The three essays in this publication consider the relationship between human capital investment and economic development, particularly in the context of developing countries. The first article (by Aklilu Habte) reviews the experiences of the World Bank in lending for education, curriculum development, and vocational training. The role of education…

Explains China's poverty at specific social levels and as a whole. Deals with overall issues such as: (1) the commodity economy; (2) China's sixth-five year plan; (3) rural industrialization; (4) the poor educational system; (5) unevenly developed territory; (6) persistant feudal problems; and (7) isolation from the world. Concludes by defining…

Presents an overview of the South Pacific Telecommunications Development Programme (SPTDP), which is designed to extend the present telecommunications, infrastructures to provide network-connected telephones to more communities. Highlights include satellite networks in the area, telegraph and television services, user requirements, and cost…

Suggests that third world countries should develop their own information base and their own technologies designed especially for their needs, instead of relying on the information and technologies developed for industrialized nations. Emphasizes scientific information and library development. (CH)

At the present time the social sciences implicitly or explicitly start from a normative vision which has a dialectical objective: a reasoning that is at once theoretical and practical, or that is both a political and a scientific discourse. A focus on Jurgen Habermas' theory of communicative action provides possibilities of shifting the frontier…

Describes a project conducted by Canada's International Development Research Centre (IDRC) to determine the possibility of establishing indicators to concretely measure the relevance of information to decision-making processes in the context of assistance to developing countries. Use of a computer conference and a workshop to develop a model are…

Intended to assist World Bank staff and officials in deciding when and how to include communication support activities in Bank-financed development projects, this paper describes the use of planned communications to encourage participation in projects by certain groups of people, to improve institutional efficiency and staff development, and to…

Analyzes African development strategies as a response to conditions and limitations imposed by a history of colonialism and neocolonialism. (Author/MJL)

Discussion of the use of video in rural development projects highlights animation at the village level, training, and monitoring and evaluation of project management as examples of successful video integration. A pilot project to test the use of video as an integrated support to management is then described. (26 references) (LRW)

A reflection and training workshop held in Accra (Ghana) brought together African university presidents, vice-chancellors, rectors, and top-level administrators to discuss three themes: first, the nature and functions of higher education institutions; second, leadership and organization of the higher education institution; and, third, resource…

Discussion of agricultural and rural development extension systems in developing countries emphasizes the importance of a communication system and the goal of improvements in the socioeconomic status of farmers. The use of various instructional materials is discussed, constraints to development are reviewed, and the importance of feedback is…

Examines the relationship between teaching English as a foreign language (EFL) and national and programmatic development issues. English language teaching (ELT) is discussed from the perspective of its effects on the host culture, and suggestions are made for ensuring that EFL/ELT becomes a productive force within a host country. (Author/CB)

Several of the new agricultural universities in India have identified a special need to improve their communication capabilities through the better use of the mass media and other channels to narrow the communication gap between agricultural scientists, educators, and farmers. This paper discusses the basic concept, goals, administration,…

This discussion of satellite services for education and rural development in less developed countries emphasizes the importance of adequate telephone systems to support development programs. Programs in Peru, Indonesia, and the West Indies are highlighted, and current and future problems in planning satellite systems are reviewed. (LRW)

Change is more advantageous if it incorporates an entire society rather than an element of that society, and the goals of educational development will be most fruitfully realized with a minimum of harmful effects if programs of instructional development are made to focus on the entire culture, rather than on a single social institution. A systems…