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Entering the university without any idea of what a Development Communicator is and should be is a difficult thing. I even asked myself, “Is it really for me? Is it really what I want?”. Whenever my relatives ask me if what is Development Communication is, I don’t know what to answer and how to explain it.

But little by little I’m having a glance of what a Development Communication is through the DevCom courses I’m taking in. And as a Development Communicator-in-training, I came up with the top 3 characteristics of a development-oriented topic:

Community-based

A development-oriented topic must focus on community for they are the ones to be affected by such developments. It should primarily address the needs and problems of the community and eventually give solutions for the betterment of the lives of people residing in community.

Value-laden

Possessing a value is a must in identifying a development-oriented topic. It should prioritize to have a greater purpose for the bigger community, which means having a purpose is having a mission or goal to achieve and that should focus on the welfare of the many. If one can’t be value-laden, then it would worthless and won’t give any help for the people.

Progress-oriented

It must create a progress for it to be considered as a development-oriented topic. A progress that can eventually benefit the community especially the marginalized sectors. It should look on angles in which it gives development that can lead to progressive community.

Luckily, I got a chance to interview Ms. Danessa Lorenz Lopega, a BS Development Communication student Batch 2018, on what are the top 3 characteristics of a development-oriented topic:

Having all these characteristics in mind, we can critically assess topics or articles which are in lined with development.

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Development; where everything seems to revolve for a DevComm student; lectures, exercises, and the like. From the very first week in this course, we were asked to choose our news beats then come up with our own development-oriented topics. I asked myself, “Ano daw? Development-oriented? Paano?” I wondered how exactly should I come up with my own topics? So, I did what most would do, search the internet for online references and was able to have an idea. Moreover, I was also able to catch some from our lecture class. To sum it all up, here’s my criteria if a topic is development oriented:

1. Purpose-driven

Topics for our works should have a purpose. This allows us to determine who we particularly want to reach and send our message to. It will also determine how we should construct our composition to align it to our audience.

2. Relevant and Stimulating for the Audience

Works produced will be useless if we can’t reach our targeted audience. Thus, we have to think of topics that are compelling to read/talk about. To achieve this, our topic should be relevant. It should be timely/up-to-date for everyone to relate to and to stimulate reactions or response.

3. Geared Towards Community Upliftment

A development-oriented topic should be geared towards community upliftment. It should be able to address issues in our community. It should also spread awareness and promote social mobilization. And, another statement I always hear in our lectures is that “it should be able to help the marginalized people in our community.”

To sum it all up, We should understand that we are writing “to the people and for the people.” Thus, we have to make sure that we produce significant outputs. However, as we are still development communicators in training, I hope that I may grow more and be able to produce these kinds of outputs. Having these three characteristics as only my starting point since further engagement to this educational program may change or improve these criteria.

Back in her hometown, they speak the ‘malambing’ language of the Ilonggos—Hiligaynon. But as someone who was exposed to different cultures and literatures, she also speaks Karay-a –the language spoken in Antique province and in some parts of Iloilo province, a bit of Capiznon –the language of those who live in Capiz, Filipino, and English. She loves her first home—the trees, the crowd, the buildings and even the traffic.

She was deeply in love and was loved back home.

Despite the deep connection between her and her culture, she had to leave. She had to chase her dreams and learn from the very best. She had to sacrifice being far away by the people who knew and understood her very well. In the airport, she had to stop herself from shedding tears in front of her parents who taught her how to work hard, respect other beings, become patient and humble. She had to build a wall around her heart when she left; because she didn’t want to be hurt in a place full of strangers.

Ray Anne is her name and she was born in the year 2000. This energetic and independent lady grew up in the beautiful and peaceful province of Iloilo, together with her adoring parents and her two siblings.

Through the hard work and efforts of her mother and father, they were all educated in well-known and reputable institutions, given what they had needed to grow up and were constantly taught lessons that molded them to become what they are today.

Currently, Ray Anne is taking up her dream course, BS Development Communication, in the University of the Philippines Los Baños. Being 619 kilometers away from her home, she tries to conquer the greatest waves she’s about to face. Ray Anne may leave her first home behind for a while, but she is very eager to learn about the different cultures she will be in. Very soon, this lone soldier in the battlefield will be ready to overcome more obstacles and even dodge a few bullets. For the meantime, Ray Anne hopes to find a home in this place until she is ready to go back to her first home and reach out to those who need a helping hand.

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When someone speaks of development, many of us picture it out as something connected to high-rising infrastructures and modern facilities. Well that is one face of development. But what is development in the perspective of the development communication students/alumni?

            As a media writer that is still in training, it is necessary to know what development-oriented topics are in the first place. To begin with, let us enumerate its top three characteristics.

            Ma’am Trina Mendoza, a UPLB Development Communication instructor on an interview says that for it to be considered as development-oriented topic it must discuss about the vulnerable poor or the marginalized sectors of the society, talk about people empowerment,and lastly it must present transformation. Similarly, Ms. Theyla, a Bachelor of Science in Development Communication undergraduate added on a statement that a development-oriented topic should be pro-poor, people-centered, sustainable and it should respect the diversity.

