Information, Education and Communication: Conference


Conference:

A group usually composed of two to fifty persons representing several organizations, departments, or points of view within an organization, meet together exhibit a common interest and present two or more sides of their problems. They gather information and discuss mutual problems with a reasonable solution as the desirable end. The various phases of the problem may be presented by co-operative or hostile groups.

The term conference means, to bring together, To most of us a conference means a meeting for the purpose of information giving, a decision making, problem solving, exchange of information, fact finding, problem identification, planning, or inspiration. A conference can be described as a pooling of experiences and opinions among a group of people who have special qualifications in the area, or among people who are capable of analyzing a problem from information provided by competent leaders.

It generally carries a descriptive adjective which designates the type of conference eg. Supervisors conference health Educators conference etc. It may be a working conference usually of technical nature or educational conference designating a theme to promote some idea.

The size of conference determines the techniques. The usual discussion techniques as round-table, panel etc. are followed. It emphasizes on feedback from discussion groups and individual participants back home. The chairman opens the session and sometimes key notes are resorted.

Advantages:

  1. Good method by which two or more persons of varying views meet and discuss problems for mutual consideration.
  2. It accentuates democracy in action.


Limitations:

  1. One side may dominate the meeting.
  2. It is difficult to evaluate what has been accomplished in the conference and what will be done as a follow-up.