Popular communications

This special issue of PLA Notes reflects on Popular Communications, drawing on a workshop held at the Institute of Development Studies in May 2000. The workshop drew together a wide range of international development and community practitioners who use innovative popular communications media in their work. At the workshop, the idea emerged of a 'Well of Inspiration', a collection of stories from experience from the workshop participants which could be shared amongst them and with other popular communications practitioners and activists. This issue thus brings together a range of stories - a first draught from the 'Well' - from places as diverse as Colombia, Tanzania, Burundi, UK, Cambodia, India, Vietnam and Brazil. The stories are about using different media for democratic transformation. But they are also about each person's own learning process, and the obstacles and triumphs along the way. The 'Well' is in itself a process of practising popular communications and building solidarity.