The Participatory Communication Research Section (PCR) invites 
submissions for its open sessions at the IAMCR 2010 Conference in 
Braga, Portugal under the general theme of the conference 
"Communication and Citizenship: Rethinking Crisis and Change". Under 
this umbrella, papers from a wide range of perspectives on 
communication, participation and change will be considered.
The work that is presented in the Participatory Communication 
Research Section is not based on any specific definition of 
participation. Rather, participation is a term used to refer to a 
variety of social and planning processes that occur in myriad ways 
and in many different contexts. This Section addresses issues 
related to communication within community and between stakeholders 
who are engaged in processes of social change. The sessions are 
meant to work toward theoretical and methodological clarification. 
Therefore, both papers and statements discussing theoretical or 
methodological perspectives and/or documenting specific case studies 
are welcome.
Topics that will be considered include a wide variety of issues that 
relate to research in relation to processes of communication founded 
on participation. This includes subjects and processes of 
democratisation, communication and information rights, ICTs for 
sustainable development, health communication, environmental 
communication, agricultural extension services, communication for 
advocacy, folk media and social movements, communication planning 
activities and interventions, national and cultural identities, 
community studies and the relationship between participation, 
empowerment and gender, community radio and participatory video 
production, non-formal participatory forms of education, 
participatory rapid appraisals, participatory action research, and so on.
Special Themes:
Besides the open call for papers, we would like to invite papers, 
which address the following special themes:
   * Participatory Communication and the Facilitation of Climate 
ChangeAdaptation
   * Climate change adaptation requires human change at individual 
and community levels. New adaptation strategies are being 
developed, testedand implemented. Various adaptive capacities are 
being build. The PCR Section invites papers, which discuss the role 
of participatory communication and facilitation in these adaptation 
processes to climate change at different levels.
   * Participatory Communications, Citizenship and Indigenous Communities
   * It is arguable that the communities most affected by climate 
change are those on the edge including indigenous communities who 
face issues with de-forestation, the loss of land, and face major 
conflicts over culture, the economy and politics. The PCR section 
invites papers that explore the role of participatory communication 
in the strengthening of advocacy, education and the empowerment of 
indigenous communities.
   * New Approaches in the Pedagogy of Participatory Communications
   * As the pedagogy of participatory communications becomes 
global, there is need for an understanding and awareness of the 
specific pedagogical methods used in both formal and non-formal 
contexts. These methods include technological mediated, virtual and 
face to face learning. The PCR invites papers that highlight the 
uses of creative, innovative teaching and learning in areas to do 
with participatory communications.
   * HIV/AIDS and Participatory Communication Approaches (joined 
session with the Communication and HIV/AIDS Working Group)
   * The PCR Section and the Communication and HIV/AIDS Working 
Group are inviting papers for a special session on the 
participation and communication in HIV/AIDS responses. The epidemic 
has highlighted the importance of issues of participation, social 
inclusion and exclusion, and the challenges posed by 
marginalization, stigma and discrimination. We invite papers from 
those engaging in research and practice related to participation 
and participatory approaches to communication within the context of 
the HIV/AIDS epidemic.
Logistics:
   * Joint sessions with other relevant sections and working groups 
can be organised. Please do not submit your abstract to several 
sections and groups.
   * The deadline for the submission of abstracts (500 words) is 
January 31, 2010. You will be informed whether or not your abstract 
is accepted by March 15, 2010. The deadline for full papers is April 30, 2010.
   * There are to be no biographical notes or references in the abstract.
   * Please submit your abstract on-line at the 
<http://www.iamcr2010portugal.com/>conference website. 
Alternatively you may send it to:
Section Head:
Rico Lie
Wageningen University
Communication Science
Rico.Lie[AT]wur.nl
<http://www.com.wur.nl/>http://www.com.wur.nl
Postal address: P.O. Box 8130, 6700 EW Wageningen, The Netherlands
Section Vice Head:
Pradip Thomas
University of Queensland
School of Journalism and Communication
pradip.thomas[AT]uq.edu.au
<http://www.uq.edu.au/journ-comm/>http://www.uq.edu.au/journ-comm/
Postal address: St. Lucia Campus, QLD 4072, Brisbane, Australia