1. Social Development and the UN Millennium Development Goals: Best Practices and Lessons Learned from a Philippine University
Mr. Marco M. Polo
Associate Professor, Communication Arts Department
Director, University Development Office
De La Salle University-Dasmarinas
07/24/2010

2. Discussion Outline
Social Development, The UN MDGs & the Case (Subject DevCom)
Modes of inclusion of MDGs in Higher Education
Pedagogy (Learning Approaches)
Teaching Strategies and Learning Approaches and Opportunities
Outputs and Outcomes
Suggestions and Recommendations
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3. SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT
A process which results in the transformation of social structures in a manner which improves the capacity of the society to fulfill its aspirations. Society develops by consciousness and social consciousness develops by organization. The process that is subconscious in the society emerges as conscious knowledge in pioneering individuals.
Development is a process, not a program. Its power issues more from its subtle aspects than from material objects.
Development implies a qualitative change in the way the society carries out its activities, such as through more progressive attitudes and behavior by the population, the adoption of more effective social organizations or more advanced technology.
World Bank/ADB

4. What are the Millennium Development Goals?
The MDGs are the most broadly supported, comprehensive and specific development goals the world has ever agreed upon. These eight time-bound goals provide concrete, numerical benchmarks for tackling extreme poverty in its many dimensions.
Adopted by world leaders in 2000 and set to be achieved by 2015, the MDGs are both global and local, tailored by each country to suit specific development needs. They provide a framework for the entire international community to work together towards a common end – making sure that human development reaches everyone, everywhere. If these goals are achieved, world poverty will be cut by half, tens of millions of lives will be saved, and billions more people will have the opportunity to benefit from the global economy. 
The eight MDGs break down into 21 quantifiable targets that are measured by 60 indicators. 

