The Africa Conference on Development Journalism has issued a resounding call to action, urging efforts to eradicate poverty, safeguard the environment, and foster prosperity for all by harnessing the power of development communication.
In a communique released after its two-day annual seminar organized by the Africa Media Development Foundation (AMDF) in Kaduna, the conference emphasized the imperative of collaboration and the promotion of inclusive practices that bolster sustainability, paving the way for a more promising future.
Highlighting that development communication serves not only to foster mutual understanding among diverse stakeholders but also as a guiding light steering individuals, communities, and nations toward a collective vision and a sustainable future, the conference underscored its crucial role.
Additionally, the conference urged the forging of partnerships among researchers, institutions, and communities while advocating for the incorporation of scientific evidence into policy-making processes.
The communique said, “This would contribute to the creation of policies that are not only well-informed but also aligned with the aspirations of the SDGs.”
The conference suggested that collaborative efforts should be geared by the media, CSOs, and educational institutions toward promoting civic education, public awareness, and participatory processes in nurturing the culture of good governance.
It advised African media practitioners to draw attention to the issues of hunger, malnutrition, and complex agricultural phenomena, like price volatility, post-harvest losses, and food safety among others on the continent.
