Author: Ali Bukar Ahmad, RCE Kano The Crux of our Communication: As a colleague rightly put it; the substance of communication in most organizations is often downplayed. But in collaboration, partnership, cooperation, research and development team work like ours, two way communications is the life blood of the system for without it the whole system will not succeed. There is need for comprehensive set of communication methods (considering our diversity and that of our activities) which will provide a framework for all activities in our communication system. Method and techniques which apply to different aspect of communication (non verbal communication should be used; poster exchange, images and other visuals) must fit into the framework with clear interfaces and fully understood with observed checkpoints (which can be done by the communication working group). With a comprehensive set of communication methods and techniques, which are fully compatible and up to date , there should be common basis for the integration of many view point and the cooperative use of different skills. Ours should be communication and outreach, so there should be feedback from the RCEs to the community and external colleagues. The difference between communication and information is the feedback, communication incorporates feedback and information does not. How well we strategize our communication will define who we are, what we do , for whom and what. Our communication competencies, analysis, planning, technique and methodologies will further define our commons and joint economic, social and ecological goals. (Almost all RCEs from Africa, Asia, America and Europe consider think through information on RCE activities as either their first or second priority-Result of RCE communication survey 2008) Communication among the RCEs and with outside should be continuous and even isolated and adhoc initiative should be integrated. Project and programs should be defined upfront what for and for whom information is meant and how beneficiaries from where ever they are supposed to translate them into communication and action in a local context. ESD is a very complex goal and the development of ESD communication strategy is also very complex. Therefore the responsibility of effective and efficient communication should be shouldered by all RCEs and the UNU-IAS.( concept for an online portal for RCEs draft 12 May 2010) Communication in partnership and collaboration is not an option but a necessity. We should always ask who should do what? Why are they not doing it? What are the communication barriers? Where and how do we reach relevant group, which tradition and means communication do they use. Whichever means of communication we chose to use, should be easily accessible and available to the target audience. In the spirit of “Nobody knows everything, but everybody knows something”, our greatest asset is our expertise, so we should always be ready to give out and take in of our expertise. And that can only be possible through communication within us and with the outside We have to be constantly analyzing our existing system of commu7nication and determine thereafter, new requirements. The objectives of communications among us and outside should be among others: Inform, educate, and create awareness and direct actions Influence behavior, change attitude, work, methods and practices Reach out to partners Build partnership and collaborate Monitor, evaluate and give feedbacks Bridge all the gaps and wipe out barriers