For effective communication, the core principle is ‘know your audience’, yet participants note that many parts of the UN are only now waking up to the outreach afforded by social media platforms and webcasting over traditional print and radio, in an increasingly digital era.
Such communication ensures not only that the technical expertise and convening power of the UN is amplified and applied, but that people can better take advantage of channels to seek justice and redress or otherwise participate in global system mechanisms.
Some suggested actions are thus:
- Make communication the responsibility of all staff, not only the specialized communications divisions
- Embrace new forms of communication such as social media and virtual reality
- Promote active listening that ensures two-way communication, including with partners, beneficiaries and stakeholders more broadly
What have you found to be the most impactful communications for global organizations?