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University of Westminster School of Media, Arts and Design.

Surname: Llano Arias Registration number: 12999990 Module title: Advanced Independent Study Module Leader: Dr. Winston Mano Deadline: 20th December 2010 Name: Valeria Course: MA Communication Module Code: 2MED7H1.Y

Assignment number: 2

Dissertation proposal and Literature Review The scope of participatory communication in democratic processes and citizens participation. A case study: Referendum for the defence of water as a human right in Colombia.

Table of Content
Provisional Working title................................................................................................ 3 Summary ...................................................................................................................... 3 Scope and limitations .................................................................................................... 4 Aims and Objectives ..................................................................................................... 5 Methodology ................................................................................................................. 6 Research questions ...................................................................................................... 7 Provisional work schedule ............................................................................................ 9 List of references (Cited in the dissertation proposal and the literature review) ........... 15 Bibliography revised for the dissertation proposal and literature review ...................... 17 Other titles intended to be revised in the main research.............................................. 19

Provisional Working title The scope of participatory communication in democratic processes and citizens participation. A case study: Referendum for the defence of water as a human right in Colombia.

Summary This research will analyse the role of participatory and development communication within the campaign for the Referendum for the defence of water as a human right in Colombia. The campaign aimed to generate awareness and encourage the involvement of people in the defence of water as a human right in Colombia by promoting a mechanism of citizen participation (Referendum) which in this case was proposing to include the right to water in the National Constitution. The

campaign selected a public communication approach for its communication strategy. There was an intention and a need to promote spaces for discussion and deliberation about the issue of water in Colombia, not just from an economic point of view, but also from a social, political, legal and cultural perspective, based on the premise of water as a common good and human right. Given the circumstances and different actors involved in the campaign, the actions and projects developed made obvious the use of a participatory and development communication approach. This campaign was born from
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grassroot organisations, social and environmentalist movements involving people from different political parties and regions in Colombia. More than 1500 organisations were taking part in the campaign by the time the Referendum was being discussed in the Congress. The participatory and development communication could be evidenced in the campaign in the decision making process within the committees, the mobilisation actions, the empowerment that many communities gained. A

participatory communication approach facilitated to locate the defence of water in Colombia in the new wave of water movements in Latin America.

Scope and limitations This research is derived from the linkage of three areas: participatory development communication, citizens participation in democratic processes, and the Campaign for the Referendum in defence of water as a human right in Colombia. It will be necessary to have a closer inspection of the theories this study is rooted in. Participatory and development communication approach definitely will make a major contribution to the theoretical framework of the dissertation. Participatory development communication emerged in Latin America as a response and critique to the dominant paradigm of development communication in the 1960s which proposed the dissemination of innovations and practices from a technical westernised perspective.

The evolution of this approach of the development communication theory led to remarkable changes in the development practices, however, there are still some questions on how influential and crucial it could be participatory development communication in the processes towards building and enhancing democracy and decision making within communities. It would be worth considering the Latin American context in respect to other practices of participatory communication and the exercise of democracy given the current social and political conditions of the region. The previous knowledge and personal connection with the campaign will facilitate contact with various sources and collection of the majority of the information. However, direct and ethnographic observation cannot take place. Also there might be difficulties in contacting some people from the Congress or people with limited access to the internet. .

Aims and Objectives The present study intends to: Contribute to the evolution the participatory communication approach by analysing critically experiences derived from social movements in Latin America. Determine the importance of analysing democratic and citizen

participation practices such as the Referendum for the water defence as

a human right as a way to build and share knowledge, and to meet and apply the theoretical background. The main objectives of this dissertation will be To analyse the relevance of participatory communication within citizen democratic process which involve active decision-making. To provide evidence of the potentialities and limitations of participatory communication environment. To establish the validity and repercussion of the participatory communication approach in the enhancement of a social movement in defence of water in Colombia. experiences and practices in a contemporary

Methodology The research strategy chosen for this dissertation is the case study which has descriptive and explanatory characteristics. As Yin (2003) mentioned, a case study concentrates on the study of a phenomenon within a context of the real life. The case study will be developed within the Colombian context and it will have various units of analysis: participatory communication as the main theoretical foundation, social movements and communication, citizen

participation in democratic processes and the Referendum in defence of water as a human right.

