Assessment Report

Includes external linking strategy outline.

Prepared by Oliva Acosta,
Communications for Development for Vision Office Support Services
24 February 1998

An analysis and definition of information and communication needs related to global social policy and development issues.

Purpose

The purpose of this is to document the communication parameters for the design and production of an Internet "gateway" for Global Social Policy and Development Issues.

Introduction to the Report

The Division for Social Policy and Development, which is responsible for the global social development programme of the United Nations, has identified the need for improving its use of Internet resources so that it will be able to offer one-stop Internet-based services to disseminate efficiently and effectively an expanded range of digital content, as well as undertake systematic outreach and network building among programme constituencies.

The Division attaches priority to the design of an Internet "gateway" to digital content on global social policy and development issues. This will build upon the current World-Wide Web home page of the Division on the UN Internet server (http://www.un.org).

The digital content framework-Internet gateway initiative will focus in this first phase on three subject areas: World Summit for Social Development, Policies and programmes concerning people with disabilities, Observation of International Year of Older Persons in 1999.

This report schematically reflects the undertaken analysis and definition of information and communication needs related to global social policy and development issues among selected programme constituencies, with emphasis on WSSD, persons with disabilities and 1999-IYOP; defining principal categories of messages and target audiences; identifying content, scope and sources of information.

^Return to top

Assessment Phases

Information gathering:

a) General institutional and substantive background.

b) Institutional and programmatic missions and mandates.

• WSSD
• DSPD A/52/303
• Disabilities
• Aging A/RES/47/5

c) Current and expected developments in the different areas.

• WSSD CSD98/ 99/ WSSD Review 2000
• Disabilities CSD98/ 99/
• Aging CSD98/ GA98- IYOP 99 -NGO event -

Information Blueprints

• WSSD follow up
  • The Copenhagen Declaration and programme of Action WSSD
  • CSD reports on implementation
• Disabilities
  • World Programme of Action concerning Disabled Persons
  • Standard Rules on the Equalization of Opportunities for persons with disabilities
  • Reports from the Special Rapporteur on Disability
  • The Disability Dimension in Development Action. Manual on Inclusive Planning
• Aging
  • World Aging Situation Reports
  • Conceptual and Operational framework of a programme for the preparation and observance of the IYOP 99
  • Res.46/91 UN Principles for Older Persons

^Return to top

Assessment of the Gateway to DSPD communication/Information needs and priorities.

(Includes Programme on disabled persons, aging and follow up to the WSSD)

Target Audiences.

Segments and profiles.

Assumptions of interest

WSSD

DSPD

DISABILITIES

AGEING

^Return to top

Messages

WSSD

Key issues and core communication concepts.

"Implementing the global social contract of WSSD"

• People are at the center of development as beneficiaries and agents of change.
• Genuine international cooperation and lasting solutions for:

• - Eradicating poverty
• - Creating sustainable livelihoods
• - Building solidarity, social integration

DSPD

Key issues and core communication concepts.

"Putting people at the center of development":

• Poverty eradication
• Employment
• Socio-economic policy and development
• Intergovernmental dialogue and cooperation
• Promotion of social integration and the participation of all people, especially disadvantaged and vulnerable.
• Enhancing the potential of all people to participate in development.
• Improving and enhancing the quality of life for all people.

Disabilities

Key issues and core communication concepts.

"From objects of care to agents of action"

• A society fit for disabled people is a good society for all.
• People with disabilities are citizens with equal rights and obligations.
• Equal opportunities. No isolation.
• Accessibility . Improving living conditions and environments.
• Full participation and responsibility in equality in society.
• Raising awareness and encouraging self reliance and self-determination.
• Positive approaches: self reliance and empowerment. Building human capacity.
• Special attention to women

Aging

Key issues and core communication concepts.

"Towards a Society for All Ages"

• Emphasis is in observance on IYOP
• Redefinition of the concept of aging: independence, participation, care, self-fulfillment, dignity.
• "A new age for an old age" " old age in a new age" "old life, new frontiers"
• Emphasis in development of older persons as human beings
• Society is changing - emerging society for all ages
• Policy consequences
• Older persons are an active and vital force in society

^Return to top

Institutional Identity Attributes - Positioning and Desired Image.

WSSD

Identity attributes. Positioning and desired image.

• Maintain DPI positioning and image, adding human faces, government commitments as a result of WSSD
• Informed, accurate, reliable, dynamic and accessible source of information and analysis.
• Gateway to other relevant information sources.

DSPD [applicable to all other areas ]

Identity attributes. Positioning and desired image.

