People building for the future

People in Bhutan have always participated in the development of their own communities. They provide labour for building community schools, rural water supply schemes, out-reach clinics, and sanitation facilities and take part in planning the services and facilities aimed at benefitting them.

More recently, the clergy and lay monks have also been mobilized to play a greater social role in promoting health among their communities. But it is not always easy to make possible participation by these groups.

In a mountainous country like Bhutan, with a generally scattered population, information, communication and moblization remain a challenge. This is where UNICEF steps in to support such efforts.

"Social mobilization and advocacy are extremely important in Bhutan as we are trying to introduce so many new concepts and ideas to improve the health of of our people," said a spokesman for the Health Department's information, education and communication for health bureau. "Immunization, need for latrines, community water supply -- all these must first be explained to the people."

It is essential if Bhutan is to achieve its development goal which emphasises people's participation and decentralization. "Communication is the thread that binds the people and the goals of development," said UNICEF communication officer Nim Karma Sherpa. "It helps to bring about a climate of positive change."

One of Bhutan's most challenging but successful advocacy and communication drives has been the promotion of National Immunization Days aimed at vaccinating all children against common childhood diseases.

UNICEF continues to provide support to Bhutan through its advocacy, social mobilization and communication programme, with the goal of raising resources, strengthening political will and commitment, and mobilizing individuals, families and communities.

More importantly, the programme tries to enlist the participation of the people in planning, implementation and monitoring and evaluation.