With the support of multitudes: using strategic communication to fight poverty through PRSPs

This publication has been produced to improve the chances of success of Poverty Reduction Strategies (PRSs) by showing policy makers how strategic communication can help them achieve their objectives and by giving technocrats and officials guidance on best practices and lessons learnt from a community of practice spread around the world. Strategic communications is the active seeking of the perspectives and contributions of citizens so that they can help to shape policy. It also means ensuring that mechanisms are in place for a two-way flow of information and ideas between the government and citizens to contribute to building support for the national development strategy. Some of the main issues confronting strategic communications include: lack of information about strategies; lack of trust and confidence about the process; so-called participatory exercises are still too often mere public information campaigns; and too often the communications processes come to an end once the PRSP is finalised. The report is structured into four main parts: strategic communication in PRSPs: an overview; country case studies (Ghana, Moldova, Tanzania) and lessons learnt; short case studies (Bolivia, Cambodia, Kyrgyz Republic, Pakistan and Rwanda); and Appendices of additional material.