1. Pro-poor. This is one of the characteristics of a development-oriented topic for they are the most in need of development interventions. The vulnerable poor are the center of the topic.
2. People-centered or People Empowerment. Another characteristic is capacitating people that will enable them to make decisions for themselves and to take actions of their own. In order to achieve development, one should have that desire to make sustainable change.
3. Presenting Transformation. Improvement of an individual or group of people in a society. As said earlier, one face of development is the establishment of infrastructures that will cater the needs of the people.

Additionally, it should

• Respect Diversity. In each region or even place, there is a specific culture, therefore, respect for their values and beliefs are to be considered when classifying a development-oriented topic.
• Be Sustainable. Development is not a one-night journey, thus, another characteristic of a development-oriented topic is being continual.

Those are just some of the characteristics of a development-oriented topic. The rest will be untold as your journey being development communication student unfolds. Live, help and inspire people through your development-based articles.

What makes a topic development-oriented?

Writing is one thing. But writing for development is another. As development communicators, it is our duty to relay the right information to the right audience. To achieve and ensure effective communication, we do not only need the right tools and strategies, but most importantly, the right topic. Where do we start?

In an alumna’s perspective

 

»According to Ms. Liane Angeline Silla (BSDC-Class of 2009), a development-oriented topic addresses and alleviates societal problems. Anatomically, it functions like an eye which has the capacity to detect and mirror reality and the various dilemmas of its people. As development communicators, we write about everything but we do not write about just anything. We write about something – and this something must be relevant to our present and our people.

In a DevCom freshie’s perspective

 

»As a freshman, my description of a development-oriented topic is the same before and after I entered UP. For me, a development-oriented topic is dialogic. The process does not end when a topic is published through various media but it circulates even to the deepest realms of the audience’s consciousness. Just like the mouth, it speaks about something and hopes that it’s message echoes into the ears of it’s audience. It should activate social change through awakening a sense of participation among the people. We do not just simply write but we write for a feedback – we write for action to happen.

In an expert’s perspective

 

“We have the technical content but it is not our only advantage…because we have the heart”

– Dr. Jamias

»I guess what makes development communication different from the others is that we are in this field for a higher purpose. Much more that writing, speaking and crafting visual tools, we are called to empower and emancipate a specific audience. A development-oriented topic should be purposive. It should cater the needs of our society and align it with specific goals and objectives which promotes inclusive and sustainable development. To put it into Dr. Serlie Jamias’ (Vice Chancellor for Community Affairs and one of the 2018 CDC Outstanding Alumni Awardees) words, it should have a heart. Indeed, we do not speak for ourselves, we speak for the people.

 

 

Templates made on Canva. Layout by Sophia Legion.

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The writing process is difficult but looking for something to write about is on another level extremity. Development communication seeks for social change, to empower the life marginalized people. As a development communicator, the first obstacle encountered is searching for a development-oriented topic. Being a freshman student and having only minimal knowledge, questions are continuously rummaging to my mind such as how can I find a development-oriented topic or when will you consider your topic, a development-oriented? The never-ending questions inside my head were finally answered with the help of more experienced development communicators and through data gathering. Here are the three characteristics of a Development-oriented topic

Purposive
A topic is useless if it doesn’t have a purpose. Development is associated with purpose; you cannot bring development if you don’t have a set of goals you’re planning to achieve. In 2009, Sue George narrates in her article that a development-oriented topic aims to achieve larger goals such as improvement of education, justice, enhancement of medical health and most importantly uniting people together.

For the People
Communication that seeks the development of the people. As a developmental communicator, people are our top priority, we are the voice of those people. Deep beneath the well of societal issues, people lie in here and as a development communicator, we serve as the voice that will relay and cater to their needs. “Know thy audience”

Relevant
A developmental-oriented topic address issues and topics that mainstream media don’t usually talk about. These are subjects that are either barriers or opportunities that hinder or further the development of a community.

As a development communicator in progress, we should adhere to the different characteristics of a development-oriented topic in order to lend a hand and change the life of people who are stuck in beneath the pit. It is in our hands to bring growth in our country.

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Looking for a development-oriented topic is no joke. Not all issues or events circulating in our everyday lives have the qualities of being development-oriented. From the testimonies I have read from Twitter and heard from my DevCom professors, I believe that the complexities of finding a development-oriented topic will stay with me during my years in DevCom.

The past lectures and discussions we had from our DevCom courses already gave me an initial idea on the characteristics of a development-oriented topic. However, the ideas I had still lack some information I need to fully grasp the whole thought of the word development-oriented.

To have a greater understanding on this, Ms. Rica Mae Valencia, an alumna of CDC Batch 2016, have enumerated the top 3 characteristics of a development-oriented topic.

1. a Development-oriented topic is people-oriented.

It focuses on issues that a certain group of people, specifically the marginalized, experience or affect their daily lives.

2. a Development-oriented topic is participatory in nature.

Before a development-oriented project or initiatives are implemented, a need’s assessment is normally conducted, wherein the subject (people) are consulted first.

3. a Development-oriented topic uses the audiences’ language.

It usually uses Layman’s language, so that, even those who were not able to finish formal schooling can understand the topic’s content or objective of the outputs.

The qualities of a development-oriented topic are not only limited to the ideas listed above. However, these perceptions of Ms. Rica Mae Valencia can be greatly used as a stepping stone to discover more ideas about the issues circulating in the kind of world we’re living in. It is on us, the future development communicators, to unveil the deeper meaning of what a development-oriented topic is.