By exploring the case through constructivist and structuralist approaches the dissertation aims to make sense of real life experiences in participatory communication, and the relationships within democratic processes affected and mediated by power relations, the Colombian context and other political events (Wisker, 2008). Some of the methods during the research process will be: theory examination, interviews, critical analysis of previous experiences, closer inspection of documents of the campaign of the Referendum and legal documents.

Research questions To what extent and how participatory communication has had an impact on democratic processes such as the Referendum for the water defence in Colombia? How participatory communication can support the formation of new social movements in Colombia?. The influence of a participatory communication approach in the exercise of power and democracy from politician and citizens. Conditions for citizenship participation in Colombia for causes like the Referendum for the water defence as a human right.

Provisional chapter headlines Introduction Theoretical Background o Participatory communication: from the 1970s up to present o The Latin American contribution o State-of-the-art of participatory communication o Social movements and communication Methodology Case study: the Referendum in defence of water as a human right o Citizen participation mechanisms in Colombia: the heritage of the National Constitution of 1991. o The campaign for the Referendum in defence of water as a human right. o Participatory communication and the Referendum. o Learning and drawbacks of a popular communication experience. Conclusion Bibliography.

Provisional work schedule


Item Literature review Research Proposal Further Literature Review Sample analysis Report writing 2010 Nov Dec Jan 2011 Feb Mar Apr May Jun

Jul

Aug

Introduction Literature review Research questions and hypothesis Methodology Results and findings Discussion and conclusion Abstract, abbreviation, table of content and appendices Revision Revision and binding

Literature Review

My dissertation will examine in depth through a case study, the role of participatory communication in a democratic process such as the Referendum for the defence of water as a human right in Colombia. The literature reviewed for the dissertation includes issues such as participatory communication, citizens participation in democratic processes, social movements and the Referendum in defence of water as a human right.

Development Communication

Since participatory communication emerged as a criticism to the dominant paradigm of development communication in the 1970s, a revision of this historical background should take place. The dominant paradigm of development communication theory suggested a way to deal with development problems in the third world. Daniel Lerner, Everett Rogers and Wilbur Schramm are the most recognised authors of the origins of development communication theory. They were based on the concept of modernization of societies in order to achieve development; a transformation of the pre-modern societies into ones with technological and social characteristics like some nations of the western world (Moore, 1963 cited on Sparks, 2007). The idea of diffusion of innovations by Everett Rogers (1969) introduced the figures of opinion leaders and change agents as interpersonal networks and social models for influencing the individuals of a social group (Rogers, 1969, p. 27). That is to say that a

common idea of transmission of information and exposure to media to bring

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modern attitudes was perceivable in the first proponents of development communication theory (Waisbord 2009).

Participatory Communication

A redefinition of development was considered in 1970 by the participatory approach in Latin America (ibid, 2009). Participatory communication rejected the idea of development and change introduced by change agents without involving the beneficiaries of the projects and local or rural communities (Rerm, 1989). The Brazilian educator Paulo Freire was a pioneer in participatory For Freire it was essential that the

methods within development projects.

oppressed participate in the revolutionary process with an increasingly critical awareness of their role as subjects of the transformation (Freire, 1970, p.127). Through the encouragement of participation, collective actions, critical thinking and awareness, participatory communication aims that people can address their needs and identify their constraints, rather than merely reach some of the outcomes associated with modernization and progress (Melkote, 2001, p. 339; Altafin, 1991, cited on Waisbord, 2009, p. 20).

The literature about participatory communication has been built from field experiences, academic research and critical criticism about the effectiveness and differentiation with other development communication approaches. The concept of participation, the imbalance of power and the access to information have been key points in the review of participatory communication. In some cases, participatory approach seemed to be a more difficult task to put it in practice than the dominant paradigm (Sparks 2007), reason why the ideas of
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participation were very unpopular among the elites in developing countries (Servaes, 2008). Not always the desired impacts correspond to the translation of the conceptual foundation of participation into policy and practice (Cleaver, 2001). For a wider revision, the work of Colin Sparks (2007) Globalization, development and the Mass media constitutes an academic input since it follows the practical consequences of mass media, development

communication and participation from a theoretical point of view.

