Advisory Forum, September 2005 Communication and risk communication strategy Ben Duncan ECDC Press Spokesman (as from 16 October) Mobile:

Advisory Forum, September 2005 Contents Introductory remarks –Ben Duncan –Risk and crisis communication –Health communication ECDC Strategy Paper  input from AF –Key ideas –Developing our vision –Immediate action –Next steps Discussion

Advisory Forum, September 2005 About me 6/ DG SANCO, Brussels Head of External Comms DG SANCO, Brussels Media Officer British Medical Assoc., Brussels Lobbying, PR, journalism Various media/PR and public policy work in Brussels Academic: Law, politics, social science LL.B (Lancs.), LL.M (Edin.), Barrister (Lon.) Languages: English and French

Advisory Forum, September 2005 Risk and Crisis Communications Life in the media spotlight….

Advisory Forum, September 2005

But not every ‘risk story’ is a crisis…. E.g. Acrylamide in fried food (2002), semicarbazide in baby food (2003), Mercury in fish (2004), BSE found in a goat (2005), triclosan in toothpaste (2005), mould in Greek yoghurt (2005), pesticide traces in Greek honey (2005), Sudan red (2005), dangerous electric irons (2005), safety of aspratame (2005)….

Advisory Forum, September 2005 The other side of health communications Its not always easy to get media attention…

Advisory Forum, September 2005 ECDC Strategy Paper External and Crisis Communications UPDATE Key ideas Developing our vision Immediate action Next steps

Advisory Forum, September 2005 UPDATE No questionnaire !!! –Mapping exercise may take longer though New date for first ECDC monthly press conference

Advisory Forum, September 2005 Key Ideas External and Crisis Communications Communication as a core ECDC activity –Network existing expertise –Build partnerships, foster cooperation –Add value to what MS authorities doing –Identify, disseminate and apply good practice Link external and crisis comms –Building contacts and credibility in « times of peace » key to successful crisis communications Think long term…. …. but take immediate action

Advisory Forum, September 2005 Developing our vision External and Crisis Communications Where are we now? –‘ Mapping exercise’: assess policies, plans and capabilities in Member States Where do we want to go? –Identify key areas where ECDC can add value, build consensus on cooperation and partnerships By what means do we get there? –Plans, projects, resources

Advisory Forum, September 2005 Immediate Action External and Crisis Communications Interim crisis communications protocol –In place. Will be reviewed after simulation exercises Monthly ECDC press conference –Starts November 2005 –NEW Tour of Tomtebodaskolan for Swedish media 17/10 ECDC partnership with Eurosurveillance –Weekly epidemiological report, news on ECDC website Media seminar Communication as a determinant of HIV/AIDS control in Europe scheduled for late November EU crisis simulation exercises WHO project on pandemic comms

Advisory Forum, September 2005 Next Steps External and Crisis Communications More pro-active engagement with media Contacts with media and health comms people in Member States Mapping MS policies, plans, capabilities Immediate priorities –Crisis Communications Protocol –Influenza –HIV / AIDS

Advisory Forum, September 2005 Discussion ECDC External and Crisis Comms Strategy Who to contact in Member States –Health Ministries –Public Health Institutes –Other partners? Developing the strategy –Working group / network –Where can ECDC add value Immediate priorities – influenza, HIV/AIDS Crisis Comms Protocol – MS contacts ? Any other comments on AF3/10