Projects - Strategic Communications
Strategic Communications in Countries Emerging from Violent Conflict Conference 2009
"Strategic Communications must be incorporated into policy at an early stage", agree the delegates and speakers at Albany’s International Conference.
Speaking at the recent conference ‘Strategic Communications in Countries Emerging from Violent Conflict’ organised by communications specialists Albany Associates, General Sir Michael Jackson, Alastair Campbell, Edward Mortimer and Jamie Shea all agreed that effective pro-active management of information, within stabilisation efforts and peace-building operations, is crucial to strategic thinking within the communications context. Moreover, the most important factor in strategic communications is the ability for different stakeholders to form a coherent and coordinated strategy and organisations should never tire of repeating the key messages.
This very successful two-day conference, co-hosted by Post Conflict People, sponsored by Bell Pottinger and supported by Portland, provided a forum to share experiences from the field and academic knowledge to formalize thinking and consider models for the implementation of strategic communications. It brought together over 120 communications experts from a range of backgrounds, including senior delegates from the UK and US Governments, the EU, NATO, MoD, the United Nations and other International organisations, NGO's, Academia, Media and the Private Sector. The discussions centered around how strategic communications can be incorporated into policy at an early stage, and how to win the critical battle for ‘hearts and minds’ using effective and targeted communications techniques.
The conference was kicked off with a compelling presentation by Nik Gowing of the Reuters Institute, with observations of the impact of new communications technology on both Media organisations and governments. “This is the tyranny of real time and the tyranny of time line.” Nik articulated that the speed of information transfer shortens the news timeline from hours to minutes, and that the breadth of information transfer challenges the hegemony of major institutions of power.
Former NATO Spokesman Jamie Shea said: “In the past we haven’t been too good at strategic communications, but we have to improve and we can do that by sharing best practice so we can get it right in the future. Conferences like this help us do that”.
Alastair Campbell, former press secretary to Tony Blair, said: “Although vitally important, the concept of strategic communications is still chronically misunderstood to the detriment of government departments and trans-governmental organisations”, before adding that “rather than being a force for manipulation, strategic communication is an essential process which gives the policy makers the space they need to get from A to B.”
Simon Haselock, Director Albany Associates said: “This Conference has proven the need that we have to get our message right and we have to think about what we’re saying, in many respects strategic communication is about communicating on one hand and listening on the other.”
Andy Bearpark, Director Post Conflict People stated in the closing remarks, “…that strategy and tactics were vital, but that they would only succeed if they were properly resourced”, a message he directed firmly at programme managers.
Further information at info@albanyassociates.com and imagery of the event can be viewed at Albany’s Flikr account: http://bit.ly/3C1VX.
Click here for the Conference Programme
Click here for the Conference Report
Exercise Joint Venture 2008
During the latter half of last year Albany Associates coordinated the cross government strategic communications input and delivery for Exercise Joint Venture 2008 (JV08) . The Joint Venture series of MOD exercises is the UK's biennial capstone Joint Force exercise for the planning and conduct of military operations in a medium scale Stabilisation Intervention operation in a crisis country. However, recognising that military responses to crises are aways part of a wider Government effort, a major theme of this recent exercise was to practice and develop a cross government 'Comprehensive approach'. To achieve this the other departments that would be involved in mounting and managing such an operation were included in the exercise. Therefore, in addition to the Ministry of Defence (MoD), the Cabinet Office, the Department for International Development (DfID), the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO), and the Stabilisation Unit (SU) were also involved.
The principle idea was to exercise & refine a model for cross-government command & control drawing on lessons from the operations where UK forces and civilians are deployed for real. This model was based on an in-theatre Steering Group led by a senior Civil Servant that received policy from a Whitehall based Senior Officials Group. The resulting operational guidance & direction handed down from the Steering Group was implemented through a cross-government Stabilisation Planning Team to the individual departments be it the FCO, DfID or the Military themselves.
Albany Associates were contracted by the Stabilisation Unit to coordinate cross government Strategic Communications. Prior to the deployment phase of the exercise this meant coordinating consultations across government departments and drawing up the central Communications Strategy and core script. During the deployment and implementation phase in RAF Akrotiri between 24 November and 5 December, Albany director Simon Haselock sat on the Steering Group as the high level Strategic Communications advisor and a further Albany consultant, Sarah Fradgley, provided strategic communications advice and guidance in the Stabilisation Planning Team.
Albany Associates are now assisting the Stabilisation Unit with the 'after action' reporting and lessons learned.
Lebanon - Project to provide technical assistance to the Lebanese Palestinian Dialogue Committee (LPDC)
Clients:
- United Kingdom, Global Opportunities Fund
Dates: September 2008 - January 2010
Albany is currently providing strategic communications support and advice on Human Security to the Lebanese Palestinian Dialogue Committee (LPDC). The project foresees the development of a comprehensive strategic communications plan aimed at supporting and improving the Government of Lebanon’s work with the Palestinian refugee community living in Lebanon, in the context of future conflict prevention. More specifically, it will result in the production of a Security Plan for Nahr el Bared refugee camp (outside Tripoli, north Lebanon), which was destroyed during fighting between the Lebanese Armed Forces and members of terrorist group, Fatah el Islam, in summer 2007.
