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.
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