Communicating Policy in an Age of Contestation

Course Name (for Listing)

Communicating Policy in an Age of Contestation

Content

Overview

In formulating and implementing policies, government officials interact regularly with policy makers, the general public, media, and people from other government or non-government agencies. Policy communication plays a key role in all stages in the process, and effectiveness in policy communication may have significant impact on the outcomes of policy interventions. Effective policy communication requires a deep understanding of not only why people in policy systems behave the way they do, but also how best to shape messaging to influence them, as well challenges and opportunities brought about by digital technology.
 

This three-day executive education program is designed for public sector managers in Hong Kong who aspire to enhance their knowledge and skills in policy communication. The program addresses key issues and unique challenges in policy communication in Hong Kong, and draws on insights and lessons from policy communication practices in other countries such as Australia, Singapore, US, and UK.

 

Objectives

This program will help participants to:

  • Make sense of the current complexities in public making 

  • Navigate key moral and ethical dilemmas of being a public official in an age with contested values

  • Understand data analytics/statistics and commission key pieces of communications/research to help in communicating difficult or controversial policies

  • Engage diverse stakeholders with different needs effectively

  • Understand the changing media landscape and complex political realities of the public policy work in HK

 

Who Should Attend 

The program is designed for public sector managers in Hong Kong who deal with difficult or controversial issues and want to enhance their knowledge and skills in policy communication, in particular on wicked problems with high political salience.

 

Curriculum

  • Effective Communication in Public Sector

  • Communicating in the Policy Process

  • Effective Communications: Insights from Behavioral Science

  • Communications and Behavioral Science: Successful Stories from around the World

  • Advocacy and Stakeholder Engagement

  • Crisis Communication: The Role of Public Relations

  • Political scandals and contests for the Public

  • Contest for the Public

  • Media, Messaging, and Emotions in Policy Communication

Weight
500