Mid-Term Evaluation of Search for Common Ground (Centre Lokolé) "Supporting Congo's Transition Towards Sustainable Peace" Programme in Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC)

This 64-page report documents a mid-term output-to-purpose review that was carried out by Triple Line Consulting ltd. to assess Search for Common Ground (SFCG)'s "Supporting Congo's Transition towards Sustainable Peace" programme, funded by the Department for International Development (DFID). (Editor's note: SFCG's Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) Programme is locally known as "Centre Lokolé" - hereafter, "CL"). The purpose of the evaluation was to provide an objective assessment of the programme's progress against its aims, and its impact to date.

The key thrust of the programme being evaluated here is on using communication and the media to lay the foundations for sustainable peace by enhancing informative and participative dialogue around the post-civil-war transition process (editor's note: please click here for context) and by contributing to the reduction of tensions in the Eastern Congo. Project activities focus on conflict transformation, media training and, to a lesser extent, community reconciliation. Since the programme's initiation (in 2001), activities - which are discussed in detail within this document - include:

• Production of 10 weekly radio programmes which are distributed to a total of 84 radio stations (including the production of 6 weekly radio programmes broadcast through approximately 35 stations in the Kiswahili zone);
• Activities aimed at reducing tensions in Eastern DRC, including 4 facilitated community reconciliation projects and the establishment of 2 theatre troupes specialising in participatory theatre for conflict transformation;
• Provision of basic factual and official documentation related to various national processes to partner radio stations, as well as in-kind support (basic broadcasting equipment) to help these stations disseminate that information;
• Distribution of a comic strip version of one of the radio soap operas, as well as posters on elections and other transition issues;
• Training sessions for approximately 200 journalists and writers of radio drama in "common ground journalism", writing for specific formats, and editing processes. (Editor's note: SFCG describes "common ground journalism" as an approach to conflict transformation based on the idea that the journalist’s role in presenting a topic is to separate fact from opinion, identify key elements of the historical or cultural context, acknowledge different opinions, and present information in a style and language to which audiences can relate, leaving them to make up their own minds).

As the evaluators discovered through the interviews they conducted as part of the research described here, CL is also starting to develop activities which include elements of both radio and on-the-ground conflict transformation work. These include:

• A radio series on army integration and a training initiative for newly integrated brigades, focusing on human rights, communication, and conflict transformation;
• Activities promoting the reintegration of returning refugees in South Kivu through a combination of radio, theatre, and community development initiatives (in collaboration with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees).

The following excerpt from the document illustrates the impact that these activities have had, according to the evaluators, and informs their outline of recommendations for the next phase of CL's work:

"CL is the only organisation in DRC that is advocating conflict transformation to a mass-audience. It combines practical peace-building with the power of the mass-media (i.e. radio), to inform and encourage Congolese participation in the ongoing peace process, as well as influencing knowledge, attitudes and behaviour of the audience in ways that can facilitate peace. In particular, 'Jirani ni Ndugu' (a soap opera) and 'Sisi Watoto' (magazine programme on children's rights prepared and produced by children) both attract large audiences owing to their entertainment value and capacity to reflect the language and outlook of ordinary people in eastern DRC.

CL has promoted conflict transformation communication through its radio outputs as well as through participatory theatre (in which field it has become an important resource), and to a less evident degree through its on-the-ground community work. There is some evidence that CL's outputs have helped reduce general levels of tension, as well as contributing to specific instances where violence has been prevented, including most notably child
demobilisation resulting from 'Sisi Watoto'.

The key achievement of CL's radio output is that it produces informative, relevant and stimulating material which is disseminated to mass audiences in parts of the country where few other sources of information or discussion reach. Programmes have contributed to transition processes by enabling people to become better informed about the transition and better able to assess and act on information, and by providing outlets for popular opinions and commentary.

CL has contributed to media development through the training of professionals - including the young 'Sisi Watoto' reporters - and by setting high standards in its own programmes. It is the only organisation in DRC tackling elections from the standpoint of covering positive stories while being alert to the potential for conflict to result from the language or choice of stories chosen.

Moreover, when compared to other media organisations in the country CL's programme includes a wide range of activities which are not being attempted by other organisations. These include developing creative radio formats, especially drama; promoting the only production by and for children broadcast throughout the Kiswahili zone; and developing programme formats which allow ordinary people from all over the country to have their say. CL's approach is an example to other organisations on how to use a multi-media approach with inventiveness and creativity, and, as such, is a contribution to improved media standards throughout DRC.

Community-level reconciliation activities work through local peace organisations operating in strategically important locations and contexts. However, this work has been given limited attention to-date, owing to a combination of human and financial resource constraints and a conscious decision to focus resources on media work which is where CL considers it can make most difference."

To request a copy of this paper, please contact Lena Slachmuijlder at the address listed below.