|
How does change happen? . . . in local communities, in businesses, in non-governmental organisations or even in global networks the issues are the same. At the heart of them is communication, shared knowledge and shared understanding.
I’ve worked with large and small organisations, in community and corporate situations, and I have a body of experience in how communications can help people work together, and in how new digital media can be a valuable part of this process. The locations and applications are diverse – from global PLCs to disaster-affected villages; but the principles are surprisingly similar.
I work with groups who really want to make a difference. You will find case studies and illustrations on this site - as well as resources which reflect the fact that I am also researching more effective use of communications in communities to achieve change.
Theory into Practice: Building a network and galvanising a global team to reduce the global impact of disasters
It's 10-30 PM and I receive a text. It's Ibrahim Ceesay from Gambia. He wants to know if I've got an email he sent endorsing a global survey he participated in which we're preparing to take to a forthcoming UN conference. It matters enough to him to reach me by both email and text. He's one of thousands of people in over 400 organisations from 33 countries collaborating in the 'Global Network for Disaster Reduction'. Together we're working to bring the views of over 7000 people at community level to the attention of world leaders through the 'Views from the Frontline' survey. It's been an intense project - so intense I can't even sit down to write it up (and it is forming the focus of my doctoral research) until after the UN-ISDR Global Platform on 15-19 June at which we are presenting the story.
It's the current focus of the wider work of the emerging Global Network. In the second phase it gets even more interesting, as the network itself defines what happens next, and we try to engage people in the ordinary communities around the world exposed to major and everyday disasters as active participants. You can see early signs of life - like the Global Network Blog - at www.globalnetwork-dr.org. It's all about community, communication and change . . .
The Credit Crunch on the TanZam highway
Financial chaos may damage dealers on Wall Street, but the human impact of easy credit hits home hard in countries which are unlikely to be bailed out to the tune of billions by Bush. We recently drove the main highway through Zambia and Tanzania – the TanZam highway, gathering material for three projects. It’s the main trade route linking landlocked Zambia to the major Tanzanian port of Dar es Salaam. Because we already had contacts in towns and villages along the way, as well as in both capitals, we were able to get some East African views on climate change, energy, economics, food and what comes next. Ironically countries which have been castigated for taking on debt burdens and made to pay time and again look on as financial recklessness on a massive scale perpetrated by their critics is underwritten by the taxpayer.
Views from the TanZam Highway.
talking about different reactions to images is one way people start to learn from difference. What's your take? whatisit@terrygibson.org
click here
The small print: See legal details of the business here
|
