ComDev News

At the University of Queensland (UQ), Australia, the School of Communication and Arts’ Centre for Communication and Social Change (CfCSC) devotes itself to understanding communication as a participatory process of listening, amplifying voices, and facilitating social change. Under the leadership of its director, Dr. Elske van de Fliert, the centre became a hub of transdisciplinary research. Van de Fliert brought nearly two decades of field experience across Asia, Africa, and

Over 100 participants from around the world convened at the headquarters of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) for a seminar on “Rural Communication Services and Inclusive Innovation Approaches for Family Farming.” This global event marked the midterm milestone of the United Nations Decade of Family Farming (UNDFF) aiming to amplify the voice and impact of family farmers in transforming agrifood systems. Key insights of the seminar are summarized in

Rome, Italy / Global — On October 16, 2025,  the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations (UN) will celebrate World Food Day with a powerful call to action bringing the world together in ensuring that everyone, everywhere, has access to safe, nutritious, and affordable food. This year’s theme: Hand in Hand for Better Food and a Better Future is more than a celebration as not only does

A decade-long journey of research, collaboration, and advocacy came to fruition during the IAMCR 2025 Conference in Singapore with the official launch of the book “Collaborative Change: Lessons from the Ground on Rural Communication Services.” Dr. Rico Lie of Wageningen University led the launch, which was held during the special FAO/IAMCR Rural Communication Services (RCS) session of the conference and participated in by ComDev scholars from across the globe. He traced

Missed the IAMCR 2025 Conference in Singapore? Watch the 2025 FAO/IAMCR RCS Awardees Presentation Watch the full video of two milestone events in rural communication. First, witness the launch of the new IAMCR/FAO publication “Collaborative Change,” a book born from over a decade of work on inclusive communication for rural development. Then, watch the 2025 FAO/IAMCR RCS Awards session, where three researchers from Indonesia, Bangladesh, and China share how their

The FAO/IAMCR Rural Communication Services (RCS) Awards session during the 2025 IAMCR Conference in Singapore on July 16 showcased the winning papers of three outstanding researchers whose work explores how communication can bridge the rural divide. This awards session was a celebration of meaningful efforts to make communication systems more inclusive, community-centered, and responsive to the real challenges rural populations face. The first presentation came from Dr. Subekti Priyadharma of

Despite advances in Nature-based Solutions (NbS) designed to enhance agricultural production while protecting the environment, many farmers remain hesitant to adopt innovations that can improve productivity and sustainability. However, addressing this trust gap has become essential for advancing rural development due to increasing climate and resource challenges. In rural areas where information access can vary, what drives farmers to adopt new agricultural technologies and what holds them back? Dr. Li

Rural Bangladesh faces development challenges due to limited access to government services and information, significantly affecting community empowerment and socio-economic progress. The Union Digital Centre (UDC) initiative, launched by the Bangladeshi government with support from international partners, aims to tackle this by providing ICT-based services at the grassroots level. By decentralizing access to these services, it aims to reduce the burden on rural residents who had no choice but to

Access to reliable internet remains limited or entirely absent in many rural areas in the world, leaving millions cut off from opportunities in basic human needs, such as education, healthcare, livelihoods, and civic participation. In Indonesia, an archipelagic nation of over 17,000 islands, this digital divide remains a pressing problem. Bridging this gap requires inclusive strategies that prioritize community ownership, cultural sensitivity, and sustainable development. How can this be filled?

An interview with Mario Acunzo, Head of FAO’s Communication for Development (ComDev) Team In this interview, Mario Acunzo shares insights on the continued relevance of Communication for Development (ComDev) in today’s world. He highlights how participatory communication approaches are essential to fostering inclusion, encouraging local engagement and facilitating knowledge sharing, critical elements for achieving sustainable food systems and advancing rural development. For those who aren’t familiar with ComDev – what is it