Communication for Development: A Practical Handbook

Broadcasting is now an important part of the international aid effort, and as such communication for development has ambitious aims: to save lives, improve livelihoods and end corruption. In order to achieve this, specialist innovative production techniques and formats are required. This book provides a practical and thorough guide to the production of effective broadcasting for development. It covers four key areas of communication: humanitarian broadcasting in emergencies; distance learning; empowerment, good governance and human rights; broadcasting for behaviour and social change. Tuckey takes us through each stage from project design, to selecting and training a production team and developing formats, with key emphasis on the inclusion of local communities.

About the Author :
John Tuckey is a freelance editorial consultant and trainer in communication for development. He has extensive experience of implementing, managing and editing communication for development projects in Africa, South Asia, the Middle East and the Caribbean, and has more than fifteen years' experience of recruiting and training local teams for communication for development projects. He is an award-winning radio producer of drama and factual programmes for BBC national radio and the World Service, devising many series formats. He has also worked as a drama director for commercial audio.

Review :
This is an important, in fact, essential book for both new and experienced workers in communication in international development. In six sections it presents and discusses: issues common to all development projects; humanitarian communication; distance learning; empowerment; and communication for social change; and it includes a major section on preparing training plans and materials for journalism and also for those writing drama series. A masterpiece by a firsthand professional, presenting insights of communication development from every angle, supported by a variety of examples that empowers readers to build resilience flexibly in different situations. This is really an unmissable read. John Tuckey really has produced a "Practical" Handbook. He deftly takes the many questions about the concept of Communication for Development that so often arise and carefully addresses them with the honesty that can only arise from a deep and wide experience - which he has. The reader can feel confidence in this book which has been honed from many years in the field where clearly the author has learned these lessons and approaches for himself. It's a really good read with straightforward guidance that arrives just at the point when it's needed and with a veracity that gives the reader confidence. Importantly, there are examples that are explored, lists of ideas, dos and don'ts in reference to formalities i.e. no stone is un-turned but the book is not laborious, it gives sufficient information about complex issues in a simple and enabling way. I think and hope this book will become the best friend of many practitioners and so it should! John Tuckey has written a must-read guide for anyone using or planning to use communication as a tool for stimulating awareness, participation and actions for social change. Communication for development is layered with complexities in all its aspects from understanding the context, to knowing the audience and their culture, determining the content, choosing an effective format and deciding which medium to use to reach the audiences... John Tuckey patiently brings years of experience, discussion and research together and provides practical and detailed guidance as to how to approach each aspect. Communication for Development is exactly what media for development practitioners and projects have been waiting for.