Positive Use of Communication for Development

Abstract

We live in an ever more complex global society, on a planet where more than 2 billion people try to survive on less than $2 a day. Many people in developing countries are confronted with massive, desperately difficult challenges: hunger, HIV and AIDS, population growth, climate change, war and the daily struggle of poverty. Tools of communication in the present world has become powerful instruments, taking on a wide social role, conferring status on public issues, people, organizations and social movements. Research testifies that the standing of social policies is raised when they are delivered by people who command favorable attention in the media. Media and communication exposure legitimizes the status of individuals, groups and their causes. Societies that have harnessed the potential of Information and Communications have attained significant social and economic development. In addition, they are rapidly transforming into information and knowledge-based economies.2 Knowledge and information are essential for people to successfully respond to the opportunities and challenges of social, economic and technological changes. But to be useful, knowledge and information must be effectively communicated to people