GWP will implement a comprehensive communications strategy that builds on its knowledge base and expands water advocacy more broadly to take in social and economic development. To do this GWP will develop two interlinked areas: the internal communications culture and the Partnership's communications in global, as well as in regional, country and local development discourses. Specific elements of the strategy to reach Goal 3 are outlined below.
Communications capacity
GWP will build and embed communications capacity throughout the network. This means integrating communications into programme activities from the start so that programmes generate and disseminate appropriate information both internally and externally. GWP will shape its internal communication culture to improve dialogue and share lessons more widely among regional and country Partners. This means finding ways to make it easier for the whole network to share knowledge, experiences and information. Communications is a network-wide activity that facilitates the achievement of all four strategic goals and the overall GWP mission. GWP will encourage every Partner of the network to be a communicator to multiply the network's visibility and effectiveness.
Outreach
GWP will help people realise that sharing information between departments, regions and cooperating Partners strengthens the network and augments its contribution to the wider world. As well as informing the water sector, this will involve engaging with non-water ministries, such as Finance and Planning, and with key NGOs, such as Transparency International. In particular, messages will be targeted at audiences from outside of the water community to build awareness and understanding of the importance of water for other sectoral users and abusers. This will include working with business, for example through the World Economic Forum and World Business Council on Sustainable Development.
Knowledge sharing
In addition to shaping the internal communication culture to encourage Partners to become good at sharing knowledge and communicating, GWP will develop products, services and platforms that make communication easier. GWP will link the Technical Committee more closely to other GWP knowledge streams (such as the ToolBox, and Country and Regional Partnerships) and to cooperating Partners, including youth and education groups. Connecting those who can provide knowledge with those who need knowledge will ensure that GWP generates products and services that make sharing knowledge more effective. The GWP ToolBox will be central to this effort. GWP will extend the influence of its intellectual leadership by producing practical guides, sharing lessons across countries and regions, and using appropriate communications methods for advocacy, feedback and monitoring results.
Strategic messages
GWP has a solid reputation in the water world. But, to position the network in the broader development world and beyond requires a more deliberate focus on reporting achievements (and the processes and activities that contribute to those achievements). Drawing on the Partnership's expertise, GWP will step up efforts to identify—and develop policy responses to—critical development threats that affect or are affected by, water resources management.
The wealth of information created by the network will be articulated and delivered to relevant and influential audiences, such as donor Partners, policy makers, the media and others who are strategic to achieving GWP's mission.
