Dr. Linje Manyozo, senior lecturer from RMIT, University of Australia and author of Media, Communication and Development (2012) talked about the “Pedagogy of Listening” during the 6th Association of Development Communication Educators and Practitioners (ADCEP) National Conference, on December 2-4, 2016 at La Trinidad, Benguet, Philippines.
“We need to make sure that we put the interest of the people we’re working with.” Manyozo emphasized the importance of listening in doing fieldwork. More than listening, practitioners and community field workers should have a sense of empathy. It is important to understand the context with empathy, understanding, and compassion.
Media, Communication and Development is a book highlighting the three approaches useful in explaining the interrelated concepts in the field of development communication: media for development approach; the media development approach; and the participatory communication. Manyozo also authored Manifesto for Development Communication: Nora Quebral and the Los Baños School of Development Communication published in the 2007 Asian Journal of Communication honoring Dr. Quebral and recognizing the Los Baños School of development communication. This makes Manyozo instrumental to Quebral’s Honorary Doctorate (honoris causa) from the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE) this December.
ADCEP is a network of state colleges and universities linked to the College of Development Communication at the University of the Philippines Los Banos (UPLB), which pioneered the field and provides capacity building for network members. It was formally organized into an organization, the Consortium of Development Communication Educators and Practitioners (CDCEPP). ADCEP holds its annual conference of educators, practitioners and advocates as an avenue for discourse and dialogue on development agenda, issues and policies.
Photo credit: Romel A. Daya, UPLB Philippines