workshop on communication of environmental information

Workshop on Communication ofWorkshop on Communication ofEnvironmental InformationEnvironmental Information

Africa Environment Outlook:Communications Challenges

• Africa Environment Outlook is the first attempt at a state of the environment report covering the continent, and thus is a significant milestone in harmonization and dissemination of integrated environmental and socio-economic data and information.

What is Africa Environment Outlook (AEO)What is Africa Environment Outlook (AEO)


• To provide comprehensive, credible environmental information in a way that is relevant to policy making.• To provide the awareness and stimulus for action in the

development of and responses to Multilateral Environmental Agreements, regional action plans and sub-regional co-operative arrangements.• To recommend achievable actions at national, sub-

regional and regional levels and their implications for implementation at these levels.

AIMS:AIMS:


• To encourage the region's various stakeholders to make informed decisions, and to act individually, collectively and/or multilaterally to put Africa on a sustainable development path.• To look into the future and assess the various policy

options consideration at national, sub-regional and regional levels• To encourage the region's various stakeholders to make

informed decisions, and to act individually, collectively and/or multilaterally to put Africa on a sustainable development path.

AIMS:AIMS:


•While the AEO is mainly targeted at AMCEN and their member governments, it is equally important to the people of Africa and partners of the region in development. The report will appeal to various other African organizations and institutions at the regional, sub-regional and national levels. These include both inter-governmental and private organizations. It is critical to universities, colleges and schools, professional and community associations, women's organizations, trade unions, the private sector, the media.

Target AudienceTarget Audience


• Comprehensive AEO Report• Policy makers in private and public sectors• Civil society/NGOs•Media• Academia• Research organizations• Relevant UN agencies

Range of Products and Primary TargetsRange of Products and Primary Targets


• AEO Newsletter• Partners in the AEO process

• Ministries of Environment/Natural Resources• Regional and sub-regional inter governmental organizations• Collaborating Centres• UNEP departments



• Policy Briefs• Policy makers• Policy implementers• Representatives of key institutions• Research organisations



• Technical Background papers• Academia• NGOs• Environment/Natural Resource Ministries• Collaborating Centres• Research organizations• Relevant UNEP Partner Organisations

•Website• All stakeholders



•Media kits• print• broadcast• documentary•web• govt. information officers• newsletter editors• relevant UN agencies



• Video•Ministers of Environment• Technical experts in government•Media• Extension departments in Env/Natural Resource

ministries• Relevant UN Agencies• Relevant UNEP partner organisations



• CD ROM• Policy makers in private and public sectors• Civil society/NGOs•Media• Academia• Research organizations• Other UN Agencies• UNEP partner organizations



• Regional• Sub-regional• National

LaunchesLaunches


• Conferences• Book Fairs

DisplaysDisplays


• Target Audience• Attaining new converts in the sustainable

development agenda “Not preaching to the converted”•Making global issues relevant at lower levels• Producing target specific products - The human

perception of natural resource use is socially, economically, politically and culturally constructed

Key Communications ChallengesKey Communications Challenges


•Monitoring and Evaluation• Developing indicators for assessment of products• Setting realistic goals in terms of impacting on policy

making• Difficulties in establishing baseline• Impact assessment tools limited in their effectiveness•Mobility of respondents• Temporal dimensions of assessment• Reaching private individuals



• The Complexity of “influencing” Policy• Determining the impact of a publication on policy and

decision making • because of the number of variables influencing these processes at any one time.

For example; policy making is a complex, long term and subtle process

• Understanding environmental stakeholders i.e who counts most to assist decisions in policy



• Understanding the contradictions/conflicts between environmental policies and other development policies e.g. trade• Effectively tapping into policy development and

implementation processes- • Understanding power relations and competition• Knowledge of policy networks and competing interests



• Timeliness and relevance to agenda of stakeholders• Understanding the balance between global and national

priorities/interests e.g. USA and Kyoto; CITES ban on African elephant trade and interests of countries in southern Africa



• Identifying “targets” more effectively

• How to establish and maintain a market niche

• Effective marketing in an crowded environment

• How to influence policy

• Improving monitoring and evaluation of products

Expectations of the WorkshopExpectations of the Workshop


• The aim of research such as AEO is to be a catalyst for synergy between improved knowledge of environmental issues and the linkages between policy processes and options and the urgency to act.

Last WordLast Word


THANK YOUTHANK YOU

workshop on communication of environmental information

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