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From strategy to studio: Inside the UN Strategic Communications in Action pilot course
In May 2024, communications professionals from across the UN system came together in Bonn for the pilot edition of UN Strategic Communications in Action — the first in-person offering of this flagship course. Following years of online learning due to COVID, this event marked a key milestone in UNSSC’s commitment to enhancing skills and strengthening connections among UN communicators.
What did we learn from running this pilot? And what did participants take away? Here are three key insights:
PEER-TO-PEER CONNECTION: THE ONE UN SPIRIT
From Somalia to Spain, from UNICEF to UNEP, communicators gathered in Bonn to sharpen their skills in managing pressing communications challenges, such as crises and information integrity.
Despite their diverse backgrounds, participants found common ground in the core challenges they face in their day-to-day work: demonstrating the value of communications, building trust with audiences, and effectively showcasing the UN’s impact.
With 24 participants from 21 countries representing 12 UN agencies and Resident Coordinator Offices (RCOs), the course became not only a space for peer learning but also for collective envisioning of a more connected UN. As one participant shared:
"I want to go back to the idea of One UN — I would like to see more collaboration."
The takeaway for UNSSC? Bringing communicators together has the power to bridge gaps across the fragmented communications landscape of the UN system.
A TOOLBOX FOR TELLING THE UN STORY
“The world needs credible and convincing leaders capable of telling powerful stories to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).”
Today’s communicators need a diverse set of tools to tell the UN's story. This course expanded participants' toolboxes, covering everything from the UN Global Communications Strategy to crisis communications, theory of change, and storytelling.
Jonathan Greenway, Head of Strategic & Crisis Communications at the UN Department of Global Communications, offered a rare insight into the UN's key communications priorities, particularly in crisis contexts. He also led a hands-on exercise where participants navigated a simulated crisis that combined political and environmental challenges, reflecting the interconnected nature of crises communicators often face.
The storytelling workshop, led by Cedric Monteiro, Regional Communications Advisor for UNDP Asia & Pacific, was one of the most powerful moments of the course. Work-in-progress stories were displayed on the screen and refined in real-time through a dynamic group editing session. This collaborative review process, in which everyone built on each other’s feedback, resulted in a stronger, more polished narrative.
The takeaway for UNSSC? Group work in action reveals the magic of collaboration. Through this process, diverse perspectives converge to sharpen ideas and enhance communication, paving the way for demonstrably stronger results
BEHIND THE CAMERA: HANDS-ON MEDIA TRAINING
One of the most unique aspects of the course was the opportunity to practice media interviews in a real TV studio, offering an unparalleled sense of realism and a chance for participants to put their skills to the test.
Guided by media trainers with backgrounds at Reuters, The Wall Street Journal, and other top outlets, participants practiced delivering key messages on camera, bridging difficult questions, and staying calm under pressure. This kind of experiential learning helps communicators not only feel more confident in front of the camera, but also better equip their colleagues with the guidance and preparation needed for media engagements.
"It was an eye-opener — something I'd never been exposed to before."
The takeaway for UNSSC? More than just skill-building, the immersive experience of hands-on learning in a real-world setting fosters lasting confidence and enthusiasm in their work.
