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Participation and Social Mobilization

1996, Promotion & Education

AI-generated Abstract

Participation and social mobilization are critical strategies in UNICEF's development programs, designed to engage communities in achieving specific goals through collective efforts. The effectiveness of these strategies depends on adapting to local contexts, integrating them into program strategies, and fostering advocacy, partnerships, and capacity-building. This issue presents case studies from various countries, showcases participatory research initiatives, and highlights the importance of child and youth participation.

Participation and Social Mobilization octal mobilization is a powerful approach that has long been a hallmark of UNICEF country programmes. It is This special issue explores how social mobilization is being redefined within this new context, in different cultural environments, and across different health issues. Specific case examples from four different countries are presented: Zimbabwe, the Carribbean, Guatemala, Bangladesh. Besides service delivery, UNICEF is also involved in participatory research that involves women and children. An example of this work is described in an article on the on-going research activities associated with the Meena Project in South Asia - a mass communication and social mobilization initiative in which a young girl child serves as a role model to change attitudes and behaviours. Finally, this issue also previews a participatory communication framework as another conceptual tool that could be useful in guiding future communication programming that will be relevant to working with youth. defmed as «a broad scale movement to engage large numbers of people in action for achieving a specific development goal through self reliant effort» and ((a process of bringing together inter-sectoral social allies to raise awareness and demand for a particular development programme, to assist in the delivery of resources and services and to strengthen community participation for sustainability and self-reliance.u This approach, combined with community participation, has also proved to be a very important tool in helping create a supportive environment for sustainable behaviour change. t A review of UNICEF’s past and current activities yield several key lessons to guide future programmes. First, participation and mobilization styles and techniques must be adapted to each country setting and policy framework. For example, the presence or absence of certain factors such as high investments in education and human &dquo;... UNICEP’s greatest learning has been that social mobilization as an intervention strategy is most effective when it is composed of a mix of advocacy, con2anunity participation, partnerships, and capacity-building activities.&dquo; development, strong public policies, visionary leadership, efficient bureaucracies etc. must be considered and will influence the degree of receptivity to mobilization and participation efforts. Secondly, countries that have a tradition of and/or positive previous experiences in participation tend to prove a fertile context for social mobilization activities. Thirdly, to maximize effectiveness, the precepts of participation and social mobilization must be fully integrated into a programme strategy and not be limited to being an add-on components. Finally, UNICEF’s greatest learning has been that social mobilization as an intervention strategy is most effective when it is composed of a mix of advocacy, community participation, partnerships, and capacity-building activities. None are sufficient by themselves; but together create an enabling environment for sustained action and behaviour change. Erma Manoncourt, Ph.D. Guest Editor Communication / Social Mobilization, UNICEF Headquarters. Chief, Programme EDITORIAL This issue of Promotion c Education has been compiled in collaboration with the Programme Communication / Social Mobilization Division of UNICEF Headquarters in New York. The issue follows a series of special sessions which UNICEF organised at the IUHPE’s XVth World Conference in Makuhari, Japan, from August 20 - 25, 1995. For many who are familiar with UNICEE social mobilization is most closely associated with and known for its link to initiatives that began in the mid-1980’s: their successes were based on a dual approach of strengthening the capacity of health ministries and mobilizing non-health partners on behalf of communities. Currently. more attention is being placed on involving stakeholders (all levels, especially local communities) in the planning and decision-making process. This has resulted in an increased emphasis on child and youth participation as articulated in the Convention on the Rights of the Child. UNICEF has entirely sponsored the production costs for this issue, as one of the many collaborative projects which have been and are being developed with the International Union for Health Promotion and Education. For further information about UNICEF programmes in general, or Social Mobilization and Programme Communication in particular, readers may contact: Dr. Erma Vanoncourt. Chief. Programme Communication in particular / Social Mobilization, Programme Division. UNICEF Headquarters. 66 Third Ate., New York. Xll 1001-. C5.B. 3