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Last updated: 09 October 2008 |
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Communication Initiatives  |
Often overlooked, communication is a vital component in
any development
project. Technologies, concepts and preferred practices promoted by a project need
to be properly packaged and delivered to reach and influence the target audience.
Appropriate media needs to be selected, messages and materials designed, delivery
systems developed, and evaluation of development communication program impact assessed. Ken has designed and implemented development communication initiatives in support of health and agricultural projects and extension/outreach services in Cambodia, India, Indonesia, Bhutan, Bangladesh, Georgia, Thailand, China, Vietnam, East Timor and Pakistan. In the process Ken has trained numerous national, provincial, and district-level staff in the skills necessary to plan and implement communication initiatives. |
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IEC Material
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Print materials, videos,
television and radio
programming, slide/sound presentations and
photography are all essential
elements in communicating messages to the target audience. DCS
can assist in selecting and developing appropriate media and messages. For much of Ken's 28 years in Asia he has managed the design and production of print and electronic IEC materials, developed scripts and images for slide/sound presentations, radio and television programming, and produced instructional and documentary videos. Ken is also highly skilled in still photography (film and digital) and computer-based graphic design -- skills he has put to use in developing IEC materials in Thailand, Bangladesh, Georgia, India, Indonesia, East Timor, Pakistan, China and Cambodia. |
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Training |
Quite often national staff assigned to develop development communication
initiatives lack the training and experience necessary to carry out their job effectively.
Staff trained as health or agricultural specialists are assigned to work in the
field of development communication. DCS can develop and deliver courses designed
to overcome this shortfall. During Ken's career he has designed and taught courses in communication planning and IEC material production using Adobe InDesign, PhotoShop and Illustrator in Pakistan, Bangladesh, China, Georgia, Indonesia, East Timor, Uzbekistan, Cambodia and Thailand. |
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Research |
How do target audiences obtain the information they need to make sound
decisions? What influences a target audience to accept or reject a new technology or
behavior? What media is most appropriate to their need? Research can
help to answer these questions. Ken has organized and carried out communication planning research to determine communication channels and messages, as well as follow-up studies to determine the impact of those communication initiatives in China, Pakistan, Thailand, Indonesia, East Timor and Cambodia. |
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Internet |
Development communication can
now make use of the plethora of information available through the
Internet. Projects can use the Internet to enhance their
visibility and influence in the development arena. Ken has designed and continues to manage the website for the ADB and JFPR-funded Community Action for Preventing HIV/AIDS regional project (http://www.jfpr-hiv.org), and the website for MIDAS Agronomics, an agribusiness management and production firm based in Bangkok, Thailand (http://www.midasagro.com).Ken also assists various private businesses and individuals in the design of corporate and personal websites. |
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