The Africa Conference on Development Journalism has made a universal call to action to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure prosperity for all through the use of development communication.
A communique issued by the conference at the end of its 2-day annual seminar organised by the Africa Media Development Foundation (AMDF) in Kaduna, stressed the need to collaborate and promote inclusive behaviour that enhances sustainability to create a more promising future.
It noted that while development communication does not only cultivate a shared understanding among diverse stakeholders, it acts as a beacon that guides individuals, communities, and nations together toward a common vision and sustainable future.
While calling for forging partnerships between researchers, institutions, and communities, the conference advocated the integration of scientific evidence into policy formulations.
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 towards 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.
