Giving local partners and the poor a voice in development

Access to safe and adequate water and sanitation is recognized as a fundamental human need. The development of sustainable capacities to meet these needs in developing countries is one of the key challenges for the water sector as a whole.

In 21 developing countries IRC works together with local partners on information and knowledge sharing for improved and hygienic water and sanitation provision. This paper will highlight the added value of communication for development work. Evidence and impact is described of community work and policy influencing through community water management and school sanitation.

Policy and practice examples from the field are addressed. IRC and partners do this through learning circles and vertical / horizontal coalitions, communities of practice, “infomediairs”, help-desks, communication technology use, and mutual learning with target groups (the poor).

Next, the theoretical foundation and methodological approach used by IRC and partners is briefly pointed out.

All evidence presented leads up to the conclusion that ‘Communication for Development’ should be ‘Two-way Communication in Development’; basic, practiced and leading to action on the ground every day.

Authors: Jaap Pels, Dick de Jong, Peter McIntyre