Workshop shows scientists how to communicate complex forest issues

 Laxenburg, Austria - Successfully communicating complex messages related to science, especially information involving climate change and the forest sector, was the theme of a workshop held today for scientists from around the world.

The focus of the three-day event, Cool Forests Conference (IBFRA18) hosted by the International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis (IIASA), is the critical role that boreal and mountain ecosystems play in the lives of people, the bioeconomy, and climate. Its goal is to raise awareness, and maintain and promote the multiple values provided by these ecosystems.

Faheem Chaudhry, Senior Strategist, M&C Saatchi London, outlined lessons from the world of advertising.  Kai Lintunen, Head of International Communications, Finnish Forest Association and Leader, UNECE-FAO Forest Communicators Network, and Maria De Cristofaro, Forestry Officer, Outreach and Capacity Building at FAO — focused on the value of using plain language to ensure complex messages are heard and understood. Jennifer Hayes, Interim Director, Science Application and Communication, United States Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station, explained the important role that scientists can play in communication on these critical issues.

The session was moderated by Florian Kraxner, Deputy Programme Director, Ecosystems Services and Management Programme, IIASA. 

Source: FAO