The world has today become a global village, thanks to the wonders of Information and communications technology (ICT) which is creating economic, social, and political empowerment opportunities for poor people in the developing world. Poverty anywhere in the world affects humanity everywhere and the MDGs unites the world in an attempt to rid humanity of the dehumanising effects of poverty. The fact that central to my idea is media assistance in the realisation of the MDGs and the fact that poverty anywhere affects humanity everywhere is an indication that my project if implemented is bound to bring about a better world.
Allow me to repeat my idea here……”My idea revolves around harnessing the power of broadcast media to improve the lives of individuals in Kenya’s poor communities through the creation and ownership of a Non-profit, Citizen-centred and community driven radio and TV media house, Umoja FM and TV Station to support the alleviation of poverty along the MDGs goals. Umoja is a Kiswahili word for Togetherness, Oneness, Unity, and Harmony. In religious circles it is referred to as Fellowship. In a practical sense, it is a word that demonstrates Community Spirit and social capital. We will initially focus on radio as this is by far the most accessible medium for poor people in Kenya as much of the developing world”.
My idea is a combination of both Communication for Social Change and Communication for Empowerment. Communication for Social Change is a process of public and private dialogue through which people themselves define who they are, what they want and how they will work collectively with their communities to get what they want and need in order to improve their own lives. It is based on principles of justice, equity, tolerance, diversity, unleashing previously unheard voices, local ownership and participation. Communication for Empowerment is an approach that puts the information and communication needs and interests of disempowered and marginalized groups at the centre of media support. The aim of Communication for Empowerment is to ensure that the media has the capacity and capability to generate and provide the information that marginalized groups want and need and to provide a channel for marginalized groups to discuss and voice their perspectives on the issues that most concern them.
My idea will allow sharing of knowledge and information across the board. The development processes that the Tiger Economies went through will be shared with the Kenyans. Researchers will be given an opportunity to share their results, these will be inclusively debated, discussed and implemented by the common man. It should be noted that genuine involvement and participation can only occur if the information needs of all the people including those at the margins of societies are met and the voices of those most affected by development decisions are heard. This is the platform I seek to provide.
From the industrial revolution to the agrarian revolution, to the information age to the knowledge era, the media has played a critical role in disseminating best practise and helping humanity adopt new skills through technology transfer. And since no country, continent or region is an island, and humanity is one, my idea will have ripple and multiplier effect on all mankind.
[Directing w/o Borders] Such a thorough response, is well (deeply) appreciated as well as informing "&" inspiring. As a "prominent" playwrite, poet & director, do you find that the indivuduals (& actors) you most enjoy working with (thanks to their willingness to be influenced by you) are those who possess 'youth', either physically &/or within their fundamental nature to portray the depths of their hearts [as children do], for the cause (scene) "without" apprehension (or many takes/retries)?
What would you attribute your ability to, to help the scene or cause, find a balance within the time alloted? Would you say those you work with 'on a daily basis' are very or only somewhat willing to have you direct them (& they you with their acting 'skills'), &/or do find that they feel or honestly express to you that they too feel free to adlib on the spot to bring your direction to the plot-point you envision?
As a screenwriter & director myself, i find that my actors often take the scene in the direction most familiar to them & their innate nature(s), & i allow it given that, before the day is done, they will have reciprocated the scene we set out to express, while at the same time giving me an added, unseen (un-scene) perspective, adding to the overall production. For this, i am blessed greatly!
Thank you for bringing your clarity to the WEmeDIA-tab-El (table) & discussion(s) of how to "Use media to Inspire a BETTER WORLD", yet please do not stop there. Will you add your expertise of directing [&/or observing 'in detail' the groups or individuals as a template of] humanity, to the other entries?
i am certain they will appreciate it as much as i do enjoy reading & commenting on their dreams/projects/entries. Peace~!
In the name/script of Directing others w/o Borders,
a.
PS: Directing without Borders - allowing the actor to get to know you (director) through exhausting actors' perspective of how to portray the scene at hand, from past/present experiences, helps them invent/create a new, unknown-persona, on the spot; living through the character, is exploring an unknown life/poetry within the self, in the other!
Thanks AB again for your compliments and illuminating pieces of advice.