5. UN Millennium Development Goals
Goal 1. Eradicate Extreme Poverty and Hunger
Goal 2. Achieve Universal Primary Education
Goal 3. Promote Gender Equality And Empower Women
Goal 4. Reduce Child Mortality
Goal 5. Improve Maternal Health
Goal 6. Combat HIV/AIDS, Malaria and Other Diseases
Goal 7. Ensure Environmental Sustainability
Goal 8. Develop A Global Partnership For Development
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6. The Subject: Introduction to Development Communication
PROFILE: 3 unit credit, 3-hour class/week, offered to AB Communication students
DEVCOM: Art and science of human communication applied to the speedy transformation of people and communities in order for them to realize their full potential (Quebral, 1975 modified).
DEVCOM: Organized efforts to use communication processes and the media to bring social and economic improvements (Paterson, 2000).
DEVCOM: The discipline and practice of communication in the context of developing countries. Communication for planned change.
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7. DEVCOM…
Involves creating mechanisms to broaden public access to information on reforms; strengthening clients' ability to listen to their constituencies and negotiate with stakeholders; empowering grassroots organizations to achieve a more participatory process; and undertaking communications activities that are grounded in public opinion research.
Is using communication as a tool for development with a preferential option for the poor, marginalized, exploited and disenfranchised.
The practice of systematically applying the processes, strategies, and principles of communication to bring about positive social change (Quebral, 1973).
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8. DEVCOM defined
A branch of communication theory or practice that is concerned with applying insights from communication theory to address problems of development and modernization. The aim of development communication is to find strategies for mobilizing people and consequently resources, for developmental goals.
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9. Pedagogy (Learning Approaches)
Conscientization
Rights-based Approach (Development is a Human Right)
Transformative Learning
Development is holistic
Development is the enlargement of choices and opportunities
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10. Modes of Inclusion of the UN MDGs in the School Curricula
A. Instruction (through the Curriculum)
Integrated in a Program
BS Development Communication, BS Community Development, BS Development Studies, BS Social Work, AB Sociology
Integrated in a Major Subject
Introduction to Development Communication, Introduction to Social Development
Integrated in a General Education Course
Social Science, History
B. Research
As a research agenda of the institution
C. Community Service
As a social development thrust of the institution particularly on neglected areas or areas that lack support
D. Co-curricular
Student-led activities
Institutional activities
Multi-stakeholder activities
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11. Teaching Strategies & Learning Opportunities
Reading List
Class and Group Discussion
Field Work
Video Presentations
Role Playing
Production
Organizing Events
Film Viewing
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12. Sample Activities & Projects
Case Reports on Perspectives on an MDG Goal by Government, Civil Society and Business
Interpretation and production of music videos on UNDP MDG songs
Original composition of MDG inspired songs
MDG Posters
Public Forum on MDG inspired theme
Exhibit on the MDGs
MDG themed radio plugs and tv commercials
Music Videos of MDG inspired songs
Feature-documentary inspired by the MDGs
Compilation of Music Videos and Documentaries
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13. Sample Activity: Docus & MTVs
Objective: To apply the concept of the UN MDG by producing a documentary feature and original song and music video.
Process: The student groups choose a particular MDG in which to do a documentary and to write an original song and produce a music video
The script, composition and story boards are discussed with the teacher before it is approved and executed
Students are given 6-8 weeks to work on the projects
All music videos and documentaries are compiled in an album and launched in a formal event. The videos are also uploaded on the internet and distributed to partners and friends of the University.
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14. Sample Activity: MDG themed Forum
Objective: To popularize and raise public awareness about the UN MDG by organizing a public forum on a relevant theme or issue.
Process: The classes are tasked to organize the forum and specific roles and responsibilities are identified.
With the help of the teacher, resource persons are invited.
Student produce publicity materials, are in charge of the program including special numbers and moderating the forum.
Forums Organized:
May Magagawa Ka (You Can Do Something): A Forum on Achieving the Millennium Development Goals Through Volunteerism
The Role of New Media in Empowering People for Development
Dear Gov: Mga Adhikan ng mga Kabitenyo, Kilalanin and mga Kandidato (Dear Gov: The Aspirations of Caviteños, Get to Know the Candidates)
Preparation Time 4-6 weeks
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15. Sample Activity: Case Studies/Reports
Objective: To let the students know and understand the concept of development through the perspective of government, business and civil society by conducting an in- depth case study using a particular MDG Goal as subject. Process: The classes are divided into groups of five and are assigned a particular MDG Goal. They are then tasked to propose a particular government agency/unit, business foundation and civil society org that they will conduct their case study on.
Once approved guide questions are prepared in discussed with the group. Guidelines on how to produce the report are also given
Output: A full paper (at least 20 pages) and a powerpoint or flash/video presentation (15 minutes) about their study including their insights, discoveries and realizations
Preparation Time 3-5 weeks
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16. Other Initiatives
Book project on MDGs and fiscal policy “May Pera Pa Ba?” by Social Watch and Public Administration Classes
Blogs on the MDGs
Community-based research on awareness on the MDGs
Review and analysis of LGU development plans vis-à-vis the MDGs
Impact assessment of MDG inspired initiatives at the community level
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17. Suggestions & Recommendations
Integration of the MDGs in the curriculum is possible given the desire, creativity and industriousness of the faculty and students.
Various learning modes and strategies can be utilized to harness the various possibilities of raising awareness, understanding and appreciation of the MDGs.
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18. SAMPLE PROJECTS/ACTIVITIES
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19. SAMPLE ACTIVITIES/PROJECTS
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20. SAMPLES PROJECTS
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21. SAMPLE ACTIVITIES
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22. END THOUGHTS
Anchoring DevCom as a subject on the MDGs allowed us to provide educational experiences that stretch students out of their comfort zones and increase their awareness of needs in both global and local communities.
Schools should be the laboratories for acts of conscience.
We need young people’s energies to address the complex problems that will face us in the coming decades.
Civic education crosses the line between schools and communities and reflects a more inclusive definition of education.
As educators, we hold the next generation of voters, politicians and corporate leaders in our hands.
“Yes reading and math are important. But what matters most is what kind of human beings are reading the books and doing the math (Haynes, 2009).”

23. Social Development and the UN Millennium Development Goals: Best Practices and Lessons Learned from a Philippine University
Mr. Marco M. Polo
Associate Professor, Communication Arts Department
Director, University Development Office
De La Salle University-Dasmarinas
07/24/2010