Development Initiatives Program

Details of the organization
World Association for Christian Communication
Canada
International organizations

Information about the project
Development Initiatives Program
DIP
Millions of people on every continent lack a voice to address power inequalities, are underrepresented or misrepresented in the media, have limited access to relevant information and knowledge, and are excluded from participation in decision-making processes. This is a violation of people’s right to express themselves, to be heard by decision-makers, to be represented accurately in the media, and to access the information they need to change their lives. In response, WACC’s Development Initiatives Program (DIP) supports grassroots communication initiatives aimed at people’s empowerment, capacity-building, access to information and knowledge, and advocacy. This rights-based approach to communication means prioritizing improved levels of accessibility and affordability, so that the most marginalized and “least served” are empowered and inequalities reduced. It means enabling communities and vulnerable groups to participate in decision-making processes. And it means monitoring progress in realizing communication rights in order to hold governments and gatekeepers to account. Few of the Sustainable Development Goals address the issue of communication and information poverty. However, a number of the goals are directly linked to the advancement and implementation of communication rights. These are the targets of work carried out under the DIP. They include Goal 1 End poverty in all its forms everywhere; Goal 5 Gender Equality; Goal 8 Decent Work and Economic Growth; Goal 13 Climate Action; Goal 16 Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions; Goal 17 Partnership for the Goals.
Regional implementation
  • Africa
  • Asia and Pacific
  • Latin America and the Caribbean
Ongoing from 01/08/2016 to 31/07/2017

WSIS information
* Ethical dimensions of the Information Society
  • Goal 1: End poverty in all its forms everywhere
  • Goal 5: Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls
  • Goal 8: Promote inclusive and sustainable economic growth, employment and decent work for all
  • Goal 13: Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts
  • Goal 16: Promote just, peaceful and inclusive societies
  • Goal 17: Revitalize the global partnership for sustainable development
  • Programme