[2001] This is a collection of stories where participatory communication has led to social change, ranging from bush radios to street theatre and local telecentres. The book forms part of the Rockefeller Foundation’s Communication for Social Change initiative.
The 50 case studies show how people living in poor communities across the world can potentially seize control of their own life stories and begin to change their marginal and unjust circumstances. The rationale for participatory communication in the international development field is explained by the link between communication and empowerment, as power relations are inherent in local community decision-making processes and in communal action. The book suggests that community-based radio is perhaps the communication method par excellence when trying to reach excluded or marginalized communities. The case studies also include examples of the continued success of traditional communication methods such as drama, dance, music, puppets, drums, storytelling and dialogue circles, where person-to-person communication is crucial.