IIED’s Communications Learning Week (May 2015)

In May 2015, delegates from Indonesia, Kenya, Vietnam, Bangladesh, India and Uganda arrived in London to meet with communications colleagues from IIED in the latest of the institute's week-long learning weeks, aimed at sharing knowledge and providing all participants with a greater understanding of global communications issues. Here's what happened the previous year...

As a significant event in the calendar of the IIED communications team, anticipation was high...

The first day focused on communication challenges and opportunities in the participants' countries and examined how to put together a communications strategy...

The second day began with a discussion, which included researchers, on how to best communicate with policymakers, including a practical session on using video. The afternoon continued the theme with a focus on writing for impact and dealing with the media.

Day three introduced digital communications as participants looked at the pros and cons of online dissemination methods before turning their attention to email newsletters. In the afternoon, delegates started writing blogs about their experiences during the week, and were shown the edited videos they had filmed the previous day.

The fourth and final day saw participants take a closer look at social media; the main channels, the range of tools available, how to repurpose content, how to compile a social media strategy and how to measure and analyse effectiveness...