Innovations in communication enhance grassroots development

• Main Author: Westlund, L
• Format: Book Chapter
• Language: English
• Subjects: Freshwater; Marine
• ISSN: 2070-7010

This chapter reviews the different Information and Communication (IC) dimensions of SFLP's work. After giving an overview of overall Programme IC and outreach issues, SFLP's community communication strategy is presented and SFLP participatory approach to communication is illustrated by a case study from Congo. Thereafter, the use of ICTs in small-scale fishing communities is reviewed and case studies from Guinea, Burkina Faso and Mali are presented, demonstrating how technologies can be used effectively for communication led development in the context of poverty reduction and responsible fisheries. While it is argued that the Programme was less successful in its global outreach activities, important achievements were made at the local level with also some impact on national policies. Information, Education and Communication (IEC) became a crosscutting theme in SFLP field activities and the Programme was successful in using a variety of communication techniques, ranging from social communication tools such as theatre-for-development activities to GPS and modern technologies, for achieving its priorities. The experience shows the importance of giving IC sufficient attention in a development programme such as the SFLP, both with regard to consolidating results and outreach at the overall programme level and including IEC actions and appropriate communication tools at the community level.