I totally agree with you. I have been working in the field for many years now, and I do not think that much has changed from one side or he other. Unfortunately, we communicators (I will include myself) lack the necessary humility to accept that what works lies within the community itself and that our role is only to facilitate their own dialogue, analysis and decision making.
I do not want to look to pesimistic because I have seen wonderfully successful integrated projects that begin 10 or 15 years ago and that are still on-going.
I still ask myself about the concept of communication for development... don't you think that development through communication could meant something more realistic than the latter?
I also believe that people react to a need, and not the other way around. Take water projects for instance. Nobody can live without it. So, when you facilitate social mobilization around it (showing the real value of it, watershed care, organization, community work in the construction), it works! and you can leave in peace knowing that you have saved some lives and contribute with a one little stone of a great building.
Yes, I think we have a long way to go when advocating for communication when technicians design "development projects". It has to be done fromthe beginning and not be called upon when they want a "communication campaign" on the TV or the radio. There is much more to that... not that I disregard of those (actually I am very good at using them) but you shouldn't abuse them. We always come in too late, or almost always. I repeat, I do not want to sound too pesimistic. Actually, I am not. I do believe that this first Congress on Communication for Development should not be just another COngress. It should be used to dialogue with humility and sincerety and not just another world meeting. We have a good chance to hear good examples, what works and what doesn't so that we all learn and accept our mistakes the same way we take the glory when it comes.
Mr. Feek, thanks for you attention and congratulations to you for this initiative which I find of absolute value.
Best regards, Patricia Cervantes