Rhodora Ramonette de Villa-Custodio

In Focus: The Family Farming and Rural Territorial Development Initiative in Latin America and the Caribbean
ComDev Stories

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The Panorama of Rural Poverty in Latin America and the Caribbean, an FAO publication published in 2018, reported that for the first time in a decade, poverty in the rural areas of Latin America and the Caribbean has increased. It further stated that rural poverty in the region increased by two million between 2014 and 2016, reaching a total of 59 million.  The Family Farming and Rural Territorial Development Initiative is a priority

FAO Releases Report on the State of the World's Biodiversity for Food and Agriculture
Events & Opportunities

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The FAO Commission on Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture recently released it first report on “The State of the World’s Biodiversity for Food and Agriculture.”  The report gives an evaluation of the state of biodiversity for food and agriculture (BFA) as well as it management worldwide based on 91 country reports, 27 reports from international organizations, and inputs from over 175 authors and reviewers. Furthermore, it presents information on the roles

New Publications: Social media, big data analytics and innovation networks*
ComDev Stories

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Researchers and practitioners are embarking on topics, such as digital agriculture, big data and social media. The research program of Dr. Ataharul Chowdhury aligns with this exploration and seeks to advance understanding about innovative use of social and collaborative media for enhancing knowledge mobilization, learning and innovation networks of agricultural professionals. He has been collaborating on several studies to investigate social and collaborative media for supporting innovation networks of agricultural

New IAMCR Working Group on Rural Communication
Events & Opportunities

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The new Working Group on Rural Communication (RUC) of the International Association for Media and Communication Research (IAMCR) was launched at the 2018 IAMCR annual conference in Eugene, Oregon, U.S.A. The group is co-chaired by Rico Lie of the Wageningen University and Sarah Cardey of the University of Reading. The working group aims to provide a platform for scholars and professionals working in the field of rural communication. The focus of the working group

Invitation to join the IAMCR's 2019 Conference in Spain
Events & Opportunities

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The International Association for Media and Communication Research (IAMCR), a global professional association of media and communication researchers, invites professionals in the field of media and communication to its 2019 conference.  Bearing the theme “Communication, Technology and Human Dignity: Disputed Rights, Contested Truths,” IAMCR 2019 will be held on 7-11 July 2019 at the Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Madrid, Spain. For information and updates, visit the IAMCR 2019 conference web site or email madrid2019@iamcr.org.

TV Series Helps Restore Rice Landscape Biodiversity in Vietnam
FCCM_blog

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A TV series using entertainment-education principles helps change farmers’ beliefs and pest management practices in Vietnam. Developed by a multi-stakeholders’ group, the TV program focuses on motivating farmers to raise flowering plants along rice bunds. The key message is that the flowers provide the shelter, nectar, alternate hosts, and pollen to conserve insects such as bees. These insects in turn protect the rice crop from invading planthoppers. In order not to

Bangladesh announces its Community Radio Policy 2017
ComDev Stories

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Despite its important role, community radios are confronted time and again with the issue of sustaining their operation. With no regular source of revenue, many have remained poorly equipped and understaffed.  This challenge, among other ones, has led to the formulation of a new and timely policy in Bangladesh, thereby terminating the old one. As a result, the Community Radio Installation, Broadcast and Operation Policy 2017 is now in effect

E-learning Courses on the Sustainable Development Goals
Events & Opportunities

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The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) is offering new e-learning courses to track progress on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The SDGs, also known as Global Goals, are 17 goals adopted by 193 world leaders during the September 2015 United Nations Summit. These goals are aimed at “mobilizing efforts to end all forms of poverty, fight inequalities and tackle climate change, while ensuring that no one is left behind” (UN, n.d.).  The courses cover

2018 SBCC Summit held
ComDev Stories

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About 1,150 participants from 429 organizations gathered to attend the 2018 Social and Behavioral Change Communication (SBCC) Summit on 16-20 April 2018 in Nusa Dua, Indonesia. This year’s Summit theme was “Shifting Norms, Changing Behavior, Amplifying Voices: What Works?” that featured entertainment-education.  The Summit kicked off with an Opening Remark by United Nations Deputy Secretary-General Amina J. Mohammed and Keynote Addresses of Dr. Mohamad Subuh, health economics advisor at Indonesia’s Ministry

Celebrating Asian Contributions to Communication for Development
ComDev Stories

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A forthcoming chapter in a book celebrates the Asian contributions to Communication for Development (ComDev). The chapter highlights seven of these contributions in order to demonstrate the fundamental concerns that drive the agenda, processes, and partnerships in the field.  The seven contributions of Asian scholars, practitioners, and community partners to ComDev which have been expounded in the chapter include: schools of thought, offering of professional degrees, participatory planning, inclusive rural