Search here for answers to our most frequently asked questions. Got any more questions? Use our contact form below to submit your own FAQ.
What does HCR do?
HCR is a not-for-profit organisation which partners with community groups and community focused organisations to create opportunities for local people to create positive change in their society. HCR specialises in community-centred media training using communication for development (C4D) principles. Our aim is to empower local people to use media effectively as a means of supporting and enhancing community development activities.
How does community-centred media help people?
Effective communication is the key to any healthy relationship and is therefore vital in a community context to help people relate to one another. Community-centred media (CCM) brings community members together to share ideas and opinions on issues which are important and relevant to them. This allows a community to work together to improve their way of life, resolve conflicts and break down cultural barriers.
What does a community-centred media project look like practically?
A typical CCM project will bring together community members, service providers and media organisations so that ideas, opinions and concerns can be raised about issues in the community. A collaborative approach to tackling these issues can then be agreed upon and messages which are relevant and influential can be created and broadcast to the wider community. Other community members also engage and respond to the issues raised and further contribute to bringing about positive change.
Why does HCR use radio in it's CCM projects?
Whilst radio may seem like old technology, it is still a wide reaching and cost effective form of media, particularly in rural communities and the developing world. Wind-up and solar power radios allow sustainable access to broadcasts and the equipment required to create broadcast quality audio programs is cheap, portable and easy to use. Audio programs are particularly effective in communities where information is traditionally communicated verbally, and where literacy rates are low. So for the many rural and remote communities with which HCR works, radio represents the most effective medium for CCM projects.
Does HCR use other forms of media in projects?
Yes. The CCM principles taught by HCR are applicable and transferable to any form of media. HCR works in communities where video, print and MP3 audio has been used for community development activities. Besides this mobile technology is rapidly changing the face of communication, even in the most remote areas of the world. Today, out of the seven billion people in the world, approximately six billion use mobile 'phones. To that end, CCM strategies usually involve mobile technologies.
How is HCR funded?
HCR projects and administration costs are mainly funded by donations from individuals and organisations. We also work with our partners to obtain grant funding for community projects and receive income from consulting projects where funds are available. Any funds earned from consulting activities are used towards furthering other HCR projects where funding may not be available.
Who is involved with HCR?
HCR supports a collaborative team of international practitioners and researchers. Some HCR people have research links to universities and publicly funded interventions and others are employed by their own organisations and implement HCR's concepts, training methodologies and tools in their own context
What is HCR's regulatory status?
HCR is an incorporated not-for-profit charity registered in Western Australia which conforms to statutory requirements for governance, constitution and auditing of annual accounts. HCR is governed by a volunteer Board of Directors and has status with the Australian Taxation Office as a tax exempt charity.
In the United Kingdom, HCR is a charity registered with the Charity Commission for England and Wales (number 1152631).