Foreword

One of the key challenges faced by rural development programmes is to address poverty alleviation, food security and environmental sustainability in an integrated manner. Fighting land degradation and desertification, halting deforestation, promoting proper management of water resources and protecting biodiversity require the active participation of rural communities in communication processes.

For many years, however, communication initiatives in support of environmental and natural resources management have mainly focused on the dissemination and adoption of technical packages. These efforts have met with limited impact.

Communication for Development offers an alternative. Its participatory approaches can facilitate dialogue and exchange of knowledge and information on natural resource management, increase the community knowledge-base (both indigenous and modern), promote agricultural practices which are compatible with the environment, and develop awareness in policy makers, authorities and service providers.

This document presents, through stories and examples, the experience of many people and projects worldwide where communication methods and approaches have been applied to address natural resource management problems.

It is a joint effort between IDRC and FAO to help decision-makers, planners and practitioners understand why and how communication for development activities can support sustainable natural resource management and rural development efforts.