The Importance of Information and Communication when dealing with community.
Do the community opinions and decisions reach the authorities and does this usually happen in the correct form?
In our past as well as recent engagement with communities we have faced many obstacles when dealing with authorities in charge.
The opinions, needs and obstacles facing community can be one in comparison with the interest of the authoritative bodies in charge of the community.
When we talk about communication in relation to the community, it also means that there has to be an interactive process between community members and the authorities in which information, knowledge and, skills relevant for development are exchanged either personally or through media such as radio, print, telephone, and cybernetics. The aim of effective communication is to put the members of the community with the necessary information for decision-making, and bring awareness to improve their livelihood.
The Importance of Information and Communication:
Communication is a key component in the effectiveness of any community based project. Mobilising community members, and decision-making is of course very important; but the project can only be carried out with success when there is effective communication within the people and the authorities.
The contents and the form of communication have to be adjusted to the conditions of every population; and when it comes to working with indigenous communities one has to be very careful. Indigenous people are deeply rooted to their culture; misunderstandings and mistakes can easily happen. When working on communication in a low-income housing projects it is important to ask the following questions:
- Does the information reach the entire community and in the correct form?
- Does the community understand the information?
- Can the community take a decision on the basis of this information?
- Does the decision reflect the opinion of at least the majority of the population?
Oftentimes decision of the community are manipulated by leaders or organisations in charge.
We realised that it is beneficial to involve all interested bodies in discussion and openly touch on each problem or obstacle which the community is or may be facing during the implementation of the project.
Most popular issues when dealing with disaster relief or public projects are matters related to the terrain. When communities are in need and vulnerable often happens that leaders or politically oriented community based bodies will take an opportunity to place some promises with intentions of self gratification.
Such solutions are almost never serving the mostly interested party in a sustainable way.
Acting as negotiators, a non governmental organisation such as Tribe LAB needs to create a situation where the interest of the community gets protected agains any further, often even more consequent obstacles emerge.
This is where for us, being truthful to our mission becomes a game changer.
Hosting open discussions, where promises and opportunities can equalise when facing functionality and best interest of the ones in need.
Tribe LAB does not position itself neither in political, religious or other single party interests. We do however work in contexts very strongly embraced in political and religious grounds. What is our approach?
Creating a space for open debate, where each party can bring their opinions, feelings and suggestions. From there we negotiate and explore each and every opportunity for developing sustainable solutions for the vulnerable minority.
What next? It is important to follow each meeting scripting minutes and stating clear terms of conditions of further engagement, truthful to the organisations mission. As long s the final decisions serve the group in focus, flexibility in advised.
Tomorrow we will share with you our perspective on contribution and participation of funding bodies and opposition in community participation.
