are able to review and share some strategic reflections for your HIV/AIDS work from this study that would be very helpful. Just reply to this email or click on Read More below and comment.

Thanks - Warren

Warren Feek Executive Director The Communication Initiative

http://www.comminit.com Twitter: https://twitter.com/warrencomminit Facebook: The Communication Initiative Network http://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Communication-Initiative-Network/344005148956579 LinkedIn: Warren Feek

Skype: Warren Feek Office - 1–250-658-6372 Mobile 1-250-588-8795 Fax 1-250-658-1728

Rights Based Communication Strategies and Programmes?

Hi - we just sent the following note to some of the people engaged in The Communication Initiative network from the HIV/AIDS community. But thought below may also be of interest to you for review and possible comment (simply reply by email or click Read More link below, comment and send) from a media, advocacy, etc perspective.

THE NOTE: "The issue of rights based HIV/AIDS programming and strategies is a constant source of debate concerning best approaches. Below are 4 recent knowledge summaries shared by people engaged in The Communication Initiative Network. We would welcome your review and critique. What strategic and programming questions do these raise; what ideas do they stimulate; and, what problems/opportunities do they highlight?

YOUNG WOMEN: LIFE CHOICES AND LIVELIHOODS IN POOR URBAN AREAS…"giving people living in poverty the power to: build critical awareness of their situation (conscientisation); organise and mobilise for individual and collective action, with us supporting and strengthening organisations and movements; monitor public policies and budgets; develop communication skills and platforms and respond to vulnerability and needs through rights-based approaches to service delivery…" More at http://www.comminit.com/health_rights_media/content/young-women-life-choices-and-livelihoods-poor-urban-areas

MAKING IT WORK: LESSONS LEARNT FROM THREE REGIONAL WORKSHOPS TO INTEGRATE HUMAN RIGHTS INTO NATIONAL HIV STRATEGIC PLANS..."A human-rights-based approach to HIV brings human rights standards and principles into the heart of all HIV programming. It empowers people to know and claim their rights and ensures that governments fulfil their human rights obligations in the context of HIV.

Rights Focused Programmes and Strategies?

Hi folks and thanks for being part of the HIV/AIDS Communication community within The Drum Beat network.

The issue of rights based HIV/AIDS programming and strategies is a constant source of focus for action and debate concerning best approaches. Below are 4 recent knowledge summaries shared by people engaged in The Communication Initiative Network. We would welcome your review and critique. What strategic and programming questions do these raise; what ideas do they stimulate; and, what problems/opportunities do they highlight?

Please simply contribute and share your insights by just replying to this email or clicking the Read More link below and commenting.

YOUNG WOMEN: LIFE CHOICES AND LIVELIHOODS IN POOR URBAN AREAS…"giving people living in poverty the power to: build critical awareness of their situation (conscientisation); organise and mobilise for individual and collective action, with us supporting and strengthening organisations and movements; monitor public policies and budgets; develop communication skills and platforms and respond to vulnerability and needs through rights-based approaches to service delivery…" More at http://www.comminit.com/health_rights_media/content/young-women-life-choices-and-livelihoods-poor-urban-areas

MAKING IT WORK: LESSONS LEARNT FROM THREE REGIONAL WORKSHOPS TO INTEGRATE HUMAN RIGHTS INTO NATIONAL HIV STRATEGIC PLANS..."A human-rights-based approach to HIV brings human rights standards and principles into the heart of all HIV programming. It empowers people to know and claim their rights and ensures that governments fulfil their human rights obligations in the context of HIV.

Recent Entertainment-Education Knowledge Shared

Hi folks - it seems a long time since the Delhi Entertainment-Education Conference! Trust that all is well with your important work. This is just a quick note to let you know of some recent Entertainment-Education related knowledge shared by people in The CI/Drum Beat Network.

