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Second Workshop on the PAU Communication Strategy (14-15 May 2019, Nairobi, Kenya)

|   PAU

The purpose of this workshop was to present and discuss the revised PAU Communications Strategy and to align the external communication of the PAU in terms of channels of communication, products, key messages and branding.

The purpose of this workshop was to present and discuss the revised PAU Communications Strategy and to align the external communication of the PAU in terms of channels of communication, products, key messages and branding.

The consultancy focused on strengthening PAU’s communication strategy to raise awareness, support the establishment of channels to strengthen communication with key stakeholders, sensitize on the need for a structured corporate branding, review and operationalise the existing communication strategy and finally update and review the current PAU website.

The workshop began with the presentation of the process where it was clear that the main objective of the consultancy was to create awareness within the key stakeholders for different purposes. During the workshop a presentation was made on the results of the survey sent to the participants to assess their knowledge, skills and improvement opportunities.

The presenting team (moderator and consultants), introduced the basic elements to build a communication strategy. After this theoretical presentation, participants were involved in a series of practical sessions, distributed into various working groups. The various exercises included a mapping group exercise, a messaging matrix exercise and an exercise on the implementation of a roadmap.

The main achievements of the workshop included an exchange of best practice examples of the work at the institutes and collegial advice, the development of stakeholder maps for each institute, the creation of an implementation roadmap of the revised PAU Communications Strategy. This workshop also identified the next steps at institute level, mapped out the PAU social media channels and trained PAU staff on the management of the new PAU website.

Several recommendations were made including the need to train PAU communication staff on the basics of communication, the production of videos, and media management, and promotion of a product and provide basic training in communication. It was also recommended to use the AU style Communication Guide as an inspiration guide to create PAU Style Communication and media guideline. In addition, the need for unity was expressed and solutions were suggested in that line.

The outcomes of the meeting included an agreement on a way forward for the operationalization of the revised PAU Communications Strategy, align understanding of the elements of a communications strategy as well as communication channels. It also pointed out the need to enhance the management skills for social media and align the implementation of the communication strategy at the level of Institutes. Finally, it was also agreed to enhance capacities in the development of communication strategies and how to use TYPO3.