Public Information and Community Sensitization

1
Public Information and Community Sensitization

• 4.60

2
Overview

• Introduction
• Objectives of Public Information in DDR
• Primary audiences
• Secondary audiences
• Public information tools

• PI strategies and approaches planning
• PI strategies and approaches implementation
• Conclusion

3
Introduction

• A crucial support function in the DDR process
• Further the communities understanding of their
  involvement in DDR and the reintegration of
  ex-combatants
• Explains a wider programme of activities
• PI, as a component in a multisectoral strategy
  for peace-building,

4
Objectives of Public Information

• A key support tool for DDR
• Pre-DDR
• former factions, including commanders, endorse
  the DDR process
• the civilian population, including civil society
  representatives and local government
  institutions, in the receiving communities are
  aware of and endorse the process
• local and international donors are informed about
  how to contribute to the DDR programme.

5

• Disarmament and demobilization
• DDR participants have realistic expectations and
  know what is expected of them
• women ex-combatants and other women associated
  with armed groups and forces in non-combat roles
  are reliably informed about DDR and any special
  programmes for them
• child-friendly information is provided for
  children associated with armed groups and forces
  and their caregivers
• foreign fighters and cross-border communities are
  reliably informed about any repatriation
  activities associated with DDR
• communities in areas surrounding disarmament and
  demobilization (DD) locations are aware of the
  purpose and activities in the process and have
  realistic expectations
• the right attitudes are developed for community
  disarmament and longer-term arms management to
  take place.

6

• Reintegration
• communities accept the DDR participants and have
  reasonable expectations of what reintegration
  will bring
• victims of sexual violence and/or HIV/AIDS are
  not stigmatized
• connections are made with ongoing security sector
  reform (SSR), including arms control and police
  and judicial reform

7
Primary Audiences

• The political leadership
• The military leadership of armed groups or the
  government army
• Rank-and-file of armed groups/forces
• Women
• Children
• Receiving communities

8
Secondary Audiences

• Civil society comprises womens groups, local
  associations, religious organizations,
  non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and
  business groups, and is a primary partner in the
  DDR process
• International and local media is the main source
  of information on progress in the peace process
• Regional stakeholders, which includes
  governments, regional organizations, military and
  political parties of neighbouring countries,
  civil society in neighbouring states, businesses,
  and potential spoilers
• International community, which includes donors,
  their constituencies (including diasporas who can
  influence the direction of DDR),
  troop-contributing countries, the UN system,
  international financial institutions, NGOs,
  think-tanks

9
Public Information Tools

• Radio
• UN radio stations
• Partnership stations
• Non-UN local and international radio stations
• Mobile radio stations
• Basic components of a DDR radio programme
• Print media leaflets, pamphlets,
  posters/cartoons, newsletters and magazines
• Visual media TV and video
• Interactive mechanisms theatre, seminars,
  debates
• The internet

10
PI Strategies and Approaches Planning

• Understanding the local context
• Coordination mechanisms
• Timelines for PI material
• Monitoring and evaluation
• Dealing with hate media

11
PI Strategies and Approaches Implementation

• Pre-testing materials
• Changing circumstances
• Resource requirements