Between the lines environmental diplomacy and critical thinking. Adaptively managed.
Open mic, stays on the hill 
Open forum, stays in the room
In an age of megaphone diplomacy, reductionist petitions, polarising campaigns, inflammatory media headlines, there is a risk of losing an ability to communicate nuanced issues while not eroding trust in maintaining dialogue in private.
Thinking outside the narrative
“Evidence is important, but perception matters”
Rob Yorke – after this
In a time of rapid change within an urbanising nation, land and environmental issues can be misconstrued, lack context and be vulnerable to ‘gatekeeping‘ as politicians seek to reflect public opinion to deliver public benefit. Without an ear to multiple underlying narratives, backstories, perceptions, affiliations – it can be hard to engage diverse audiences.
“When my information changes…” (pic Geoff Eyre)
“When my information changes, I alter my conclusions”
Paul Samuelson
Backdoor diplomacy, alongside frontline advocacy
Rob offers a bespoke, off-the record, Chatham House Rule, ‘honest broker’ service (Track II diplomacy). He can open up back channel comms with the ‘right people‘ to maintain dialogue, ensures information flows two-ways, advise on framing controversial media, host ‘walk and talks’ to enable tricky conversations to take place, seek to move negotiations from positional adversarial to principled mutual gain.
Walk, talk, listen, inform, learn
Views without labels
Examples: environmental NGO rep walking with land manager. Gathering intelligence in the field. Advising govt on wildlife management issues. Providing advice on sensitive comms. Challenging organisations to evaluate how constituents perceive them. Enabling views to be heard without labels.
Brainstormers on the hill
“Better to be criticised by your friends than attacked by your enemies”
Rob Yorke
Feedback
After over 25 years in the rural sector, see what others say about his work and click on his other specialist input under Countryside Critical.
Ask questions or feedback on how this adaptive service evolves, or leave a comment below this blog.
“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
Making space for different values, but common purpose