Communication For Development: Strengthening the Effectiveness of the United Nations

"C4D approaches are shown to be useful in everything from promoting media pluralism to improving the participation of marginalized people in decision-making."

This United Nations (UN) Inter-agency publication illustrates the diverse communication for development (C4D) approaches adopted by UN agencies. Jointly produced by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), International Labour Organization (ILO), Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS), United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), and World Health Organization (WHO), the publication "calls for the further incorporation of C4D approaches into programme-planning instruments as well as the allocation of resources to strengthen communication and information as an essential tool for making development 'people-centric'. We hope this publication will be used by senior managers and programme staff of United Nations agencies and funds and that it will encourage fuller cooperation among United Nations organizations around C4D at all levels. The document may also serve as an advocacy tool. It may be useful when urging donors, national partners, development organizations and civil society organizations, including community-based groups, to support and adopt C4D approaches."

An excerpt from the report follows:

"Part one of this publication reflects on Communication for Development within United Nations organizations. The publication begins by outlining four interlinked C4D approaches used by United Nations organizations: (i) behaviour change communication; (ii) communication for social change; (iii) communication for advocacy; and (iv) strengthening an enabling media and communications environment. The section shows how C4D helps to reinforce many of the core principles that underpin the common United Nations approach to development at the country level, including adherence to a human rights-based approach, national ownership, gender equality and development effectiveness. It goes on to provide a snapshot of the diversity of C4D application across selected United Nations organizations. Finally, the section illustrates how the collaboration of United Nations organizations on a range of C4D issues supports the 'One UN' agenda at global and national levels.

Part two provides an in-depth exploration of Communication for Development efforts within seven United Nations agencies, programmes and funds: FAO, ILO, UNAIDS, UNDP, UNESCO, UNICEF and WHO. Each organization's section provides an overview of how Communication for Development approaches help to achieve the organization's mandate and objectives, while also highlighting the role of C4D in promoting the core tenets of rights, equality and equity. The overview is followed by case studies that demonstrate C4D in practice either as part of a larger project or as a 'stand alone' project contributing to the strategic objectives of the organization as well as of the partner governments. The case studies showcase the relevance of C4D approaches in a wide range of sectors in which United Nations organizations work. C4D approaches are shown to be useful in everything from promoting media pluralism to strengthening the participation of marginalized and vulnerable people in decisionmaking processes. They can also be used to address child health issues, empower adolescents, improve livelihoods and even fight epidemics.

...An enabling environment is...a prerequisite for effective Communication for Development planning and implementation and includes legal and regulatory systems that protect freedom of expression, enhance access to information for the poor, promote the public's right to official information, and facilitate non-discriminatory licensing of community radio as well as free and pluralist media systems that foster high-quality public interest media at national and local levels."

Click here for the 142-page report in PDF format (English).

Click here for the 134-page report in PDF format (French).

Click here for the 142-page report in PDF format (Spanish).