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I thought those on this list may be
interested in the post below, as it refers to the success in moving toward
setting up "knowledge centres in every village".
BTW, has anyone received a confirmation for
proposals submitted for side events? I had difficulty submitting as it
bounced back a few times and eventually went through.
Elizabeth
Dr. Elizabeth Carll
Focal Point to WSIS International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies; Chair, Media/ICT Working Group UN NGO Committee on Mental Health; Vice President Communications Coordination Committee for the UN -----Original Message----- Success by Bangladeshi
rural women From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]On Behalf Of [EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Saturday, May 07, 2005 12:45 AM To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: [UnnayanNews] Success by Bangladeshi rural women R Sujatha The success by Bangladeshi rural women encouraged a British couple to teach more villagers in making quality video films Pitted against professionally made video films such as those made by BBC, the film by Bangladeshi women stood very little chance. But for Phil Malone and Josephine Rodgers, who trained the women in filmmaking, it was a pleasant surprise when the movie won the International Visual Communications Associations' bronze award last year for effective communication. The couple are now exploring chances of making similar efforts in Tamil Nadu,India. A feature by The Hindu of India . The remote hamlet of Bogra, about 120 km from Bangladesh capital Dhaka, had one television set and about 130 mud houses. Children go to school situated in another village. During monsoon, the village gets cut off from rest of the world. Women are shy and until last year men decided what their women should do with their lives. "The men consider as stigma appearing on video films," recalls Josephine Rodgers. Encouraged by her, women from Thengamara Mohila Sabuj Sangha, a non-governmental organisation in Bangladesh, coaxed the women to learn to handle a digital camera. An agricultural college provided scientific support. When the men learnt that the proposed video film would help other villagers they assisted their women. "The women were absolutely brilliant and it became a community activity," Ms. Rodgers says. After two weeks, the women prepared a script, shot a film and edited it. They then exhibited it to other women in a neighbouring village. They gained more knowledge about sorting and storing paddy seeds, which they showed in their film. Soon word spread and the film was aired by a local television. With no deadline or editorial pressure, the film was an instant success, says Phil Malone. This success encouraged the British couple to teach more villagers to make quality video films. When power supply and telephone connections were down, the NGO assistants messaged queries on mobile phones. "When the supply was restored they e-mailed us," recalls Mr. Malone. Mr. Malone and Ms. Rodgers have been working with communities in over 60 countries, including India, on various projects. Countrywise Communications, a United Kingdom-based multimedia training and consultancy firm, began by making video films. Now it trains communities to address issues through the electronic medium. The Bangladesh experiment was the result of a suggestion by agricultural scientist M.S. Swaminathan, whom they met in China last year. Now, there is a demand for films on improving vegetable and fish production, says Mr. Malone. "In India you will find a VCD player even in villages as the entertainment industry is huge here. The advanced IT sector here can be used to set up knowledge centres in every village. Village volunteers can take over the maintenance of the equipment after the NGO leaves the village," he adds. "If you have a good expectation of what you can achieve then that message could be spread out (by the medium of film)," says Ms. Rodgers.-SAN-Feature Service The organisation can be contacted at [EMAIL PROTECTED] ...........................
SAN-Feature Service
SOUTH ASIAN NEWS-FEATURE SERVICE May 6,2005 |
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