Track II dialogue

Between the lines environmental diplomacy, critical thinking, adaptively managed.

In an age of megaphone diplomacy, single issue petitions, polarising campaigns, reductionist media headlines, we may lose the ability to communicate nuanced issues while maintaining trust with diverse audiences.

Thinking outside the narrative

“Evidence is important, but perception matters”

ref of inspiration

In a time of rapid change across an urbanising world, land and environmental issues can be misconstrued, lack context and be vulnerable to ‘gatekeeping‘. Politicians are ever keen to reflect public opinion while delivering public benefit – sometimes missing the backstory.

But without an ear to multiple competing narratives, backstories, perceptions, affiliations – it can be hard to engage diverse audiences who have different values but common purpose in the co-design of new policies.

“When my information changes, I alter my conclusions”

Paul Samuelson

Backdoor diplomacy, frontline advocacy

Rob offers a bespoke range of specialist environmental diplomacy services. From off-the record, Chatham House Rule discussions, to ‘honest broker’ role and moderator of open mic forums. He can open up lines of communications to enable dialogue and ensure information flows two-ways.

To help view issues in fresh ways, avoid groupthink, face up and take ownership of narratives rather than allow them to be used as leverage within context-free spaces.

He can advise on framing media, use of social media Twitter etc, host ‘walk and talks’ to create space for conversations to take place, and seek to move ‘stakeholders’ from positional (adversarial) to principled (mutual gain) negotiations.

“Your focus on bringing together competing ideologies in the land management sector is refreshing and unique”

a forestry advisor

Views without labels

Some case examples: 2 way learning between environmental NGO director and shoot manager. Gathering intelligence in the field to inform thinking. Advising govt on wildlife management consultations. Providing advice on sensitive communications (when not to tweet!). Challenging organisations to evaluate how constituents perceive them. Enabling views to be heard, without labels. Talking on common ground issues. Neutral framing of political enviro issues.

After over 25 years in the rural and environmental sector, see what others say about his work and click on his other specialist input under Countryside Reconciliation.

Contact Rob here

Curiosity, tolerance, collaboration

“The test of a first-rate intelligence is the ability to hold two op­posed ideas in the mind at the same time and still retain the ability to function”

F Scott Fitzgerald