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Globalization, democratization, media deregulation, new communication technologies and social and environmental needs are the forces giving new impetus to community-based communications. Local voices tell the stories best, not just about what is happening in their communities, but also their requirements, strengths and determination to move ahead. And, against this backdrop of local ascendancy the media environment is becoming ever noisier with continued dominance by professional commentators and broadcast networks with difference priorities.

This issue of Developing Ideas looks at community voices and some of the tools being used to amplify them. The first article is on appreciative inquiry, a planning tool that builds upon a common understanding of voiced community strengths. The next article - Broadcasting the Local - looks at community-based broadcasting using radio and video. Article #3 - Wiring Communities - is about telecentres, community-based information and communications technologies aimed at providing universal access. We then consider community economic clout: how communities are making their voices heard by using the Internet to form trade co-ops. The last article discusses several innovative approaches in which children-the voices of the future-are part of planning and decision-making processes. The Trend Watch section, which concludes this issue, charts the growth of communication for social change, an area of development programming that is entering into a new phase.

This issue was written with contributions from Dennis Cunningham and Fasia Khan. I would like to thank them both.

Please send me any comments. I would like to hear from you.

Managing Editor,
Marlene Roy

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