WMO Task Team on Media and Communication (TT/MEDCOM)

TT/MEDCOM - FINAL REPORT WORKING GROUP ON SERVICE DELIVERY AND PARTNERSHIP(WG-SDP/3) WMO Task Team on Media and Communication (TT/MEDCOM) Author : ŁUKASZ LEGUTKO (TT/leader)

MEMBER STATUS

TASKS

PRIORITYDELIVERABLES

PRIORITYDELIVERABLES According to the decisions of the last WebEx Meeting TT should concentrate on high priority deliverables: Guidelines for Public Relations Officers: The aim of the document was to present strategies on how to enhance the communication channels and dialogue between the National Meteorological and Hydrological Services (NMHSs), media and the society. The guidelines shall serve as a tool for complementing NMHSs procedures and help establish a good communication strategy. Social media communications guideline: The document is a comprehensive and up-to-date review of new media (social media in particular). It also consists of communications during crisis and provides tips on planning and implementing communications in the event of meteorological crises.

ONGOING WORK Other activities: There is ongoing work regarding the low priority deliverables. Drafts in Polish were prepared.Unfortunately, no input was provided by the TT Members. The finalization depends on the availability of home institution experts.

KEY CONCLUSIONS LESSONS LEARNT

KEY CONCLUSIONS LESSONS LEARNT I. The 2011 IMGW/WMO workshop on communications organized in Poland was attended by participants from all WMO Regions. TT/MEDCOM Members were also present. The workshop allowed the TT to prepare guidelines and strategies based on the input provided by representatives of each Regional Association. A face-to-face meeting was the best way of work of the TT. II.There will be a continuation of the well received IMGW/WMO workshop which is beingcoordinated by Mr Michael Williams (Chief of Communications and Public Affairs, WMO). Theworkshop will build on the 2011 workshop in cooperation with MetOffice, EUMETSAT, EMS andIMGW-PIB.

KEY CONCLUSIONS LESSONS LEARNT III.There is need for stronger cooperation among experts nominated for assistance of TT Leader and the mechanism of nomination of experts should be modified toward better selection of experts. IV. WMO Secretariat should be aware of the fact that the entire work of the Task Team was done mainly by the TT Leader on voluntary basis and quality of the work depends on support of his home institution. V.The developing and least developed countries will be the main recipients and beneficiary of the TT/MEDCOM work - the prepared proposals were based on the experiences of the well developed Met-Services.

KEY RECOMMENDATIONS FOR WAY FORWARD

KEY RECOMMENDATIONS FOR WAY FORWARD • 1. WMO Secretariat to support the Task Team and their engagement • Proposal:WMO Secretariat to consider coordinating the TT meetings by preparing official invitations to WebEx (video, audio) online meetings. Presence of the WMO staff is not required. However, stronger WMO involvement is desired.Report.

KEY RECOMMENDATIONS FOR WAY FORWARD 2. There is a strong need for closer collaboration with main players in communications community in Europe Proposal 1:TT to liaise with the Media Team of the European Meteorological Society (EMS) chaired by TanjaCegnar. Proposal 2:TT to liaise with the International Association of Broadcast Meteorology (IABM). The exchange of the opinions of weather presenters aroundthe world is considered very useful. Proposal 3:TT to liaise with the European Climate Foundation. Twinning Projects should also be pursuit.

KEY RECOMMENDATIONS FOR WAY FORWARD 3. Strategies written in paper are considered very useful Proposal: The future deliverables to be developed by TT/MEDCOM should be rather tools or products instead of guidelines in the form of documents. Such example could be the Regional Communications Hub concept that could serve all NMHSs around the world and their communities. Interaction is most desired in today’s world rather than long sheets of documents.

KEY RECOMMENDATIONS FOR WAY FORWARD 4. Regional Communications Hub TT/MEDCOM recognized that there is no mechanismthat would engage IPA Focal Points in real time. NMHSs need to engage with their recipients and build a large group of audience. Proposal: A concept of a web based portal could be examined that would allow establish interaction between users (comments, chat, forum). One solution could be to start with a Google Group for the NMHSs Press Officers/IPA Focal Points. A Google group would provide a forum and chat platform. In addition, it would be possible to send links with pictures, movies, bulletins, etc. In the future, if the idea is well accepted there could be a proposal to establish a dedicated website under the WMO. Similarly to the World WeatherInformation Service (WWIS) website.

KEY RECOMMENDATIONS FOR WAY FORWARD 5. TT/MEDCOM to promote the World Weather Information Service (WWIS)and its well developedproduct (mobile application) developed by WMO Members. Home website:http://www.worldweather.org/ 6. IPCC AR5 results communication should be addressed Proposal:There is need for better communication of climate change information. The IPCC AR5needs to be considered in this respect. TT/MEDCOM should invite the NMHSs to communicate the results of the report. Ways of promotion of their work should be assessed by the TT.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION Prepared by ŁUKASZ LEGUTKO

WMO Task Team on Media and Communication (TT/MEDCOM)