Looking Deeper

“Development is more than about money, or machines or good policies – it is about real people and the lives they lead.”
Paul Kagame
President of the Republic of Rwanda

As a development communication student, knowing the characteristics of a development-oriented topic is an imperative. We must be able to identify its difference among any other topics exposed in the mainstream media. Based on the course lectures, researches and interviews I have made, here’s how I can summarize it’s three main characteristics:

A DEVELOPMENT-ORIENTED TOPIC IS...

Anchored towards Positive Social Change

One of the main purposes of Development communication is to create a form of positive social change in any way possible. It must target to create solutions to existing societal problems in the community. It also aims to transform the lives of people through the unfolding of their individual potentials. You must know that the basic purpose of development is to enlarge people’s choices and create an environment for people to enjoy long, healthy and creative lives. Development oriented topics should motivate the people to act on their own and believe in their capabilities in forwarding social change.

2. People-centered and Goal-oriented

Development communication is always pro-people. It reaches out to the marginalized and allows those in the grassroots to talk and be heard. It is important to keep in mind that the people are the key-participants in the communication process. They hold a major role in actualizing these developments. the As such, the topic must adhere to Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and 4Es in Devcom which is Empowerment, Equity, Entrepreneurship, and Environmentalism. These goals set as a blueprint for ensuring the development that we aim to achieve.

3. Scientific/Research-based

For a development topic to be factual and accurate, it must utilize scientific based methods and must be backed up by researches and statistics. It is essential to be critical in gathering resources since we are exposed to wide array of information. Timeliness is also an important factor to consider in writing a development-oriented topic.

References:

pinterest.com/AugustinoPatti

un.am/en/p/mdgs-and-armenia