20 pages., Via online newsletter article., This paper describes the challenges of decentralisation and privatisation of rural services from the perspective of
communication strategy development. The wave of decentralisation and privatisation in rural services worldwide creates challenges for rural communities, service providers and local governments. Local organisations – both in government and civil society – are confronted with rules and procedures that are unprecedented. The new roles require significant changes in attitudes, skills, and especially a new level of accountability. While communication strategies are only a part of the transformation, they are strategic tools that merit attention. This is an account of two cases where the authors have been involved in developing communication strategies aimed specifically at helping stakeholders make this transition. The first is the case of the Communication and Information Strategy for the National Agricultural Advisory Services Programme (NAADS) of Uganda. The second is the formulation of a plan to communicate the National Water Policy (NWP) and Rural Water Transition Plan in Mozambique. The paper concludes with some design principles for other strategies and with a review of the importance of communication research and planning.
Agricultural Communications Documentation Center, Funk Library, University of Illinois Box: 69 Document Number: D10732
Notes:
Claude W. Gifford Collection. Beyond his materials in the ACDC collection, the Claude W. Gifford Papers, 1919-2004, are deposited in the University of Illinois Archives. Serial Number 8/3/81. Locate finding aid at https://archives.library.illinois.edu/archon/, Item 42 located in ACDC Document D10726, Directory of written summaries of 80 items deposited in the Claude W. Gifford Papers, University of Illinois Archives. 4 pages., Provides a review of efforts to improve public understanding of agriculture, nationally. Author cites the 1950 book by Ed Lipscomb, Grassroots public relations for agriculture, formation of the Agricultural Relations Council, and Dan Murphy's book, Improving agriculture's reputation. Describes USDA efforts, including the PACER research project and staffing enhancements for that goal.
Agricultural Communications Documentation Center, Funk Library, University of Illinois Box: 155 Document Number: C25288
Notes:
Comments before the Federal Communications Commission in the matter of Broadcast Localism, RM-10803. 2 pages., Author urged the Commission to seek ways to help maintain and encourage more localized agricultural programming on radio and television stations throughout the nation.
