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: 196 Document Number: D08037
Notes:
John L. Woods Collection, Involves the Retail Water Distribution Project (RWDP). Prepared by Chemonics International, Inc., Washington, D. C., in association with Argil, Ltd. Institute for Public-Private Partnership. Funded by the U.S. Agency for International Development, Washington, D. C. Includes strategy, KAP survey findings, action plans, and initial trip report. 51 pages.
