[WSIS CS-Plenary] Fwd: News: Development Communication Resources from ELD

[Caroline Braun]

Dear Partners

Here are two resources from Education, Language and Development Training
Programmes:

*E-book on Reporting Skills for development professionals launched*
*Online resource centre of downloadable materials *

*1. The Reporting Skills & Professional Writing Handbook*

*'At last there is a clear, simple guide to report writing specifically
written for people working in the development area'* says Christine Hogan
PhD, of Curtin University Centre for Human Rights and author of *'Facilitating
Multicultural Groups'*.

We know that progress and evaluation reports are cornerstones of effective
programmes. So why are they such a headache for readers and writers alike?
This Handbook takes readers through the entire reporting process from
setting objectives, through data gathering and analysis tools, to planning,
drafting, editing and designing the report. Effective reporting doesn't have
to be hard work. This self-study programme is full of clear explanations and
examples, frequent practical exercises, and an extended case study to fully
apply all the tools presented.

Although only just released, the Handbook has already been welcomed by
development professionals from organisations such as ADRA, UNDP, WHO, the
Burnet Institute, IAEA, Family Health International, UNAIDS and the World
Bank. Field workers, managers and consultants working with development
projects of all sectors will benefit from this new resource.

*What's in the Handbook?*

You can find out for yourself by downloading two example modules (Data
Gathering Methods and Writing Clarity) right now. Just go to
http://www.reportingskills.org/resources.htm  and see what we are talking
about. The whole Handbook comprises of eight distinct steps on the road to
effective reports:

1: Professional Writing & the Writing Process
2: Setting Objectives & Data Gathering Methods (entire module available for
download)
3: Analysing & Interpreting Information
4: Planning the Report
5: Writing Skills – Clarity (entire module available for download)
6: Writing Skills – Organisation
7: Putting it all Together
8: Finishing Off the Report

*How to get your Copy*

You can buy and download the entire Handbook (single user edition) right now
from http://www.reportingskills.org , and there are special licenses for
organisations. The Project Office Edition (50-user licence) also includes a
Training Pack – Trainer Guide, Participant Notes, Supplementary Materials
and over 250 slides – a 'workshop in a box' – so you can make sure everyone
in your office is on track through a ready-made training that's been tested
by us 100s of times all over Asia.

The Handbook is also supported by a moderated web forum where users can post
ideas and reach the author with comments, questions and feedback. Author
Neil Kendrick has worked as a trainer for 20 years throughout Asia, with the
whole spectrum of development organisations –- from multilateral and
bilateral agencies and international non-government organisations to small
NGOs. With an easy, accessible style, he demystifies the reporting process,
taking the hard work out and replacing it with an efficient and effective
process that gets the job done. To quote one of his participants, "My fear
of writing has turned to fun."

*2. More Resources*

*'This site has been developed at the right time especially for those us
involved in teaching and training. The resources are very useful and very
practical',** *Malawian researcher and lecturer and doctorate student at the
University of Leeds David Mkwambisi told us. He was submitting his comments
to ELD's Google group where members can access resource materials on a range
of topics related to Development Commnication. The group already has over
100 members, and we have just uploaded 'An Introduction to Case Study
Writing'. Please come and join us at the Reporting Skills & Professional
Writing group http://groups.google.com/group/reporting-skills--professional-writing?hl=en
.

*What others Say*

*At last there is a clear, simple guide to report writing specifically
written for people working in the development area. The text is easy to
follow and is supported by colourful mind maps, photographs and diagrams.
The reader is helped with useful exercises in which examples of reports are
analysed. There are encouraging comments to the reader which aid motivation
to read further. The book is useful resource for people working either alone
or for people wishing to facilitate workshops in this area. Neil Kendrick
brings a wealth of experience to this work. I wish I had read it before I
wrote my last report! *

*Christine Hogan PhD*
Development Consultant and Author of* **'Facilitating Multicultural Groups'
*
Adjunct Associate Professor,
Centre for Human Rights Education
Curtin University of Technology
Perth, Australia

*I am impressed. Very well produced, and does a great job of taking writers
through the whole process of turning out effective reports … it will
certainly improve the skills of field workers, managers and consultants, and
I recommend this to anyone who wants to take the stress out of reporting and
achieve better results. *

*Michael Lowe*
International Consultant

*Very comprehensive book and great graphics.*

*Terry Clayton*
Red Plough International

You can purchase and get immediate download of of the Handbook (PDF only) by
visiting http://www.reportingskills.org.

*Thanks for this site, this is exactly what I am looking for!
I've downloaded several other documents from the site! Looking forward to
taking a look at the Case Study Writing! *
*This site has been developed at the right time especially for those us
involved in teaching and training. The resources are very useful and very
practical. *

*Site members*
The Reporting Skills & Professional Writing group
http://groups.google.com/group/reporting-skills--professional-writing?hl=en

Thanks for your time.

*The Reporting Skills and Professional Writing Handbook: a self study
programme for development professionals*
(c) Neil Kendrick 2007
Downloadable PDF package (8 modules, A4, 226pp)

Published by Education, Language and Development Training Programmes
(UKCharity no. 1083385)

http://www.reportingskills.org

*** This is not a mailing list, just a one-time announcement ***
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