Meeting of the SCN Task Force on Advocacy

Meeting of the SCN Task Force on Advocacy, Communication and Partnership Building (Sunday 26 from 10. 30 to 13. 30) Who met: Ø Communication and technical staff of UN agencies and other partners Ø What for: Ø - to reach an agreement on the need to better coordinate the different communication efforts in nutrition – "speaking in one voice" Ø Ø - to identify and agree on key next steps towards better coordination to improve communication in nutrition

Main conclusion: The SCN should work on a joint call for action to improve nutrition. This call should bring together the different actions being promoted by the partners. The actions will continue to be led by individual partners but the call should be integrated and therefore help to promote integrated approaches in the long run.

Main points agreed: 1. It is key to harmonize communication efforts at all levels and between initiatives to ensure that individual agencies speak with one voice. 2. The SCN task-force is the right forum to develop a common language and vision and to agree on messages, audiences and collective strategies and approaches. 3. Implementation of the commonly agreed communication products will be the responsibility of the different partners. 4. To continue discussing through electronic means to further refine the Task-Force TOR, products and timeframe.

Key issues for the development of the SCN Advocacy, Communication and Partnership building task-force Ø The task force could focus on: l l Media Mobilization Building and participating of strategic alliances and coalitions Social and Political Mobilization at all levels (global, regional and in countries) Fostering the participation of women, youngsters and children

Next steps - main activities agreed: During 2007: Ø Mapping of current and planned communications activities and creation of a database of Nutrition and Communication focal points from the SCN membership. (ECHUI comms team has already started to prepare such inventory and will share it with the group to serve as a starting point for the joint effort) Identifying key advocacy opportunities - high profile events, governing body meetings, conferences, etc. Ø A Communication Brainstorming meeting to develop and agree on key messages. Ø Develop the concept note for a high level advocacy Social Mobilization/communication campaign. Ø

In 2008: Ø Mobilize support and resources to launch a high level advocacy Social Mobilization/communication campaign globally and in at least 4 selected countries.