For Juan Daz-Bordenave (1994, p. 47) participation is an essential human need, therefore a human right. In complementing this conception of

participation, Alfonso Gumuncio (2001) highlights the political implications of participatory communication in development. Participatory communication in this sense could facilitate political processes for democracy in which voices make themselves heard and communities could learn to make decisions together. One example is the use of citizen participation mechanisms in

Colombia since 1991. These mechanisms have permitted the discussion of topics of popular interest at a local and national level and raised awareness about the importance of the involvement in decision making processes by exercising the right to vote. Roland Colin (1985, cited on Blanchet, 2001,

p.641) states that participation is not a recipe or methodology, but a certain type of functioning of social institutions and cultural creation expressing a social project and therefore a political choice.

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Social Movements The exercise of popular sovereignty is a way of building democracy and empowering citizens to take action in major changes within the society. Social movements are included in these forms of representation of common interests, opinions and organization. According to Arturo Escobar (1992), social

movements are vital for the construction of other visions of democracy, economy and society. In this line, the work of Francesca Polletta is equally important. She looks at the meaning and practice of participatory democracy in social movements. (2002), she In one of her studies, Freedom is an endless meeting organizational issues, decision making factors,

analyses

ambiguities and constraints of participatory democracy through some examples of American social movements. For a closer inspection of social movements in Latin America it is required to consider as well the work by the Latin American Social Science Council (CLACSO) under the direction of Fernando Caldern. When talking about social movements, it appears parallel the role of the media and communication. The carriage of information is a definitive driving force for social movements and their impact on public opinion. For Jess Martn Barbero (2006, p. 284) the new ways of socializing gain relevance when they happen in and through media and new technologies. Nstor Garca Canclini supports the idea by saying that media have started to build a public sphere, to mediate the creation of imaginaries that somehow articulate citizens (ibid).

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Conclusion The review of literature for the present dissertation has provided a special link between the main areas of research: participatory communication,

development, citizen participation in democratic processes, social movements and the referendum in defence of water as a human right. There is still

important amount of information to scan, specifically regarding the Colombian context. It is expected the final result of the analysis of this case to be an academic and practical contribution in the field of development communication and citizens participation.

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List of references (Cited in the dissertation proposal and the literature review) Barbero, J.M. (2006). A Latin American perspective on

communication/cultural mediation. Global Media and communication, vol. 2, pp. 279. Accessed 3rd November 2010.

http://gmc.sagepub.com/content/2/3/279.full.pdf+html Blanchet, K. (2001). Participatory development: between hopes and reality. International social science journal, vol. 53, no. 170, pp. 637. Accessed 12th November 2010. Daz Bordenave, J. (1994). Participative communication as part of building the participative society. Participatory communication: working for change and development. New Delhi; London: Sage. P. 35 48. Escobar, A. and lvarez, S. (eds.) (1992) The Making of social

movements in Latin America: identity, strategy, and democracy. Boulder: Westview Press. Freire, P. (1970). Pedagogy of the oppressed. New York: Continuum International Publishing Group, 2000. Gumuncio Dagrn, A. (2001). Making waves: Stories of Participatory Communication for Social Change. A report to the Rockefeller

Foundation. New York: The Rockefeller Foundation. Accessed 20th November 2010.

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Melkote, S. (2001). Communication for development in the Third World: theory and practice for empowerment. New Delhi; London : SAGE. Polletta, F. (2004) Freedom is an endless meeting. Chicago:

University of Chicago Press. Rerm, C. (1989). Development communication, the search for a participatory paradigm. In: Community Development Journal, vol. 24, no. 4, pp. 264-272. Accessed 29th November 2010.

http://cdj.oxfordjournals.org/content/24/4/264.full.pdf+html Rogers, E. (1995). Diffusion of Innovations, fourth edition. New York: Free Press. Servaes, J.; Malikhao, P. (2008). Development communication approaches in an international perspective. In: Communication for development and social change. . London: Sage. P. 158 179 Sparks, C. (2007). Globalization, development and the mass media. London: SAGE. Waisbord, S. (2009). Family tree of theories, methodologies and Text Prepared for The Available from:

strategies in development communication. Rockefeller Foundation.

http://www.comminit.com/en/node/287575. 2010) Document downloaded in PDF

(Accessed 12th October

Wisker, Gina. (2008). The Postgraduate Research Handbook. Second edition. New York: Palgrave.

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Yin, Robert. (2003). Case study research, design and methods. Third edition. California: Sage.

