The ASSET Communication Strategy consists of a general strategy, drafted for the whole Consortium, and Local Communication Plans for different countries. The Local Communication Plan, prepared for Bulgaria, aims to provide a general strategic framework, which can facilitate the further planning of actions, aimed at fulfilling the objectives, set out in the general communication strategy within the specific national context.
From May 18 to 22, 2015, Florence will host the 24th International World Wide Web Conference (WWW 2015), the premier international forum to present and discuss progress in research, development, standards, and applications of the topics related to the Web. WWW 2015 will offer high quality technical activities, including research sessions, poster sessions, workshops, tutorials, demonstrations, an industry track, a developers track, panels, and a Ph.D. symposium.
Tackling pandemics and epidemics is an intricate process, which necessitates effective interaction among many stakeholders. As this interaction must happen very quickly and under intense public scrutiny, preparedness is essential. The network of stakeholders can only be prepared well through building trust and good working relationships prior to the incident. In addition, identifying and discussing important policy issues and examining how they can be improved, can only be done comprehensively through considering the points of view of all the main stakeholders.
The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has decided to hold a three-day Scientific Conference in October 2015 in Milan, in concomitance with the World Expo 2015 that the city will host from May to October and in liaison with national organisations, EU agencies, the European Commission and international risk assessment bodies. An international Advisory Committee has guided EFSA on the proposed programme. An international Advisory Committee has guided EFSA on the proposed programme.
A proper health communication is crucial, especially when facing a major emergency like an infectious disease outbreaks. Improving communication effectiveness is a big challenge for those working in public healthcare and was also one of the main topics discussed during the TELL ME Conference, Bridging Theory And Practice For Effective Communications During Infectious Disease Crises, which was held in Venice, on December 4th and 5th.
TELL ME is a 36-month Collaborative Project, which aims to provide evidence and to develop models for improved risk communication during infectious disease crises. TELL ME combines public health, social sciences, behavioural sciences, political sciences, law, ethics, communication and media, in order to develop original communication strategies regarding complicated messages and advice based on uncertainties, also addressing vaccine-resistant groups.
Here is a list of the TELL ME deliverables that have strong implications with the ASSET aims and purposes:
The ability to rapidly recognize and respond to both global and local health threats remains a critical public health priority. The ever-growing digital world represents an unprecedented opportunity to harvest for new solutions and tools to face these emergencies. This digital means of disease detection has been made possible by the growing influence of Internet technology, which has significantly changed the landscape of public health surveillance and epidemic intelligence gathering.
Experience from the past taught us a lot about managing and communicating infectious threats. Indeed, the A(H1N1) 2009 influenza pandemic revealed a breakdown in the communication between decision makers, scientific institutions and the public. The milder than expected evolution of the A(H1N1) 2009 pandemic, notably, seemed to be a proof that the declaration of an emergency “had been drive” by economic interests. Many studies show that this event caused a loss of trust in health authorities and underestimate risks related to epidemics.
