Networking

Networking Highlights and Outcome

• 1984 – Two films on Hiroshima – Nagasaki ‘Prophecy’ and ‘Lost Generation’ donated by “Cry Against Nuclear Weapons, an organization of Japanese housewives viewed by thousands of people in Mumbai and other states. Wide coverage in English and Marathi newspapers and magazines.
• In 1986 ‘Prophecy’ screened on the National Network of Doordarshan
• In 1998 The Hindi version of ‘Prophecy’ produced by Avehi with Naseeruddin Shah’s voice screened widely in the city and during the Peace Jatha across North India from Rajasthan to Ayodhya. 67 organizations individuals from all over India purchased the film.
• As a reminder Avehi and a large number of  organizations screen these films every year on Hiroshima and Nagasaki Days.
• 1985 Bombay Doordarshan had half an hour feature on Avehi in Hindi.
• 1987 Participated in the Commonwealth Foundation Symposium for the Formation of Commonwealth Units in Asia held in Mumbai. Participated in a workshop organised by Commonwealth Secretarial and Unicef in Nairobi on “Use and Dissemination of Community Health Material especially for women.”
• 1^st November to 10^th December 1987 participated in Bombay Jan Vigyan Jatha, part of Bharat Jan Vigyan Jatha catalysed and supported by National Council for Science and Technology Communication, Department of Science and Technology, New Delhi. Avehi took the responsibility for film and slide show screenings in the city. A total of 69 screenings on various topics were held in 15 areas in collaboration with local groups and were facilitated by volunteer experts on those topics.
• December 1988 – Avehi invited to participate in the First Indian Workshop on Cancer Education in Schools organised by International Union Against Cancer held at Tata Memorial Hospital, in Mumbai. The slide show produced by Avehi ‘Dadaji ki Kahani’ for children on hazards of tobacco smoking was screened.
• 1989- The Director of International Television Trust for Environment visited Avehi and later donated a number of video films on Environment.
• 1991- To celebrate completion of  the first decade of Avehi, a function attended by a large number of dignitaries from different fields was held at Avehi office. Dr.Chitra Naik, Chairman Indian Education Society Pune, and ex-Chairperson , University Grants Commission was the Chief  Dr.Mulk Raj Anand, our President, presided.
• 1992- A seven day workshop on Media Facilitation for 22 science educators and activists from 9 states was the outcome of networking with All India People’s Science Network.
• In 1993 in the light of the unprecedented communal frenzy that swept the city from 6^th December 1992, Avehi in collaboration with other groups campaigned for communal harmony and peace through signature campaign, screenings of films on the issue of communalism and brought out a special issue of ‘Perspectives’ on “Living in Harmony and Peace”
• 1995 Avehi became a partner in ‘Communication Resource Network’ set up by Capart, a Central Government body, to centrally co-ordinate the maximum utilization of audio visual material all over the country by bringing together various resource centres, NGOs and others who are producing and distributing audio visual material.
• 1996 In partnership with SNDT Women’s University, Mumbai, Avehi launched and successfully completed its first rural outreach programme in Udwada, South Gujarat. Avehi assisted Centre for Rural Development of SNDT University in setting up ‘Mahiti’ an Audio Visual Resource Centre and trained 14 women community workers from 6 villages in media facilitation of various issues, handling of equipment and management of the centre in 40 training programmes over 2 year period. They are on their own ever since and reaching out to 30 villages in the area and also to schools, teacher’s training college and other NGOs in the region.
• 1997 Avehi produced in collaboration with the forum Ration Kruti Samiti a chart exhibition in Marathi on the issue of Public Distribution System and the Rights of the Ration Card Holders.
• 2001 Participation in the 4 day Bal Vividha Mela, a fair celebratring alternative approaches to learning- co hosted by All India Balkan-ji- Bari and Comet Media Foundation. 15 Children’s Films screened by Avehi on all the four days.Viewed by around 800 children.
• 2003 Avehi collaborated with Maharashtra Nature Park for a 4 day Environmental Film Festival which included nature walks and screening of films followed by discussion facilitated by experts.
• 2002- 2007 In a five year partnership with Mahila Rajsatta Andolan (MRA), a network promoted by Resource Support & Centre for Development (RSCD) which works in 1000 villages in 26 districts of Maharashtra and which is engaged in strengthening the governance role of women members of Gram Panchayat and development groups and in creating support systems to ensure their active and effective participation in Panchayat Raj Instituions, Avehi has worked closely with MRA for production of three media kits which meet the emerging needs of the campaign. They are disseminated and utilized by MRA for awareness generation, capacity building and training with positive results. 1000 copies of Gender Sensitization Kit produced in 2007 have been purchased by networks, institutions, NGOs in the city and other districts in Maharashtra.
• Gujarati Version of the first two kits including ‘Women & Law’ were produced for Western India Forum for Panchayati Raj, a network of 100 NGO’s based in Gujarat working in rural areas and 40 sets for SwaShakti, a project of Gujarat Women’s Economic Development Corporation (a govt. undertaking) who use the kits for Women’s Self Help Groups at village level. BAIF Development Research Foundation an NGO working in South Gujarat have also purchased the Gujarati Kit.
• 2006 Avehi hosted a seminar titled ‘Dialogue on Sexuality With the Young’ in recognition of the need for sharing thought processes among professionals, NGOs and educators on the relevance and impact of sexual health messages on the young.
• 2003 The Hindi version produced by Avehi of the English video film ‘Caste Out’ on caste problem was used by Don Bosco’s Tej-Prasarini’s wide network in Northen India in schools, colleges, youth groups and for NGO activities.
• 2004 A five day programme was designed into the schedule of teachers and students of a neighbourhood school. They were introduced to environmental issues, matters of health and hygiene and to the sheer fun of cartoons.
• 2004 Advocacy as an important segment of Networking was taken up in a 3 day training programme on Radio and Print Media Advocacy for NGOs and journalists.
• 2005 – 2006 One year partnership with Aseema, an NGO which works on Child Rights for Health education of parents of children of balwadi, montessori class, parents of std l – V of primary municipal school covering health, hygiene, nutrition, family life education. Outcome – led to segregation of garbage, understanding the role of a parent in upbringing of the child. Two parents equipped to train other parents.
• 2005 – 2006 In partnership with Family Service Centre, community workers trained in the utilization of Avehi’s media materials on Reproduction and Child Health for educating their respective communities. Some of these trained health animators have become trainers and train people from other communities.
• 2006 Avehi hosted a seminar titled ‘Dialogue on Sexuality With the Young’ in recognition of the need for sharing thought processes among professionals, NGOs and educators on the relevance and impact of sexual health messages on the young.
• 2007 – 2008 A full digital library created on the web making online access possible in a user friendly way. Avehi’s website will help in increasing Avehi’s outreach to like-minded institutions, organisations, groups committed to media alternatives and others in the city and other states.