Participants

• Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Mexico, Paraguay, Uruguay

Instructor

• Dr. Jody Lanard, Crisis Communication Consultant

Goals

• Develop skills in crisis and emergency (risk) communication geared toward avian/pandemic influenza planning and preparation.
• Ensure that mechanisms exist within National Influenza Preparedness Plans for communicating among agencies, to the media, the public, and to essential partners focusing on prevention and preparation.
• Design culturally appropriate messages for varied publics.
• Develop a regional health communicator’s network to facilitate support, share messages and develop best practices.

Conclusion

• A cadre of communication officers trained in crisis and emergency (risk) communication strategies and tactics.
• National communication plans critiqued, analyzed and incorporated into the National Influenza Preparedness Plan.
• Mechanisms to put the plans into action and ensure follow up evaluation.
• A regional communicator’s network framework in place to share materials, exchange ideas, and build on best practices.