World Congress on Communication for Development: Lessons, Challenges, and the Way Forward (Development in Practice)

The first World Congress on Communication for Development, held in October 2006 in Rome, was an unprecedented opportunity for dialogue among three key stakeholders who rarely interact: policy makers, practitioners, and academicians. It aimed to highlight the necessity of incorporating Communication for Development into development policies and practices. Communication for Development is a multidisciplinary area of study and work that is based on two-way models of communication, going beyond diffusion and dissemination of information. Its functions range from engaging stakeholders in problem analysis and risk assessment to supporting behavior and social change. The experiences recounted here are drawn from the various sessions of the Congress and emphasize the value of using Communication for Development to engage stakeholders in a professional and systematic manner for more effective and sustainable project design and implementation.