The Decentralization Community mobilized a multi-sectoral group to develop a strategy for empowering PRIs using the media…

The media can play an important role in empowering Panchayati Raj Institution (PRI) members, and thus Dr. Mahi Pal, a member from the Haryana Institute of Rural Development (HIRD) posted a query on the Decentralization Community on using the media to empower PRIs.

In May 2006, after the Consolidated Reply was issued, a group of members from Kerala under the auspices of SDC-CapDecK (Dr. Joy Elamon and Niramala S. George) organized a discussion in May 2006 in Thiruvananthapuram on how the media could be mobilized to serve the cause of PRIs and local governance. This meeting was attended by more than 60 participants representing a broad cross section of society, and led by Dr. Elamon, Chief Programme Coordinator of a Swiss Development Cooperation led project, called “Capacity Development for Decentralization in Kerala.” 

As a result of this discussion, an action group was formed, championed by Dr. Elamon and the Director of Kerala Institute of Local Administration (KILA). The action group was sponsored by UNICEF (Tejinder Sandhu, a member of the Decentralization Community was the moving force) and entrusted with developing a strategy for empowering PRIs through the media. This was the first sponsored Action Project in Solution Exchange India. The action group has produced a draft report and is now working towards its finalization.

Gouridasan Nair the chief reporter of The Hindu daily talking in the workshop on the role of media in promoting Panchayati Raj. (photo courtesy Nirmala S. George, SDC-CapDecK, Thiruvananthapuram)

Sarada Muraleedhran speaking during the workshop on the role of media in promoting Panchayati Raj. (photo courtesy Nirmala S. George, SDC-CapDecK, Thiruvananthapura