Communication for Social Change (CSC) is a defined field of academic
enquiry that is explicitly transdisciplinary and that has been shaped by
a variety of theoretical inputs from a variety of traditions, from sociology
and development to social movement studies. The leveraging of
communication, information and the media in social change is the
basis for a global industry that is supported by governments, development
aid agencies, foundations, and international and local NGOs. It
is also the basis for multiple interventions at grassroots levels, with participatory
communication processes and community media making a
difference through raising awareness, mobilising communities, strengthening
empowerment and contributing to local change. This series on
Communication for Social Change intentionally provides the space
for critical writings in CSC theory, practice, policy, strategy and methods.
It fills a gap in the field by exploring new thinking, institutional
critiques
and innovative methods. It offers the opportunity for scholars
and practitioners
to engage with CSC as both an industry and as a local
practice, shaped by political economy as much as by local cultural needs.
The series explicitly intends to highlight, critique and explore the gaps
between ideological promise, institutional performance and realities of
practice.