Results from the national meeting in Bolivia

written by Fiona Foster I February 17, 2012

Participants at the meeting

Recommendations and results of the national Communication for Development meeting in Bolivia, 30-31^st of January, have been consolidated. Over 40 experts from different organizations met to exchange experience on communication for rural development, including CSDI’s Lead Technical Officer Mario Acunzo and CSDI Assistant for Latin America Vanessa Vertiz.

The meeting combined panels, discussion groups and workshops to both analyze experiences and generate concrete ideas. Monday the 30^th began with a panel, run by INIAF representatives, on Innovation and Communication for Development. This was followed by a second panel, moderated by CSDI staff, to discuss concrete and projected results of the Communication for Development National Plan.

Later that day, participants gathered into four small groups at ‘work tables’ to discuss the experiences and results of the CSDI project and improve Communication for Development (ComDev) services. One table analyzed the results of the local ComDev plan in order to enhance its efficiency and scope while another table considered how to address further rural sector needs and opportunities. A third table discussed how to improve ComDev information systems, especially TECA (Technologies and practices for small agricultural producers) platform and a fourth table, ‘Towards a ComDev Programme for Innovation and Rural Development’ analyzed contributions in the field and layed out concrete recommendations for the consolidation of ComDev within INIAF.

• Recognize the important contributions of Communication for Development (ComDev)
  in agricultural innovation and rural development
  because it is comprehensive, intercultural and empowering.
  

  CSDI panel

• Promote ComDev at the rural institutional level and invigorate cooperation in local, municipal, departmental and national levels to involve the
• local media, the community and other bodies.
• Develop mechanisms for coordination, exchange and collaboration in rural ComDev so as to identify opportunities of knowledge dialogue.
• Collaborate to strengthen the ComDev capacities in communicators, technical staff, and community promoters, with a focus that is inclusive, participatory and gender-neutral.
• Rescue and value, in a spirit that is inclusive and participatory, the experience and knowledge of organizations and institutions that use communication for innovation and rural development.
• Collaborate to identify tools and evaluate results, outcomes and impacts of rural ComDev actions
• Implement mechanism for consultation and collaboration in rural ComDev, particularly in ‘Linking Rural Communication for Development’