It is a proven fact that supports in cash and kinds merely change socio-economic, demographic and cultural aspects of human being. Therefore, BEES’s desired to get through massive social mobilization, lobbying, networking, multi channel media etc. utilizing all possible tools in an integrated manner to bring the desired change in a planed way. Since the poor, destitute and disadvantaged people are the ultimate target beneficiaries, BEES communicated with them through effective, need based and proper messages, means and materials. BEES utilized its optimum efforts to transfer the ideas, skills, information to the target beneficiaries and to change their knowledge, attitudes and practices. BEES developed printed materials and audio-video materials addressing the need and acceptability of the target audiences. These materials are generally used in different awareness building and motivational activities as well as training courses.

Occupational skills development and human resource development of the target beneficiaries are two of vital aims of BEES. Therefore, information disseminated must be correct and contain authentic messages and happenings. Development communication of the mass people hence demands to be based on information.

The Information and Development Communication Cell of BEES, always maintains close contact with different govt. and non-govt. agencies and other stakeholders to collect and collate latest and correct information and; disseminate those in different levels of program implementers as well as to the target beneficiaries through a quarterly Bangla Newsletter “Mathchitra” and other printed materials.

Objectives

To get the people involved in the process of poverty alleviation, making them aware of the development process with communication materials containing ideas, skills and relevant information.

Achievement

During 2002-2003, the Information and Development Communication Cell of BEES performed many activities in accordance with its workplan. Besides, the Cell performed some additional activities as and when required.

According to the plan, the Cell published 1,000 copies of Annual Report for the period 2001-2002. The report pictured out the achievement of all the interventions under Poverty Alleviation Program (PAP) through RDP, Health, MCH-FP & Nutrition, Special Programs and Support Programs undertaken during the mentioned period. The report also included a financial statement covering the reporting period.

A total of 4,000 copies of quarterly Bangla newsletter “Mathchitra” was published in 4 issues. These newsletters contained experiences & successes of the program activities. Besides, features, success stories and articles on development issues are also published in the Matchitra. The main objectives of the newsletter are to disseminate information on the development scenario incorporating various issues and to enhance experience & skills of field workers of BEES.

As per the work-plan the Cell designed, printed and published 1,000 copies of Note Books for program staff focusing the program managers’ and the field workers’ work schedule containing a four year calendar and a brief profile of the organization. It is very useful for the all-level program staff for keeping records of their day-to-day work.

The Cell also developed and printed new-year Greeting Cards for the organization and desk calendars, which were distributed to the national, international agencies, UN bodies and other govt. non-govt. stakeholders. Moreover, an organizational brochure was also published highlighting the BEES’s goal, vision, mission, objectives and implementation strategies/approaches of different programs/project. It was also sent out to the mentioned development partners.

The major BCC materials produced by the Communication Cell are summarized in the following table:

On the other hand, the Cell collected 30 copies of CDs on health, education, nutrition and family planning from different sources. The Cell purchased and collected huge number of books, journals, magazines and IEC materials on development resource. Some of these books, journals, magazines and materials were distributed to BEES’s Regional and Area Offices as per the program needs. Besides, the Cell maintained close contact with different govt. & non-govt. agencies and libraries to collect latest publications on development issues, which are being published and/or preserved by themselves. In BEES’s Photo Bank, a huge number of Photographs on BEES programs and other development activities during the period were prserved. In addition, a notable number of photographs on different development topics were collected and collated from different sources. These photographs were used in preparing different types of reports, brochures, desk calendar month planner and different types of IEC and/or BCC materials.

Under the inter-agency collaboration activities, the Cell’s personnel participated in different national and international meetings, seminars and workshops arranged by the government, non-government and UN agencies during the reporting year with a view to strengthen the relationship for alliance with them.

In addition to the mentioned activities, the Cell performed some other unplanned work during the period satisfying the needs of the organization. These included designing and printing of various types of official documents such as formats, cash books, bank books, debit-credit voucher & letter-head pad, envelops and so on.