UNESCO Chair in Communication for Sustainable Social Change (949), established in 2011 at the University of Massachusetts – Amherst (United States of America)

Fields/Disciplines

Communication, sustainable development.

Objectives

The specific objectives of this Chair are to:

• to provide impetus, internationally and nationally, to the study and practice of development communication and social change, and to encourage a greater understanding of the role of communication in poverty reduction and the promotion of human rights, gender equality, social justice, security and good governance;     
• to advise national and international aid administrators, policy makers and other stakeholders on policies and planning matters in the field of communication for sustainable social change, and to raise their awareness of innovative applied communication and technology processes for development;
• to serve as a global focal point and research-base for research and theoretical work in the field, including through the establishment of an on-line clearing-house for documentation, publications and other relevant development communication materials and information;
• to promote the role of critical and informed journalism for sustainable development and the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals, and to strengthen international cooperation and peace through the promotion of a wider public understanding of cultural diversity and dialogue.

 Host Institution

University of Massachusetts – Amherst (United States of America)

UNESCO Sector/Office responsible for the Chair/Network

Communication and Information

Contact: Prof. Jan Servaes, UNESCO Chairholder
Director, SBS Center 'Communication for Sustainable Social Change' (CSSC)
University of Massachusetts
Machmer Hall 415
Amherst, MA 01003, USA
Phone: +1 413 545 5773/4314
Fax: +1 413 545 6399
E-mail:servaes(at)comm.umass.edu
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