The development of the plan will be based on a bottom-up approach that takes full account of the needs, wishes and human rights of residents and the surrounding community. If successful, the plan could form the basis for a nationwide strategy to improving living conditions and security in the 12 Palestinian refugee camps around Lebanon. Albany will also provide advice and support to improve identification of, and communication with, stakeholders to improve policy-making in areas of key importance to the Palestinian community in Lebanon.
Sudan: Public Information Campaign regarding Peace Process in Darfur
Please visit our Sudan page for more detailed information of our projects in Sudan and examples of our work.
Clients:
- United Kingdom, Stabilisation Unit
- Netherlands, Ministry of International Development and Cooperation
- Government of Canada, Department of Foreign Affairs & International Trade
- European Commission, Sudan
- African Union Mission in Sudan (AMIS)
- The United Nations – Africa Union Mission in Darfur (UNAMID)
Dates: June 2006 to July 2008
The initial project goals were to support the African Union Mission to Sudan (AMIS) in its efforts to inform the public in Darfur about the peace process as it unfolds. Albany now has the same objectives with UNAMID, but with an eye to transitioning its public information responsibilities to the UN mission’s Public Information department over time. The UN has considered Albany’s involvement to be critical to the success of its mission and maintaining continuity between the AMIS and UNAMID during this important transitional period.
Albany has designed a number of products and programs to make relevant concepts more accessible to Darfurians, including newspapers, radio programs in local languages, printed and illustrated summaries, street theatre, and the Afia Darfur arts and music festival.
Albany also won a competitive tender issued by the EC to organise an EC Delegation Conference for human rights NGOs running programs in Darfur. The conference hosted over 100 local and international participants in Khartoum over three days in December 2007. Albany made all arrangements for the event, including regarding facilitators and key note speakers.
Click here for the Sudan page.
United Arab Emirates: Creation of Communications Strategy and Implementation Plan
Clients:
- Telecommunications Regulatory Authority of the UAE
Dates: September 2007 to December 2007
Albany won the tender to draft a new Communications Strategy and Implementation Plan for the TRA designed to provide comprehensive, targeted strategic direction for the TRA to effectively communicate with all its stakeholders and audiences – in the UAE and internationally. The bespoke Communications Plan was designed to support the TRA’s implementation of the objectives of the Communications Strategy and includes recommendations for the requirements for full technical and human resources and future training requirements. Albany consultants provided a full communications audit before drafting the Communication Strategy and plan in full consultation with the TRA’s relevant departments. The final strategy included key success indicators that can be measured by the TRA. In addition, Albany assisted the TRA in strengthening their internal communications systems based on an ethos of two-way communications to ensure all staff are fully briefed on the TRA’s objectives, values and mission.
Iraq: International Public Relations and Capacity Building
Client: Communications and Media Commission of Iraq (CMC)
Dates: Nov 2005 to Nov 2006, April to July 2007
A key goal of this project was to build, manage and enhance the reputation of the CMC, its Chief Executive Officer and Commissioners through a comprehensive targeted strategic communications and public relations program. Additionally, Albany provided advice on how to build the necessary technical and staffing capabilities to meet the demands of the fast-moving communications sectors in Iraq. This project also required liaising with international organisations on behalf of the CMC and developing publications to communicate on important issues and events.
Kosovo: Strategic Communications for Internal Security Sector Review
Client: United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)
Dates: May 2006 to November 2006
Albany won a contract to provide advice and technical on-site assistance to the UNDP’s Public Communications Team on the Internal Security Sector Review (ISSR) process. Albany consultants assisted in all outreach programs, managed a mobile information centre, arranged the production of a series of radio and television programs, and organised media events to promote the process to the public in Kosovo.
Iraq: Strategic Communications regarding UK Programs in Basra
Client: British Consulate
Dates: August 2006
Albany facilitated the development of a strategic communications plan designed to create, and disseminate to Iraqis, positive messages regarding programs funded by the UK in and around Basra.
United Kingdom: Strategic Communications and Public Diplomacy
Client: United Kingdom’s Post Conflict Reconstruction Unit
Dates: June 2006
Albany provided advice on information and public diplomacy strategies to the PCRU’s Inter-Agency Planning Team in the run up to a major strategic planning event.
Kosovo: Strategic Communications and Public Diplomacy Regarding Standards for Kosovo
Client: Provisional Institutions of Self Government
Dates: May 2005 to Oct 2005
Albany was contracted by the Government of Kosovo—specifically the Presidency and the Office of the Prime Minister—to assist with their public diplomacy and strategic communications. This included the development of a Directorate of Public Information with specific emphasis on assisting with public information systems and practice and providing direct advice on how to manage international perceptions vis-à-vis its progress on the Standards for Kosovo, which are the benchmarks for the commencement of final status discussions.
Afghanistan: Support to the Afghan Government – Afghan National Development Strategy (ANDS)
Clients: Government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan
United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan
Dates: 28 April – Current
Albany is helping the Afghan government and the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA), to develop an implementation plan for the effective communication of the Afghan National Development Strategy (ANDS) in both Afghanistan and abroad.
Key areas of focus include making assessments of; the current communications environment, the existing ANDS communications strategy, and Afghan government ministries and International stakeholders understanding of the ANDS and its communication. Our project team is also identifying potential partners for the implementation phase of the finalised communications plan, and will make specific recommendations on how to best utilise the communications opportunity presented by ANDS first anniversary in summer 2009.
Albany Associates is also advising on the wider Afghan government effort to communicate its successes in promoting economic and social development in Afghanistan.
