“Communication for Development (ComDev) is a social process based on dialogue using a broad range oftools and methods. ComDev is about seeking change at different levels including listening, establishing trust, sharing knowledge and skills, building policies, debatingand learning for sustained and meaningful change”.

World Congress on Communication for Development, Rome 2006

What is ComDev?

• Knowledge intensive: knowledge has always been important, but in times of change and innovation, farmers need new ways to learn and to create, share, and disseminate knowledge in order to develop and learn new agricultural techniques and to grow unfamilar crops as they to adapt to changing climate and market conditions or to better understand and participate in markets

• Social: to engage in dialogue, share experiences and coordinate strategies with neighbours, allies and peers.

• Engaged: to have a voice in policy development processes. To engage policymakers, to articulate their demands, and to be heard.

To meet the challenges and opportunities of the 21st century, successful family farming must be:

“A working concept that seeks to frame a wide range of processes, activities, media applications and institutional arrangements that respond in a sustained and inclusive manner to the communication needs of rural populations”.

Rural Communication Services

1. Knowledge sharing and networking 2. Collaborative mechanisms3. Research4. Advocacy 5. Capacity building6. Support to programmes and countries

Possible areas for collaboration under the umbrella of Rural Communication Services: