[Coral-List] Effective communications tools?

[Ian Butler]

My two cents.....

I agree with you Gino, in my experience I have found the same in Papua New Guinea and Cambodia - find the "Big Man" (it usually is a guy...)  first and get that person on side.  This person may not be the person who you might think it is at first, ask around. It could be the oldest most experienced fisherman,  the richest person or the local police chief, for example - depends on the culture or group.  If that person is upset by you for some reason (eg  talking to others first)  you may find your efforts stymied.   Be sure to get the ladies on side, as well.  The ladies/wives always get so much done while the guys play chief... :)     (There may be a "Big Lady" amongst the ladies as well who can help get the ladies on side...)

Anyway, just my thoughts.

Cheers,
Ian

-----Original Message-----
From: coral-list-bounces at coral.aoml.noaa.gov [mailto:coral-list-bounces at coral.aoml.noaa.gov] On Behalf Of Gino Sabatini
Sent: Thursday, 20 December 2012 6:18 AM
To: Katherine McLean; coral-list at coral.aoml.noaa.gov
Subject: Re: [Coral-List] Effective communications tools?

Katherine -
When I've been in such situations... in small communities... my reaction is to go to the mayors office, such that he either calls the meeting or "approves" of it...  or I go to some other "high-ranking" official in the community who then gets the "OK".... buy-in into your project is very important... I've found this to work (over the years) in the Dominican Repubilic, in Madagasgar, and to a certain extent in middle eastern countries.... but also, a day or so ago Magnus Johnson reminded us of "Chapins thought provoking article: http://www.worldwatch.org/node/565".... read this article... and then keep trynig.
 
Gino Sabatini
Marine Science Consultant
 

________________________________
 From: Katherine McLean <kmclean at lakeheadu.ca>
To: coral-list at coral.aoml.noaa.gov
Sent: Wednesday, December 19, 2012 3:25 PM
Subject: [Coral-List] Effective communications tools?
  
I work with a small eNGO that operates in the Caribbean. One of the major challenges I am currently facing is the development of effective outreach and education campaigns to support our various projects. These projects generally deal with coastal resource management issues (fishing, coastal development… the usual for a small Caribbean Island). I am hoping that there are some of you out there who have recommendations of particularly effective communications tools that have been successful in community outreach efforts.



I am not sure that our pamphlets and other papers are very well received by fisherfolk, and community meetings are often expensive and poorly attended.
We are starting to try out hand at videos/documentaries.



Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Please contact me at kmclean at lakeheadu.ca.

Thanks and happy holidays!



Katie McLean
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