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Beyond the theoretical: Visualising social norms theory

August 12, 2018

The following article considers the role pictorial methods can play in supporting a social norms approach. The article is based on C4D Support and the C4D Network’s practical experience gained through a number of social norms focused projects.

As social norms theory increasingly becomes the conceptual base for many initiatives, getting to grips with the social norms approach is becoming essential for communication for development (C4D) practitioners. Knowing what constitutes a social norms approach, as well as how to design or commission one, are important emerging technical skills.

However, it’s also important that the practice of developing and implementing a social norms approach does not stay in the realm of C4D practitioners only. To be really effective it should be a process that any informed group of people can do, whether on a community level or institutional level.

After all analysing ourselves is something very human and very common. It is just common sense, and social norms theory offers a set of analytical concepts, and off the back of this analysis, it suggests some good ideas for helping to make positive change happen.

For social norms approaches to be effective they should be tools for as many change agents as possible. So how can we ‘popularise’ this theory and process without dumbing it down? How can we advance capacity development in social norms theory in a way that makes it useful for all of us?

One way is to ‘visualise’ social norms approaches, to embed them in story scenarios, and to lessen the centrality of the academic words through more accessible definitions and explanations of the central analytical ideas.

In a small way, we at C4D Support and the C4D Network have been trying to do this through a number of social norms focused projects. Most recently we have worked with UNICEF Nigeria through a nationwide capacity development project on social norms approaches to counter violence against children.

This project is special because unlike so many interventions it is not only the experts doing the analysis and then creating campaigns, it is about helping to build the know-how of many different people throughout government and civil society to analyse and create their own social norms interventions as part of a national strategy. People from federal, state and local government, and people from diverse NGOs and small community groups – all with very different contexts, understandings and backgrounds.

Against this background a wordy training about ‘pluralistic ignorance’ and ‘behavioural determinants’ did not seem right so through trial and error we worked to drill down to the core ideas, and then tried to visually play-out these ideas in familiar settings. We know that such pictorial methods are not enough for a thorough technical learning (there needs to be the depth of input through academia), but such methods can be a supplement or an introduction.

By introducing these ideas and skills such visuals can hopefully provide a gateway, breaking down some of the barriers between experts and non-experts when it comes to social norms analysis. They can help people to get the core concepts and consider how to apply these strategies locally themselves, and most of all they highlight how social norms approaches can be usefully applied to advancing social change right where people are – here and now, not just theoretically.

It would be valuable to see how other people have pictured social norms concepts and scenarios; if you have any examples or leads about this please do share via [email protected].

 

Filed Under: Children, NETWORK, Network Showcase, Nigeria, Social Norms Analysis, Social Norms Highlights

Launch of our Network Yearbook and 2016/17 Network Mapping Study (March 2017)

October 8, 2017

Our March Focus session saw the launch of two exciting new C4D Network resources – the C4D Network Yearbook and our 2016/17 Network Mapping Study.

Our C4D Yearbook presents an overview of the Network – from country chapters to our current partnership projects – and highlights all our upcoming projects, themes and events for 2017. If you would like to play a larger role in the Network the Yearbook also offers suggestions for how to get involved. This is our first Network Yearbook and it was put together in recognition of our growth from small beginnings as a consultants’ lunch group ten years ago, to the present global network of over 3,000 C4D members, with emerging country chapters and strong collaborative energy and great potential. The full Yearbook can be viewed here.

Our 2016/17 C4D Network Mapping Study is an overview of our ‘C4D Where You Are’ mapping conducted by Network members around the world. The findings of this Study are the result of various Network Country Chapter Meet-Ups between September 2016 and January 2017, and responses to a country-specific online survey from nearly 50 countries. Discussions and responses have been gathered in English, French, Spanish and Arabic; and where possible – and with the assistance of a dedicated team of Network volunteers and contractors – these have been translated, transcribed and synthesised. And this is the result – a Study that presents a country snapshot of ‘Communications for Development’ around the world, from the perspective of Network members who are working in C4D or teaching it, studying it, supporting it and on occasion commissioning it. We have valued doing this research, and thank all the Network members who have contributed to it. We hope to carry out similar research annually to collectively see where we are and how we are improving what we do for greater development and human rights impact. The full Study can be viewed here and shorter key findings overview can be viewed here.

 

A wide range of people have tirelessly advised and worked on the evolution of the Network and we would like to say a big thank you to all members of the C4D Network for supporting its development over the past ten years. Onwards and upwards!

Filed Under: NETWORK, Network Showcase

‘Sounds of Health’ (C4D Network podcast 2016)

October 18, 2016

Our ‘Sounds of Health’ podcast brings together a range of fantastic contributions from C4D Network members – stories and songs which demonstrate C4D’s key role in the health sector across the world. We travel from the Solomon Islands, with a song on Dengue awareness, to Somaliland, to hear how a midwife receives vital training through medical films. On the way, we meet Mr Plan Plan fighting Ebola, hear about breastfeeding campaigns in Pakistan, and much more. Presented and edited by Rashawn Thompson for the C4D Network.

Click here to listen and download for free!

Filed Under: Audio-visual, Ebola, Health, NETWORK, Network Showcase, Nutrition Tagged With: C4D Network, Podcast

The use of new ICTs to support HIV and sexual health, targeting youth and adolescents – case studies and report (C4D Network 2015)

April 26, 2016

This report, commissioned by UNICEF, aims to highlight the use, potential and impact of ICTs in sexual and reproductive health and HIV interventions targeting adolescents and young people. It highlights the lessons learnt from 11 case studies from across Africa, and illustrates the role of innovation in the use of ICT for HIV prevention. The report serves as a useful learning guide for future design and implementation of future programming on HIV and sexual health among adolescents.

Click here for the full report: C4D Network – REPORT & CASE STUDIES on ICT for HIV Prevention 28.11.15

Filed Under: *INTER-PERSONAL ROUTES, Behaviour Change Communication, Case Studies, Ethiopia, Health, HIV/AIDS and SRH, ICT4D (Information Communication Technologies for Development), Kenya, Network Showcase, Nigeria, Publications (published in print and/or online), Social Behaviour Change Communication (SBCC), Social Media, Tanzania, Zimbabwe Tagged With: Mobile, SMS, Youth, Youth Health

‘Sounds of Peace’ (C4D Network podcast launched as part of World Radio Day 2016)

March 6, 2016

Ranging from the foothills of the Himalayas, to the meditteranean, to radio stations across the African continent… to celebrate World Radio Day 2016, the C4D Network produced the ‘Sounds of Peace’ podcast – with vibrant contributions from C4D Network members across the globe, this podcast explores the role of radio, songs and conversations in peacebuilding.

Click here to listen and download for free!

Filed Under: Audio-visual, NETWORK, Network Showcase, Peace & Social Cohesion, Peace Highlights Tagged With: C4D Network, Podcast

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