Yes as you write I work mostly with the youth, and in writing or directing plays or even in writing poems, one has to be deeply objective, because you seek to communicate a moral, you seek to reach the hearts, minds and souls for the general good of humanity…remembering always that humanity is one.
You write in part, quote…. “…..or within their fundamental nature to portray the depths of their hearts [as children do], for the cause (scene) "without" apprehension (or many takes/retries)?” asking of those I work with. I wanted to inform you that as a development practitioner, the principle of participatory involvement of those being helped to break the poverty trap has taught me to respect democratic space. Remember what we commonly say, that sustainable development is possible and effective if those on the “receiving end” as viewed as stakeholders not mere objects to be helped, hence today’s development paradigm community-driven development. What I am belabouring to say here is that I give those I work with the freedom to express themselves in their best possible way to help us understand the diversity that humanity is, and the imperative homogeneity that development and progress demands to be realised. Looking at my idea for a “Media Driven Sustainable Development” you realise that I seek to provide a platform for the vulnerable to be part of development processes that seek to improve their lives. In the same way theatre as a medium of expression helps to open up minds of both the audience and the actors/players. I let them understand the script before we embark on acting the same, and by the way whether as a playwright, poet or director, I am only a first amongst equals.
Your question: Would you say those you work with 'on a daily basis' are very or only somewhat willing to have you direct them (& they you with their acting 'skills'), &/or do find that they feel or honestly express to you that they too feel free to adlib on the spot to bring your direction to the plot-point you envision?
My answer: As a first amongst equals, the actors and I work together rather than me working with “them”. Everyone has something to bring to the table, so to speak, it’s not about give and take...it’s about patching ideas to create a change; and we always succeed.
I fully agree with you on your role as a screenwriter & director, it shows you too respect democratic and professional space. And thanks for your inspiration, I shall try to bring my expertise to help realise the MDGs, I believe this is the way for the world to create “level living ground” for the numerous excluded and dehumanised people worldwide….it’s about providing opportunities, the media though dissemination and sharing of ideas can….let’s go, support my idea.
Comments
Please explain why your idea/project, is suited/perfect to using... 'media' ...to bring about A BETTER "WORLD"...the entire planet...? Thanks! a.
Thanks AB for your question.
The world has today become a global village, thanks to the wonders of Information and communications technology (ICT) which is creating economic, social, and political empowerment opportunities for poor people in the developing world. Poverty anywhere in the world affects humanity everywhere and the MDGs unites the world in an attempt to rid humanity of the dehumanising effects of poverty. The fact that central to my idea is media assistance in the realisation of the MDGs and the fact that poverty anywhere affects humanity everywhere is an indication that my project if implemented is bound to bring about a better world.
Allow me to repeat my idea here……”My idea revolves around harnessing the power of broadcast media to improve the lives of individuals in Kenya’s poor communities through the creation and ownership of a Non-profit, Citizen-centred and community driven radio and TV media house, Umoja FM and TV Station to support the alleviation of poverty along the MDGs goals. Umoja is a Kiswahili word for Togetherness, Oneness, Unity, and Harmony. In religious circles it is referred to as Fellowship. In a practical sense, it is a word that demonstrates Community Spirit and social capital. We will initially focus on radio as this is by far the most accessible medium for poor people in Kenya as much of the developing world”.
My idea is a combination of both Communication for Social Change and Communication for Empowerment. Communication for Social Change is a process of public and private dialogue through which people themselves define who they are, what they want and how they will work collectively with their communities to get what they want and need in order to improve their own lives. It is based on principles of justice, equity, tolerance, diversity, unleashing previously unheard voices, local ownership and participation. Communication for Empowerment is an approach that puts the information and communication needs and interests of disempowered and marginalized groups at the centre of media support. The aim of Communication for Empowerment is to ensure that the media has the capacity and capability to generate and provide the information that marginalized groups want and need and to provide a channel for marginalized groups to discuss and voice their perspectives on the issues that most concern them.
My idea will allow sharing of knowledge and information across the board. The development processes that the Tiger Economies went through will be shared with the Kenyans. Researchers will be given an opportunity to share their results, these will be inclusively debated, discussed and implemented by the common man. It should be noted that genuine involvement and participation can only occur if the information needs of all the people including those at the margins of societies are met and the voices of those most affected by development decisions are heard. This is the platform I seek to provide.
