The authors would like to acknowledge their immense gratitude to the people in the rural areas of Ethiopia, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Sudan, Swaziland, United Republic of Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia and Zimbabwe, who have participated in the field implementation of the communication strategies described in this handbook. This publication would not have been accomplished without their participation and encouragement. In addition, the authors would like to thank all the rural development workers, extension staff, health educators, media producers and trainers who have participated in the Action Programme for Communication Skills Development of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Centre of Communication for Development which has inspired this work. Many people contributed to the course work on which this handbook is based. The authors have drawn on their collective expertise but wish to particularly acknowledge the significant role played by Chike Anyaegbunam in the preparation of this publication and wish to thank, Gemma Luzuka, Jones Kaumba, Titus Moetsabi, Gary Coldevin, Peter D'Huys and Linda Manasa. In the same vein, the handbook has drawn on many written sources both published and unpublished. These are listed in the bibliography and the authors take this opportunity to thank the writers.
The authors extend a special thank you to the following people who have greatly contributed to specific sections of this Handbook; Joel Chikware and Simon Willby, who contributed in the writing of the section on print material, Osvaldo Lingua, contributing in the planning sections, Eddington Mhonda, for the section on radio and Jonathan Villet, for his contribution and in the refinement of the communication strategy. Also thank you to Luca Toronga who contributed in the original design and graphics of the handbook. In addition, the authors wish to thank all the staff members of the SADC Centre of Communication for Development for their constant support during the whole project, and they acknowledge the technical guidance provided by the Communication for Development Group in FAO Extension, Education and Communication Service in the implementation of the SADC Centre of Communication for Development and the preparation of this handbook. A special thank you to Mario Acunzo, Communication for Development Officer at FAO who took care of this second edition.
Finally, the SADC Centre of Communication for Development and FAO acknowledge the valuable contribution provided by the Government of Italy (Directorate General for Development Cooperation), their generous support is appreciated.
