Addis Ababa, August 7, 2023 (FBC) – The African Union Commission recently organised a meeting of communications experts from across the African Union entities and partners to discuss strategic communications for the Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP).
The gathering of communications experts focused on refining communication workplans and methods to enhance awareness and understanding of CAADP’s goals and initiatives.
The experts highlighted the pressing need for improved strategies for communication and enhanced collaborative efforts to drive agricultural development across the continent.
The event emphasized the importance of bridging communication gaps and forming a formal working group to address these issues.
The meeting underscored the significance of youth, women, farmers associations, and Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) and other non-state actors as important voices in agriculture who should be integral to these processes especially at the grassroots level.
The participants proposed a variety of tools such as succinct policy briefs, engaging infographics, and dynamic social media campaigns, aimed at proficiently conveying the core essence of CAADP’s mission.
Experts recommended revamping and sustaining a journalist and media network dedicated to covering agricultural developments and CAADP-related news. Encouraging media coverage of CAADP events, milestones, and success stories was identified as a crucial step in raising awareness and promoting accountability.
The meeting also addressed the importance of creating a coordinated framework for communication efforts across different levels, from continental to regional and national.
The participants also discussed the need to integrate communication activities within the broader CAADP process, including the BR cycles. They stressed the significance of aligning communication strategies with the goals of each BR cycle and ensuring that the results and recommendations are effectively communicated to all relevant stakeholders.
The experts emphasised the importance of sustained efforts to promote effective communication, collaboration, and advocacy for CAADP’s objectives. Participants highlighted the significance of collaboration among AU, RECs, national governments, CSOs, and media. They agreed to champion CAADP processes within their organisations, enhance strategies to work in harmony with various partners for coherence and impactful outcomes.
The meeting served as a rallying point for various partners to recognize the challenges and opportunities in communicating the importance of agricultural development across Africa.