1. COMMUNICATION IS THE HEART OF REPRESENTATION IF YOU CHOOSE ONE WORD TO DESCRIBE REPRESENTATION, IT IS COMMUNICATION COMMUNICATION AND REPRESENTATION

2. NOT JUST COMMUNICATION Communication should form the major part of the representative’s TORs The idea of responsiveness assumes the existence of two-way communication- of efforts to listen to and to talk to the constituents Access and the assurance of access, communication and the assurance of communication- are the intricacies underpinning representation

3. WHAT IS TWO-WAY COMMUNICATION It is an ongoing and reciprocal flow of information, ideas and preferences between representatives and the represented Representation requires continuous dialogue or conversation, between representatives and the constituents they serve This entails appraising the constituents of their actions and decisions made

4. WHAT IS TWO-WAY COMMUNICATION It also entails constituents having a platform to provide input and feedback One-way communication undermines the representative-constituent relationships Two-way communication provides constituents –the reach, the space and persuade representatives about their concerns and preferences

5. PILLARS OF COMMUNICATION Informing constituents about the activities and decisions representatives make- notify constituents about their activities Its their responsibility to report back-keep constituents abreast of policy developments Effective representation process requires not just selective and intermittent, but regular and comprehensive communication with the represented

6. PILLARS OF COMMUNICATION Giving more feedback and getting constituents to participate By sampling of constituent opinion on policy issues- to ensure that views of representatives and constituents remain in sync Keep in touch with the needs of the constituents

7. PERCEIVED BENEFITS OF REP- CONSTITUENT COMMUNICATION Constituent regularly well informed by representatives gain better and get extensive knowledge on policy developments and operations Such contacts enhance responsiveness to constituent needs and concerns Representatives themselves gain from regular communication-expand representative’s understanding of the constituents-this inspires greater confidence in them-reduces misunderstanding

8. THANK YOU