Communicating the Environment in Laos

Authors

  • Manfred Oepen

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.22032/dbt.49168

Abstract

This article reflects experiences and results from an environmental education and communication strategy (EECS) as part of a Lao-German development project of Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) over a 10-year period from 2011 to 2021. The article is divided into four parts. First, an overview of the project context and the media landscape in Laos is provided. Next, the conceptual framework of the communication strategy at the GIZ policy and project management level is presented. Subsequently, major features of the wide variety of environmental education and communication media productions and educational materials are highlighted. Another chapter summarizes the results of Knowledge, Attitude and Practice (KAP) surveys related to environmental awareness. Finally, monitoring and evaluation (M&E) and impact assessment results conclude lessons that can be learned from the project’s communication strategy.

Author Biography

Manfred Oepen

Manfred Oepen studied media and communication studies and political science at Freie Universität Berlin, Germany and Stanford University in the USA. He has 30 years of professional experience in official development assistance (ODA) with a focus on communicating sustainable development, environmental, biodiversity and climate change issues. Based on KAP and other surveys, he designed awareness raising and C4SC strategies and multi-media campaigns in numerous countries. He developed a 10-step guide on environmental communication strategy design that is widely used by ODA and environmental organizations. Since 1992, he has been managing director of ACT Assist, a private consulting company, and has advised the project described in the article since 2011.

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Published

2021-07-15

How to Cite

Oepen, M. (2021). Communicating the Environment in Laos. Global Media Journal - German Edition, 11(1). https://doi.org/10.22032/dbt.49168