Living Room Series 1: Communication for Integration

How we all live together is becoming one of the defining challenges of the 21st century. In a world which can feel increasingly polarised and divided, our Living Room series of three one hour online webinars will explore a particular theme from a range of different perspectives.

Aimed at those who are leading on programmes of work where integration and cohesion are key considerations, each Living Room series will be a forum for peer learning and sharing good practice across different sectors and localities.

Living Room Series 1 will focus on communication for integration.

The way we communicate with the range of different audiences in local places to support greater empathy between groups and tackle prejudice and other barriers to integration is a real challenge in this technological age.

This series will explore innovative ways organisations can address these challenges, from tailoring messages to different audiences, working with the local media, and dealing with hostility online. A guest speaker will present on a particular aspect of their work, and this will be followed by a facilitated online discussion with the audience. This first series of webinars will run in February, see below for more information on topics, speakers, dates and sign up.

____________________________________________________________

Communication for Integration Session One: audiences and messaging for communication campaigns

Steve Ballinger from British Future, an independent think tank which engages people’s hopes and fears about integration and migration, will discuss how civil society organisations, local authorities and individual practitioners can build effective narratives and communication campaigns which successfully combat hate crime and prejudice. Drawing upon a range of original research and analysis of previous campaigns, this will be an evidence-based and jam-packed webinar looking at how to engage the right audience and use the correct messaging to increase the likelihood of success.

Speaker: Steve Ballinger, Director of Communications for British Future

Wednesday 12th February 1300 –1400

_____________________________________________________________

Communication for Integration Session Two: the local view –overcoming communication strategy challenges

Social Integration Communications Managers Claire Tulloch from Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council and Charlotte Gough from Walsall Council (two of the Integration Areas) discuss some of the key challenges they have faced in sharing positive stories and promoting the integration agenda and how they have overcome them. This webinar will explore how these challenges have shaped their communications strategy and how relationships with a variety of stakeholders are key to its delivery. All sessions will have a Q&A where participants can ask further questions.

Speakers: Claire Tulloch & Charlotte Gough, Social Integration Communications Managers for Blackburn with Darwen Council and Walsall Council

Wednesday 19th February 1300 –1400

_____________________________________________________________

Communication for Integration Session Three: effective storytelling

For this session, Emma Harrison CEO from the charity IMIX, which builds organisations’ capacity to effectively communicate on migrant, refugee and integration issues, will discuss the common challenges organisations face in sharing their stories with the media and the wider public. Emma will explore the practical tools organisations can use to communicate with the media and create effective, compelling stories with limited resources. All sessions will have a Q&A where participants can ask further questions.

Speaker: Emma Harrison, CEO of IMIX

Wednesday 26th February 1300 –1400

 

Chatham House rules will apply. Standard and Advanced Belong members can sign up to the series for free as part of their membership package however there will be a fee charged for Associates and non-members. It is not possible to purchase tickets for individual webinars. 

Deadline for series sign up is February 6th 2020.