The recent Caribbean Communications Regional Workshop held in Port of Spain, Trinidad, 26 – 28 September 2023, was a resounding success, marking a pivotal moment in the UN's communications efforts in the Caribbean region. Organised by the United Nations Information Centre for the Caribbean Area (UNIC Caribbean), this transformative gathering brought together communication professionals from the Resident Coordinator Offices and UN System Agencies, Funds, and Programs with responsibilities in the Caribbean. The workshop's aim was precise: to elevate UN Communications in the Caribbean and reinforce the management and elaboration of communication strategies.

With special guest Janos Tisovszky, Deputy Director of the Campaigns and Country Operations Division in the UN Secretariat’s Department of Global Communications (DGC), in attendance, the UNIC Director Liliana Garavito introduced five core sessions over three days that would see the objectives met and yielded several key takeaways and future initiatives aimed at strengthening UN communications efforts in the region.

 

A Shared Vision: UN's Commitment to the Caribbean

The 21 English and Dutch-speaking countries and territories in the Caribbean share a vision of peace, prosperity, progress, and sustainability. This vision is embodied in the United Nations Multi-Country Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (MSDCF), which lays out a coordinated approach to advancing four key pillars of development: Peace, safety, justice, and the rule of law; Economic resilience and shared prosperity; Equality and well-being; and Resilience to climate change and shocks, and sustainable natural resource management.

Delivering Information: The Right Way Matters

Effective communication relies on timely and organised information delivery. The UN communicators in the Caribbean understands the importance of providing easily digestible content, including summaries, audio clips, and high-quality photography. This approach ensures that the media can access accurate and relevant materials promptly, reinforcing the UN's commitment to transparency and cooperation.

Building Trust and Rapport: The Personal Touch

In today's digital age, personal relationships remain at the core of effective communication. Establishing trust and rapport with journalists fosters a more open and collaborative environment. The UN values these relationships and actively engages with journalists to provide accurate information and encourage cooperation.

Innovative Communication

To stay ahead in the fast-evolving media landscape, the UN in the Caribbean is exploring innovative communication methods. The real-time platform enables swift updates and direct interactions with journalists, enhancing engagement and accessibility.

Investing in Success: Financing the UNCG

Adequate funding is essential to ensuring effective communication through the United Nations Country Team (UNCG) in the Caribbean. Financial support for the UNCG enables the organisation to execute communication strategies, reach a broader audience, and effectively convey its message.

Strategic Priorities: Guiding the Way

At the outset of each year, the UN in the Caribbean will define its priorities, providing a strategic framework for communication efforts. This proactive approach ensures that resources are allocated efficiently to address regional issues, setting the stage for impactful engagement with the media.

Promoting MSDCF Priorities: A Central Objective

One of the primary objectives is to promote the priorities of the Multi-Country Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework. Insights and conclusions from audience groups guide the development of initiatives and activities aligned with these priorities, ensuring that communication efforts address local needs and broader development goals.

Leadership and Collaboration: Bringing Heads Closer to Communication

Transparency and collaboration are critical principles in UN communication efforts. The UN in the Caribbean is working to bring agency heads and Resident Coordinators (RCs) closer to communication initiatives, ensuring alignment with overarching goals and priorities.

Collaborative Content Sharing: Expanding Reach

The UN is inviting agencies, partners, and stakeholders to share their content. The UN can reach a wider audience through the Caribbean UN portal and social media channels by pooling resources and sharing information.

Proactive Monitoring: Staying Ahead

Media monitoring and social listening are indispensable in an era of information overload. These practices and tools allow the UN to proactively address emerging issues, prevent and respond to potential crises, and take action in real time.

Empowering Journalists

Recognising the pivotal role of journalists, the UN in the Caribbean is committed to empowering them with knowledge. Workshops and training sessions were a focal point of the regional workshop, providing journalists with insights into the UN's work, priorities, and initiatives in the Caribbean. These sessions provided journalists with the tools to tell informed and impactful stories.

A Unified Voice for the UN in the Caribbean

The Caribbean Communications Regional Workshop marked a transformative moment for UN communications in the Caribbean. With a shared vision, empowered journalists, innovative strategies, and a commitment to transparency and collaboration, the UN is poised to engage with the media effectively and convey its message to a broader audience. These initiatives underscore the UN's dedication to making a meaningful impact in the Caribbean region, uniting to tell the story of the UN's vital work.

On the last day, three senior UN officials in the Caribbean held a press briefing with attendees to discuss the outcomes of the recently concluded UN SDG Summit and place it within the context of the MSDCF and the Caribbean. The three senior UN officials who participated were Joanna Kazana, UN Resident Coordinator for Trinidad and Tobago, Aruba, Curacao, and Sint Maarten; Diane Quarless, Director of the United Nations Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC) Subregional Headquarters for the Caribbean; and Dennis Zulu, Resident Coordinator in Jamaica, The Bahamas, Bermuda, Turks and Caicos and Cayman Islands.

The UNIC successfully achieved its objectives at the end of the Retreat. Carla Alleyne of the UN World Food Programme (WFP) Caribbean Multi-Country Office Caribbean said the retreat provided an opportunity to “strengthen partnerships with fellow UN agencies and media.” Shireen Cuthbert of the UN International Labour Organization echoed her sentiments, stating the retreat allowed the UN Caribbean communications network to “strengthen our synergies as we work together to support the acceleration of the 2030 Agenda.”

Addressing the outcomes, special guest Janos Tisovszky said, “The Workshop put UNIC Caribbean on the map – showed its talent, capacity, and what it can do to bring the Caribbean comms community together and link the community to global communications work.”

 

 

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