Year
2019
Abstract
Communicating the messages of a technical organization presents a unique set of challenges. Promoting the effective communication of technical messages within an international organization such as the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) encounters additional barriers. The Department of Safeguards, IAEA, has set goals to enhance awareness and visibility to both its staff and its external audience, while also maintaining the confidentiality required of its work. Addressing the challenge of communicating scientific and technical information to both internal and external audiences for a Department of a large inter-governmental organization requires elevated goals on several fronts, including: 1) ensuring an engaged, collaborative, and informed staff; 2) developing valued, trusted, and effective communication that enhances teamwork and performance; 3) successfully communicating messages to IAEA Member States while maintaining trust, credibility and confidentiality; and finally, 4) creating awareness and understanding of civil society and the general public. Recent innovative initiatives, methods of thinking, and scientific-focused events have moved the Department closer to achieving these long-term goals, and the improved utilization of communication tools is leading to further engagement with target audiences within and outside of the Department. This said, there is still much to be done to identify and implement the most effective means of “proliferating awareness” based on accurate and understandable nuclear, scientific information to both internal and external stakeholders.