LET’S TALK TREES: Change our language, change our world

08 - 09 Apr 2019, Nexus Hotel

 

Communicating Forest and Climate Change Science

Background
Communication strategy goes beyond one-way of knowledge sharing. Related stakeholders need to foster discussion and analysis of research through clear messaging, dynamic platforms and measurable pathways for impact: leverage awareness, produce sound policies and actions.

The strategy directly applies to forests and climate change and players involved including government, practitioner/communities, research institutes, NGOs, and journalists.

CIFOR will conduct a two-day workshop for Ethiopian government communicators, research organization officers and communicators focusing on forest and climate change knowledge dissemination. The aim is to develop communications skills, share experiences, build networks, collaborate, and learn about opportunities and challenges in the environmental field.

We invite experts from different fields to share their best practices in communicating science.

The program will facilitate dialog and provide opportunities to learn from each other, build networks and share experiences gained based on participants’ diverse backgrounds. This will also open wider information channels on climate change and the environment, among the most pressing issues humanity faces today.

Objectives
• To discuss challenges and opportunities on forests and climate change science
• To share best practices and lessons learned from forest and climate change science
• To build relationships among government communications officers, practitioners, journalists and scientists.
• To find common ground between the key players in the environmental field
• To create new ways of gathering and disseminating environmental stories with accuracy, speed, credibility and appeal.

Participants
Environmental journalists, science/government/NGO/CSO communicators working on forestry in addition to CIFOR partners in Ethiopia

Facilitator
Natasha Elkington, Anggrita Cahyaningtyas

Presentations
Values by Natasha Elkington
Let’s talk trees by Natasha Elkington, Anggrita Cahyaningtyas
Multimedia storytelling by Natasha Elkington

Agenda

Time
Activities
Day 1
8 April 2019
08.30–09.00
Registration
09.00–09.10
Welcoming remarks
09.10–09.30
Introduction
Objectives and ‘rules of the game’
09.30–10.30
Demystifying communication
*coffee break available inside the meeting room
10.30-12.00
Engaging audiences for impact
12.00–13.00
Lunch & networking
13.00-14.30
Shifting Attitudes and Mindsets
*coffee break available inside the meeting room
14.30–17.00
Multimedia story telling: How to make better use of technology and social media
17.00-17.30
Wrap up Day 1 and plans for Day 2
 
 
Day 2
9 April 2019
09.00–09.15
Overview of day 1, introduction to Day 2
09.15–10.00
How to make forestry science compelling
• How do we get environment stories at the top of news agenda
• How to make it relevant:
o Collaborate with art and music
o Human impact stories
10:00–11.00
Creating new narratives
• Story ideas from CIFOR scientist/partner in Ethiopia
Discussion on improving scientific communication
11.00-12.00
Group work-building your story
Execute stories in a variety of formats: blogs, short videos, social media campaign
*coffee break available inside meeting room
12.00-13.00
Lunch
13.00–15.00
Wrap-up discussion and key takeaways
• Did this training change the way you work?
• What is the most useful part of the training for your work?