Bibliography revised for the dissertation proposal and literature review

Axford, B.; Huggings, R. (2001). Public Opinion and postmodern populism: A crisis of democracy or the transformation of democratic governance? In: Public Opinion and democracy: Vox

populi vox Dei?. Cresskill, N.J.: Hampton Press. P. 193 213. Botero, L. (2006). Comunicacin pblica y la construccin de

democracia. UniRevista Vol. 1, N 3, June 2006. Accessed No vember 28th http://www.unirevista.unisinos.br/_pdf/UNIrev_BoteroMontoya.PDF Byrne, A. et al. (2005). Measuring change: a guide to participatory monitoring and evaluation for social change. Developed by the communication for social change consortium. New York. Accessed 20th November 2010. 2010.

http://www.communicationforsocialchange.org/pdf/who_measures_chang e.pdf Calabrese, A. (2005). Communication, global justice and the moral economy. Global Media and communication, vol. 1, pp. 301. Corporacin Ecofondo. (2008). Dos millones de firmas por el agua. Ecofondo, Bogot, Colombia.

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Crigler, A.; Bruhn, K. (1991). Discourses on politics: talking about public issues in the United States and Denmark. Communication and citizenship: journalism and the public sphere. London: Routledge. P. 176 192. Espinosa, M. (2009). La participacin ciudadana como una relacin socio estatal acotada por la concepcin de democracia y ciudadana. In: Andamios. Revista de Investigacin Social. Universidad Autnoma de la Ciudad de Mxico. Vol:5, iss:10, p. 71. Accessed 28th November 2010. http://redalyc.uaemex.mx/src/inicio/ArtPdfRed.jsp?iCve=62811391004 Huesca, R. (2008). Tracing the history of participatory

communication approaches to development: a critical appraisal. In: Communication for development and social change. London: Sage. P. 180 198. Mato, D. (2004). Communication for social change in Latin America: contexts, theories, and experiences. Development in practice, vol. 14, no. 5, pp. 673-679. Servaes, J. (2008). Communication for development approaches of some governmental and non-governmental agencies. In:

Communication for development and social change. . London: Sage. P 201 -218 UNESCO. (2008). Unesco contributions to cultural diversity and communication for development. In: Communication for development and social change. London: Sage. P 219 231.
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UNESCO. (2008). Media Development indicators. Paris: Unesco. Waisbord, S. (2008). The institutional challenges of participatory communication in international aid. Social Identities. vol. 14, no. 4, pp. 505- 522. Accessed 4th November 2010. http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/13504630802212009 White, R. (1994). Participatory development communication as a socio-cultural process. Participatory communication: working for

change and development. New Delhi; London : Sage. White, S. (1994). Introduction, The concept of participation: transforming rhetoric to reality. Participatory communication: working for change and development. New Delhi; London : Sage. P. 15 32.

Other titles intended to be revised in the main research.

Blumler, J.G. & Blumler, J.G. 1995, The crisis of public communication, London ; New York : Routledge, London ; New York. Cook, B. and U. Kothari, (2001). Participation, the new tyranny? London: Zed Books. Cornwall, A. (2002). Making spaces, changing places: situating participation in development. IDS Working Paper 170, Brighton: IDS Davis, A. (2010). New media and fat democracy: the paradox of

online participation. Dean, James. (2006). Communication for Empowerment:

developing media strategies in support of vulnerable groups.

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Practical Guidance Note.

United Nations Development Programme,

Bureau for Developement Policy, Democratic Governance Group. Cardoso, F. (1979). Dependency and development in Latin America. Berkeley: University of California Press. Perspectives on development communication, 1993, New Delhi ; London : Sage. Gandelsonas, C. (2005) Best practices and community asset management projects as vehicles for communicating development. University of Westminster. Mosse, D. (2005). Cultivating Development. London: Pluto. Ogan, C. et al. (2009). Development communication, the State of Research in an Era of ICTs and Globalization. In: International
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Communication Gazzette. Vol. 71(8): 655670. Sage. Accessed November 2010. http://gaz.sagepub.com/content/71/8/655

White, S. (1996). Depoliticising development: the uses and abuses of participation. Development in Practice 6 (1), pp6 15. Williams, G. (2005). Evaluating participatory development: tyranny, power and (re)politicisation. pp.557-578. Third World Quarterly, Vol. 25, No.3,

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