Communicating in the Water sector

The core component for communication is to convey knowledge and information. These are considered essential for people to respond successfully to the opportunities and challenges of social, economic and technological changes, including those that help to improve access to water and sanitation services. Knowledge is only useful if it is effectively shared amongst people and institutions. Communication is therefore a critical component of any development initiative. In Uganda the water and sanitation sector is part of the social sector and uses communication as a social process based on dialogue using a broad range of tools and methods. The aim has been to seek change at different levels including listening, establishing trust, sharing knowledge and skills, building policies, debating and learning for sustained and meaningful change. There basically 2 streams of information that is shared in the sector that is the government through its line ministries and CSOs through the NGO network UWASNET.

This paper seeks to create an understanding of vertical communication and how it can support sharing of knowledge and information at different levels. Read more