Nalamdana - a communication organisation in rural and urban Tamil Nadu, India http://www.comminit.com/entertainment-education/content/nalamdana-0

Tips voor Scripts (Tips for Scripts) http://www.comminit.com/entertainment-education/content/tips-voor-scripts

Sesame Workshop's Research Model: Inform, Improve, Measure...Repeat http://www.comminit.com/entertainment-education/content/sesame-workshops-research-model-inform-improve-measurerepeat

Callaloo - part of a larger communications programme, My Island - My Community in the Caribbean http://www.comminit.com/entertainment-education/content/callaloo

Battlestorm Social Impact Game: Summary Evaluation Results http://www.comminit.com/entertainment-education/content/battlestorm-social-impact-game-summary-evaluation-results

Gender Justice Video Advocacy Project http://www.comminit.com/entertainment-education/content/gender-justice-video-advocacy-project

There is much more at http://www.comminit.com/entertainment-education/category/sites/global/entertainment-education

Plus for those who can read Spanish please see the full theme site on the major "Revelados" entertainment-education initiative in Colombia at http://www.comminit.com/revelados/category/sites/latin-america/revelados - includes a full range of clips.

Please do share by reply email or through the platform (click Read More link below and Comment) with this network any of your recent work.

Two Journalism Awards - Deadlines soon

Hi folks - thanks for being part of The Media Development community within The Drum Beat Network. Two recent awards opportunities follow in case they are of interest. Should you access the links please co rate, comment and share with your networks through the "Share" buttons, Many best wishes - Warren

Health Journalism Contest

  • Journalists working in print, broadcast, or online media (as well as affiliated freelance journalists) have a chance to win a 2-week study tour to the United States (US) and cash prizes as part of 3 regional competitions to recognise the best media coverage of immunisations.

Further details and links to the application forms at http://www.comminit.com/health_rights_media/content/health-journalism-contest

Asia-Pacific Child Rights Award

Warren Feek - Executive Director - The Communication Initiative

http://www.comminit.com

Twitter: https://twitter.com/warrencomminit

Facebook: The Communication Initiative Network http://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Communication-Initiative-Network/344005148956579

LinkedIn: Warren Feek

Skype: Warren Feek Office - 1–250-658-6372 Mobile 1-250-588-8795 Fax 1-250-658-1728

$5,000 Dissertation Support on ECD Issues

Hi - in case this is of interest to you and your networks:

The Patrice L. Engle Dissertation Grant

"Dissertation Grant aims to provide support for students interested in a career in global early child development. The Grant includes US$5,000 to support dissertation research and a 2-year student membership to Society for Research in Child Development (SRCD)...."

Further details and links to the application forms at http://www.comminit.com/global/content/patrice-l-engle-dissertation-grant

Many best wishes - Warren

Warren Feek - Executive Director - The Communication Initiative

http://www.comminit.com

Twitter: https://twitter.com/warrencomminit

Facebook: The Communication Initiative Network http://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Communication-Initiative-Network/344005148956579

LinkedIn: Warren Feek

Skype: Warren Feek Office - 1–250-658-6372 Mobile 1-250-588-8795 Fax 1-250-658-1728

New Health, Rights, Media space

Just to quickly let everyone know that the partner space to this has a growing collection of Health, Rights and Media knowledge shared through The Communication Initiative network. The link is: Health, Rights, Media

Some recent knowledge shared includes:

Learning from Experience: Rights and Governance Advocacy in the Water and Sanitation Sectors

Expanding Reproductive Rights Knowledge and Advocacy with HIV-positive Women and their Allies in Namibia - An Action-Oriented Initiative

Rights to Water and Sanitation: A Handbook for Activists

Please do share your knowledge through this process. Just click "Create Content" top right, Create a topic and then submit.

Digital Early Child Development?

To: The Early Child Development Community within The Drum Beat Network

From: Warren Feek

Issue: Digital and Early Child Development - Good Mix?

http://www.comminit.com/early-child/category/sites/global/early-child-development

As digital media increasingly reach every corner of the globe so parents and people involved in early child development processes increasingly debate whether such technologies are "good" for early child development?

Many organisations have been looking at these questions. For your critical review below are just 3 links (there is a growing body of work on this theme) to knowledge generated by Sesame Workshop and the Berkman Center for Internet & Society. From your perspective and in your context what is your critique of this knowledge?

Plus, please do share with this community your own knowledge, ideas and viewpoints on digital media and early child development.

Communication: Results for Children