From the industrial revolution to the agrarian revolution, to the information age to the knowledge era, the media has played a critical role in disseminating best practise and helping humanity adopt new skills through technology transfer. And since no country, continent or region is an island, and humanity is one, my idea will have ripple and multiplier effect on all mankind.
Aloha John!
[Directing w/o Borders] Such a thorough response, is well (deeply) appreciated as well as informing "&" inspiring. As a "prominent" playwrite, poet & director, do you find that the indivuduals (& actors) you most enjoy working with (thanks to their willingness to be influenced by you) are those who possess 'youth', either physically &/or within their fundamental nature to portray the depths of their hearts [as children do], for the cause (scene) "without" apprehension (or many takes/retries)?
What would you attribute your ability to, to help the scene or cause, find a balance within the time alloted? Would you say those you work with 'on a daily basis' are very or only somewhat willing to have you direct them (& they you with their acting 'skills'), &/or do find that they feel or honestly express to you that they too feel free to adlib on the spot to bring your direction to the plot-point you envision?
As a screenwriter & director myself, i find that my actors often take the scene in the direction most familiar to them & their innate nature(s), & i allow it given that, before the day is done, they will have reciprocated the scene we set out to express, while at the same time giving me an added, unseen (un-scene) perspective, adding to the overall production. For this, i am blessed greatly!
Thank you for bringing your clarity to the WEmeDIA-tab-El (table) & discussion(s) of how to "Use media to Inspire a BETTER WORLD", yet please do not stop there. Will you add your expertise of directing [&/or observing 'in detail' the groups or individuals as a template of] humanity, to the other entries?
i am certain they will appreciate it as much as i do enjoy reading & commenting on their dreams/projects/entries. Peace~!
In the name/script of Directing others w/o Borders,
a.
PS: Directing without Borders - allowing the actor to get to know you (director) through exhausting actors' perspective of how to portray the scene at hand, from past/present experiences, helps them invent/create a new, unknown-persona, on the spot; living through the character, is exploring an unknown life/poetry within the self, in the other!
Thanks AB again for your compliments and illuminating pieces of advice.
Yes as you write I work mostly with the youth, and in writing or directing plays or even in writing poems, one has to be deeply objective, because you seek to communicate a moral, you seek to reach the hearts, minds and souls for the general good of humanity…remembering always that humanity is one.
You write in part, quote…. “…..or within their fundamental nature to portray the depths of their hearts [as children do], for the cause (scene) "without" apprehension (or many takes/retries)?” asking of those I work with. I wanted to inform you that as a development practitioner, the principle of participatory involvement of those being helped to break the poverty trap has taught me to respect democratic space. Remember what we commonly say, that sustainable development is possible and effective if those on the “receiving end” as viewed as stakeholders not mere objects to be helped, hence today’s development paradigm community-driven development. What I am belabouring to say here is that I give those I work with the freedom to express themselves in their best possible way to help us understand the diversity that humanity is, and the imperative homogeneity that development and progress demands to be realised. Looking at my idea for a “Media Driven Sustainable Development” you realise that I seek to provide a platform for the vulnerable to be part of development processes that seek to improve their lives. In the same way theatre as a medium of expression helps to open up minds of both the audience and the actors/players. I let them understand the script before we embark on acting the same, and by the way whether as a playwright, poet or director, I am only a first amongst equals.
Your question: Would you say those you work with 'on a daily basis' are very or only somewhat willing to have you direct them (& they you with their acting 'skills'), &/or do find that they feel or honestly express to you that they too feel free to adlib on the spot to bring your direction to the plot-point you envision?
My answer: As a first amongst equals, the actors and I work together rather than me working with “them”. Everyone has something to bring to the table, so to speak, it’s not about give and take...it’s about patching ideas to create a change; and we always succeed.
I fully agree with you on your role as a screenwriter & director, it shows you too respect democratic and professional space. And thanks for your inspiration, I shall try to bring my expertise to help realise the MDGs, I believe this is the way for the world to create “level living ground” for the numerous excluded and dehumanised people worldwide….it’s about providing opportunities, the media though dissemination and sharing of ideas can….let’s go, support my idea.