“How can we really be a significant person in our community and be the start of social change?” That is the question that struck the mind of Professor Sorhaila Latip-Yusoph, a UPLB College of Development Communication alumna which as a devcom student also tickles my mind that leads me to asking myself, what is the real essence of development communication?and up to the question that is:
What makes something worthy to be called development-oriented?
For most people, this could be such an easy question by abruptly answering it by ‘as long as something involves development then it is development-oriented’ well this can be half-ass true but this answer spikes up the million dollar question:
What really is development?
Which is definitely a question that is harder than first one that leaves us lost and perhaps confused. That is why here I am to give you as readers a glimpse of my thoughts as a devcom student on what for me are the 3 vital things needed in order for a topic to be development-oriented:
1/3 It must be RELEVANT. By this I mean it not only to be timely but it also has to have ‘sense’. Because communication is such a staple aspect and topic that is broadly used by the masses, in order for a topic to be development oriented is it has to be something that leads to change. A good change. Relevance can also be entwined and associated with the problems the society is facing, the tit and tats that involves it up to the solutions to solve it.
2/3 It INVENTS. Not only in the aspect of technology and the sciences but this simply implies that a topic could be categorized as development oriented if it ‘upgrades’ something. May it be in the limelight of how to deprecate poverty up to how to improve the lives of the people living in the community.
3/3 It TOUCHES THE HEART. Cheesy and corny this last characteristics may seem but for me, this is the foundation of all the characteristics that I have mentioned because for me in order for development to start it should first touch the audience’s heart. For once the heart is touched, and the passion for change is ablaze, a hunger for development is started. This could be by means of enlightenment of the writer towards the readers on what should be and what should not and etc.
On the final note, I would like to finish this entry by leaving again the words of Prof. Latip-Yusoph herself:
“Development Communication of yesterday, today, and the future.” This states that development is something we cannot eradicate in our lives that is why we should be more knowledgeable and aware of how to make and know what makes something development oriented. For be a development communicator is a never ending challenge that is both a privilege and a responsibility to take.
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