• Strong voice on the issues. Powerful player whose work makes a difference.
• Global in character and in the scope of the information.
• Facilitator of intergovernmental dialogue and cooperation.
• Technical and substantive authority.
• Informed, accurate, reliable, dynamic and accessible source of information and analysis.
• Gateway to other relevant information sources.
• Translator of complicated policy messages into accessible, clear, simplified and direct language with a potential to engage its audiences.

Disabilities [applicable to aging and WSSD ]

Identity attributes. Positioning and desired image.

• Positive actor and contributor to policy options and debates.
• Focal point for promotion, monitoring and evaluation of the implementation of Programme of Action on Disabilities and Standard Rules.
• Key actor in raising awareness in society about persons with disabilities, their rights, needs, potential, and contribution.
• Stresses abilities not disabilities.
• Responsible for distribution of up-to-date information in accessible form.
• Promoter of international dialogue on critical social issues and on policies for addressing them through international cooperation
• Tuned into needs and expectations of civil society and its organizations
• Offering a human and positive face of the issues.
• Offers new angles and issues with interest to the audience including the media.
• Allows persons with disabilities voices to be heard through

Aging

Identity attributes. Positioning and desired image.

• Positive actor and contributor to policy options and debates.
• Focal point for promotion, monitoring and evaluation of the implementation of UN Principles for Older Persons
• Breaks stereotypes. Age is beauty and wisdom.
• Key actor in raising awareness in society about older persons their rights, needs, potential, and contribution.
• Allows older persons voices to be heard through
• Tuned into needs and expectations of civil society and organizations.
• Responsible for distribution of up-to-date information in accessible form.
• Breaks negative images of aging, dependent, mere passive recipients of care.
• Promoter of older persons as active actors for peace and development.
• The space should convey the concept of "generativity" (the desire to create and to leave a heritage or legacy" as well as diversity.
• Promoter of international dialogue on critical social issues and on policies for addressing them through international cooperation
• Offering a human and positive face of the issues. Offers new angles and issues with interest to the audience including the media.

^Return to top

Added Value Offered to Users.

[to be further discussed]

• WSSD
  • Chart of commitments by member states
  • Wall Chart on Basic Social Services for All
  • Summaries of national reports
  • Poverty "clock"
• DSPD
  • Interactive documents
  • Links to external sources
  • Comparative data
  • Links with other intergovernmental processes
• Disabilities
  • ICT accessibility tools, manuals and check lists, guidelines
• Aging
  • 3 "Hieroglyphics" (life maps) on aging -
  • Statistics, manuals and check lists, guidelines

^Return to top

Linking Strategy Outline

UN key players:

• - UNDP
  • Poverty Strategies Initiative
  • 1997 Human Development Report
• - ILO
  • Report on World Employment 1996/1997
  • Country Level Reviews
• - UN Research Institute for Social Development
  • ICT and Social Development Project
• - World Bank
  • High Level Expert Meetings on Social Capital 1996/1997
  • Poverty Group Home Page
• - UN Regional Commissions
  • ECLAC - Regional Follow-Up Conference. Sao Paulo Consensus
  • ESCAP - 5th Asian and Pacific Ministerial Conference on Social Development.
  • ECE - Expert Group Meeting on Innovative Employment Initiatives
• - WomenWatch and gender sections of UN agencies and programmes
• - Statistics Division
• - UNFP and Population Division
• - Social Development and Poverty Elimination Division (UNDP)

Civil Society Players (to be expanded by themes):

• - Business Association for the WSSD. Business Advisory Council.
• - International Council on Social Welfare. Friedrich Ebert Foundation.
• NGO Forum
• - Social Watch
• - Institute for Research on Poverty. University of Wisconsin-Madison
• - CROP, Comparative Research Programme on Poverty
• - The Institute of Development Studies
• - Civil Society Organization and Participation Programme (CSOPP)
• - WSSD NGO Forum
• - People 2 People

^Return to top

Other Recommendations

• Match key concepts on each programme area with appropriate graphics and photographs (low memory density, not necessarily multiple colors) reflecting real human faces.
• Provide a sense of clarity and simplicity through white or clear backgrounds, as well as simple and unified fonts.
• Convey a sense of belonging to a same corporate identity, by maintaining general DESA and UN graphic elements.
• Optimize and multiply previously used public information efforts by maintaining DPI defined graphics, color scales, logos and fonts.
• When defining main entries to core information structure offer different levels of access by allowing links to the same content through different semantic approaches.

For example, as discussed with aging team:

1. Changing Society

1. Facts - Activities IYOP 1999

2. Emerging Society for All Ages

2. Exploratory area. What is it.

3. Policy Consequences

3. 2020. Policies and projections.

^Return to top

Leo Valdes / Oliva Acosta.
Copyright © 1998 Vision Office Support Services, Ltd. All rights reserved.
Information in this document is subject to change without notice.
24 February 1998