Inadequate and ineffective communication may act as a barrier to accessing social protection by people in need. This was the sobering message emerging from a recent ‘communications bootcamp’ held at the Saint Kitts Marriot Resort. Attended by public sector officials responsible for implementing social protection programmes, the intensive two-day workshop sought to bolster their communication skills, better positioning them to speak about their work and its impact.
The Bootcamp covered a range of topics including developing strong objectives, identifying and understanding target audiences, crafting meaningful messages, multimedia channels, storytelling and engaging the media. In highly interactive sessions, participants shared experiences and problem-solved as they honed their communication skills. According to lead facilitator Faine Richards, Communications and Advocacy Officer at the United Nations Resident Coordinator’s Office in Trinidad and Tobago, the role of public sector officials in interfacing with the media is vital. “Consistent, transparent public information underpinned by a human rights philosophy is key to ensuring the most vulnerable can access basic public goods and services, including healthcare, education and nutrition support,” she said, stressing the importance of helping taxpayers to understand the need for investment in social programmes.
Ms. Jeweleen Manners-Woodley, Project Officer with the Ministry for Social Development and Gender Affairs, spoke of the role of the training in strengthening participants’ communication skills.
“…This workshop was excellent for technical staff because, while we are pretty good at implementing programmes, we don’t have the same level of confidence speaking to, or answering questions from, the media. The training targeted our work …helping us to understand the importance of communication and refining our skills so that we can more confidently face the media.”
The Communications Bootcamp was hosted by the Resilient Caribbean: Engaging and Training Youth, Strengthening Integrated Social Protection Sector Delivery Joint Programme, which is being implemented in Anguilla, the British Virgin Islands, Grenada, Saint Kitts and Nevis and the wider Eastern Caribbean through the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States Commission.
This workshop forms part of a suite of capacity strengthening initiatives on which the Joint Programme is currently collaborating with the Government of Saint Kitts and Nevis, including a media workshop highlighting social protection issues.
Note:
All joint programs of the Joint SDG Fund are led by UN Resident Coordinators and implemented by the agencies, funds and programmes of the United Nations development system. With sincere appreciation for the contributions from the European Union and Governments of Belgium, Denmark, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Monaco, The Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Republic of Korea, Saudi Arabia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and our private sector funding partners, for a transformative movement towards achieving the SDGs by 2030.
