At the cutting edge of environmental information
Baretto de Carvalho, Francisco (1998)
In: The Courier, no. 170, p. 70-71
The Technical Assistance Programme for Communication and Information on Environmental Protection or PACIPE, operational in Guinea-Bissau and five other West African countries, seeks to raise people's awareness of the ecological problems facing them in order to bring about a real change in behaviour and to improve the use of natural resources. PACIPE's field activities have comprised three major projects: support for the country's community media activities in the area of environmental protection, raising awareness of environmental problems in Bissau, and promoting environmental protection activities. In all participating countries, interactive communication across all sectors is used to raise awareness among target groups which include decision-makers and implementers, rural and urban communities, school children, students, business people and other social groups such as women and young people. PACIPE projects emphasize the aspirations and active participation of target groups.
In Guinea-Bissau, high levels of illiteracy, cultural diversity and differing religious beliefs dictate the form of communication used such as language and gesture. Short plays, presentations about environmental activity using local languages, direct interactive communication to exchange experiences, and the use of community radio stations have all proven to be effective communication tools. This year, PACIPE Guinea-Bissau used the Carnival to communicate environmental messages, illustrating the importance of the active participation of target groups in efforts to draw attention to environmental matters. In order to overcome resistance to change, PACIPE adopts low profile methods in support of individual and group initiatives to protect the natural environment. Rather than "laying down the law" or replacing existing structures, the programme strives, by example and encouragement, to help spread awareness of successful experiments and new ideas on efficient resource management and environmental conservation that have emerged in the region. Its success rests on letting the people speak about how they perceive environmental problems and giving them an opportunity to discuss appropriate solutions.
