Strategic communications bridge the gap between knowledge and action. IISD's intention is to strengthen and expand the knowledge base for decision-making, to move knowledge into the hands of decision-makers, and to engage them directly in using that knowledge to change policies and practices.

Achievements and Highlights

• IISD published Strategic Intentions: Managing knowledge networks for sustainable development. The publication, available online at http://www.iisd.org/pdf/2001/
  networks_strategic_intentions.pdf (510 kb) , is the result of five years of research and experimentation with networks and communications. We started out looking at technology applications, but discovered something far more significant about the power of knowledge networks to engage stakeholders and decision-makers.

• IISD's leadership role in knowledge networks was recognized by several organizations and networks this year. The Institute was approached for input and advice by the Canadian Information System for the Environment; the Canadian SD Policy Research Program; the Global Development Learning Network; the International Institute for Environment and Development's Regional and International Networking Group (the "RING"); the International Network for Environmental Compliance and Enforcement; and others.

• For the second time, IISD's Young Canadian Leaders for a Sustainable Future internship program won the Huguette Labelle Award for Excellence in Youth Programming. The program placed 33 interns in 2001- 2002. At press time, IISD staff were processing more than 200 applications for international positions in the new fiscal year. More information about the YCLSF program is available at http://www.iisd.org/interns/.

Thoughts from a YCLSF intern...

"I believe that the opportunities and support that this internship program provides are invaluable to young Canadians interested in pursuing an international development career. Recent international events--September 11--remind us that we need to produce more people with an international understanding and develop global networks with nations/people to work together to solve these complex international issues. The IISD internship program equips young Canadians with a better international understanding and gives them the vital experience to really become Young Canadian Leaders for a Sustainable Future."

- Mark Schreiner, IISD intern with UNEP, Kenya

• In partnership with the Foundation for Global Responsibility, IISD launched BSDGlobal, a site devoted to business and sustainable development issues at http://www.bsdglobal.com/.

• In preparation for the World Summit on Sustainable Development, IISD began its work on the Sustainable Development Briefcase. The SD Briefcase is a collection of resources that will provide WSSD watchers, commentators and participants with the essential background needed to follow debates at the Summit.

• The Institute undertook an in-depth evaluation of the first five years of the Sustainable Development Communications Network (http://www.sdcn.org/). This network of 14 core institutions and over 330 individuals was initiated in 1996 to increase access on the Internet to developing country knowledge. The principal recommendation was to transform the SDCN into an open, international community of practice on Web communications for sustainable development, focused on capacity development and expansion of the SD Gateway (http://www.sdgateway.net/).

• IISD joined forces with five other international organizations to create ITrainOnline, a technology resource centre for people who want to learn how to use the Internet effectively for social justice and sustainable development. The ITrainOnline web site is at http://www.itrainonline.org/.

• As a provider of service to the wider Institute, the Knowledge Communications team created a new look and navigation for the IISD web site at http://www.iisd.org/; designed and updated a number of sections on the site; published numerous books, papers and newsletters; and consulted with project teams throughout the Institute on their strategic communications needs.

• IISD provided input on the role of youth to the Global Knowledge Partnership's consultation on Digital Divide issues for the G8. This intervention led to our participation in the creation of the digital opportunities web site in partnership with the new youth organization, TakingITGlobal (http://www.takingitglobal.org/). IISD also provided consulting advice on climate change communications to CIDA, Environment Canada and Natural Resources Canada.

Long-term Vision

To strengthen and expand the sustainable development knowledge base for decision-making through more effective communications of what we know, fostering action for sustainable development through networks and partnerships.

From the Director of Knowledge Communications...

"We have been experimenting with networks for five years. Our early efforts were in response to the promise of technology. We explored how to bring the messages of Southern-based organizations to broader attention through the Internet. We used Web technology to aggregate the knowledge bases of our partners. And we learned how electronic communications could support collaboration across regions and sectors. But in the past two years, our understanding of networks has grown beyond the technology that supports them. Our research has taken us into strategic communications and the effective engagement of decision-makers. We have investigated private sector experience with alliances to improve our own relationships management. We have come to value the potential of networks to foster changes in policy and practice, supportive of sustainable development, beyond what any single institution would be able to accomplish. Technology by itself cannot move the agenda forward. We now need to learn how to make and keep promises to other institutions around the world, to work together toward sustainable development."

-Heather Creech