Capacity-Building Workshop in Papua New Guinea Enhances Communication Strategies (February 13th-14th, 2024)
A successful capacity-building workshop focusing on the nexus of forests, climate change, and biodiversity was held on 13-14 February 2024 at Koitaki Country Club, Central Province, Papua New Guinea. The event, named “Forests, Climate Change & Biodiversity Nexus Communications & Knowledge Management (KM) Capacity-Building Workshop,” was facilitated by Leona Liu, an expert in communications and knowledge management, and Cory Wright, an international film and photography consultant.
The workshop aimed to enhance the communication and knowledge management skills of relevant stakeholders. Key objectives included facilitating stakeholder consultations to address current communication challenges, brainstorming effective outreach pathways, establishing uniform key messaging and branding guidelines, and developing a shared plan for knowledge management platforms. Additionally, the workshop aimed to create a communications toolkit and inaugurate a working committee focused on “Forests, Climate Change & Biodiversity.”
Papua New Guinea (PNG), with its rich biodiversity and extensive tropical forests, plays a crucial role in global conservation efforts. The country’s forests are home to 10,973 plant species, 64% of which are endemic, making PNG a significant biodiversity hotspot. Recognizing the need for conservation, the FAO has been collaborating with the PNG government on various projects, including the GEF7 project (2023-2026), AIM4FORESTS (2023-2028), the EU-funded forestry-climate change-biodiversity nexus project, and the ongoing UN-REDD Programme.
The workshop saw participation from key stakeholders, including:
The workshop, attended by 11 participants including FAO staff and international consultants, successfully met its objectives. It informed the Communications & Knowledge Management Strategy for the project “Enabling Sustainable Production Landscapes in Eastern Highlands and Western Highlands Provinces for Biodiversity, Human Livelihoods and Well-Being.”
One of the significant achievements was the establishment of the Communications & Knowledge Management Working Committee. This committee aims to foster effective communication and collaboration between PNG government agencies, provincial administrations, and international organizations. It also seeks to empower local organizations by providing a learning platform with international experts and ensuring consistency in branding and messaging among partner organizations.
The Working Committee has planned monthly meetings to maintain momentum and ensure ongoing collaboration. Additionally, participants received a visual starter kit containing high-quality photographs, video footage, and interviews from a FAO mission to the National Forestry Inventory site at Baiyer Wildlife Sanctuary in the Western Highland Provinces.
This workshop represents a critical step forward in enhancing the communication strategies necessary for effective forest conservation and climate action in Papua New Guinea.
By: Leona Liu, FAO Communications & KM Expert (Consultant)