For the final day of our conference, we had a plenary by Dr. Raka Shome and Dr. Ambar Basu on the topic of “Open Dialogue on Subalternity” and one in the afternoon with our collaborators from HOME and Project X addressing the topic on “Academic-Activist Partnerships in Creating Spaces for Social Change”. We also had 2 panel sessions where the presenters shared their research work on the themes of “Communicating for Social Change” and “A Culture-Centered Approach to Social Change”. We ended the conference with a closing keynote by Mr P.V. Satheesh from the Deccan Development Society.
Plenary 03 – Open Dialogue on Subalternity
Panel 03 – Communicating for Social Change: In Action
Plenary 04 – Academic-Activist Partnerships in Creating Spaces for Social Change
For the second day of our “Communication for Social Change: Intersections of Theory & Praxis” conference, CARE had the honour of having Professor Collins O. Airhihenbuwa as the opening keynote speaker along with Dr. Ambar Basu and Professor Barbara Sharf to deliver the plenary sessions. We also had 2 different panel sessions on “Theoretical Articulations of Social Change” and “Social Change Methodologies” presented by different speakers from around the region.
Leadership for Social Justice in Global Health Communication: Why Culture Matters
We were graced with the presence of Professor Teresa Thompson who shared with us her insights and experiences on various aspects of health communication. Spanning over 3 days, the workshop has given the participants a chance to interact with Professor Thompson and share their related experiences with her. If you have missed the workshop, here is your chance to catch up with what you have missed.
DAY 01 – Health Communication: Interdisciplinary, Multidisciplinary, Transdisciplinary Covering the history of the development of the field of Health Communication and the many perspectives that are brought to bear in the study of the interrelationships of communication, health, and health care delivery, this workshop will also emphasize relevant publication outlets and key trends in the field. Practical application and dissemination of research will be an important focus.
DAY 02 – Health Risk Communication: New Challenges for the World Health Organization The World Health Organization is undertaking the development of empirically-based risk guidelines for addressing health epidemics and natural disasters. This workshop will focus upon the directions this project is taking and how these guidelines will be used.
DAY 02 – Health Communication Campaigns: Audiences, Messages, Effects Health campaign research has grown to be one of the biggest areas of areas of study in Health Communication. This workshop will emphasize theoretical bases for campaigns, the development and testing of messages, and implementation of change initiatives.
DAY 03’s session was not recorded as it was a sharing session between Prof Teresa and the participants.
Join us on 24 October for a captivating journey through the heart of Orissa’s tribal communities with a 120-minute screening of “Wira Pdika.” This poignant documentary unveils the staggering discrimination and injustices faced by these resilient communities at the hands of large mining and metal industries. Following the screening, engage in a Q&A session with filmmaker Samarendra Das and CARE director Prof. Mohan Dutta, as they illuminate the Adivasi struggle for justice and amplification of their voices.
Join us on 4 September, 2013 for a screening of ‘The Dreaming Vendors’, a poignant documentary that follows the lives of two Bangladeshi street vendors. Their aspirations to escape poverty lead them to seek work in Malaysia, only to become ensnared by human traffickers. Following the screening, engage in a Q&A session with filmmaker Ahmed Abid and CARE director Prof. Mohan Dutta.
The Films for Social Change series kicked off on Feb. 25 with a screening of Sandcastle by Singaporean filmmaker Boo Junfeng. “Sandcastle,” the 2010 film by Singaporean director Boo Junfeng, is the first Singaporean film screened at the Cannes Film Festival’s Critics’ Week. The film follows 18-year-old En as he grapples with impending military enlistment and a series of revelations that challenge his worldview, including family dynamics, first love, and his father’s activist past. Through its compelling narrative, “Sandcastle” explores themes of identity and memory against the backdrop of Singaporean society.
Films can be a powerful medium to bring about social change, simply by showing us stories that would otherwise go unnoticed. This week, CARE rubbed shoulders with notable Singaporean filmmakers Boo Junfeng and Tan Pin Pin, who came down to NUS for screenings of their films and to chat with the audience. The common thread running through both of the films screened was one of individual histories which often differ from official accounts. More about the screenings and Q&A’s to come!
