Media and External Relations

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MEDIA AND EXTERNAL RELATIONS

Disaster and humanitarian organizations cannot achieve their missions alone. Their best efforts and intentions can either be abetted or hindered by external stakeholders such as the media, governments, advocacy organizations and donors. Thus, it is critical that staff in disaster and humanitarian organizations possess the knowledge and skills to develop and maintain effective relationships with these external stakeholders.

Representative Projects:

Managing External Relations (UNHCR):
InterWorks researched, wrote and produced the self-study module "Managing External Relations" for UNHCR Emergency Preparedness and Response Section's competency programme in collaboration with the University of Wisconsin Disaster Management Center. This module covers relations with the media, with govenrments and with donors.

The News Media and Humanitarian Action (UNDP/DHA Disaster Management Training Programme): InterWorks prepared this module based on a number of media relations sources including content found in the handbook "The News Media, Civil War and Humanitarian Action," authored by Larry Minear, Colin Scott and Thomas Weiss and published by Lynne Rienner Publishers, Boulder/London 1996. This module helps the reader better understand the news media's multiple agendas and functions and recognize that the influence of the news media on policymaking and humanitarian response is inconsistent. It also provides guidelines and tips for dealing effectively with the media and conducting interviews.