HI 035: CERTIFICATE IN HUMANITARIAN COMMUNICATIONS

The ultimate test of an organization’s communication skills is how it deals with a corporate or organizational crisis. It is not difficult to see why there is an expanding media which is tough on what it regards as management incompetence; shareholders and customers becoming more demanding; legislation and regulation are being strengthened and there is greater commercial competition.
Communication in humanitarian settings is important to ensuring effective key program implementation and beneficiaries’satisfaction. Communication is central before, during, and when closing a humanitarian program as it is the only link between different actors and within different groups.
In terms of communication, a crisis is considered to be an incident or situation, whether real or rumored or alleged, that can focus on negative attention on a company or organization internally in the media or key audiences. The course therefore is meant to inculcate knowledge and skills on how a humanitarian worker should handle communication in midst of a crisis to safeguard the image of the organization at the same time keep the public involved.
The topics to be covered include the following;

• Understanding crises and the theory of communication- understanding crises, elements of crisis management, stakeholders and audiences, third party endorsements, communication in a crisis, how the media works, lobbying, the price of failure
• Complaints against the media
• Information Technology
• Practical crisis communication- Internal audiences, the crisis team, crisis planning, and whistle-blowing
• Media handling

Course Begins on the 1st of every month for 3 months.
Course Level: Certificate Course
Cost: Amount €500