Media training
Spokesperson development for heads of agency, spokespeople and technical experts, with scenarios built on your mandate, several rounds on camera and a written assessment of each person.
International organisations and NGOs
Communication training for international organisations
We prepare the people who speak for UN agencies, EU institutions, intergovernmental bodies, humanitarian agencies and charities. Based in London and Dubai, delivered worldwide.
210+ international organisations and NGOs trained · 63 countries · Six continents · Since 2001
Trusted by international organisations
Selected international organisations, agencies and NGOs in Europe, the Americas, Africa, the Middle East and Asia.
We also train EU agencies, UN peacekeeping missions, development banks, foundations and more than 30 British charities.
Why communication for international organisations is different
International organisations speak for member states that do not always agree with each other, often in two dozen languages at once. A statement from Brussels, Geneva or New York is read in every capital that pays for it.
Agencies and charities speak from inside the emergencies they are sent to: a refugee crisis, a war, a disaster. Their words are heard on the ground and in donor capitals on the same day.
Humanitarian agencies, development funds and charities spend money they have to ask for. Every appeal, campaign and annual report is read by donors who could give elsewhere.
What we train international organisations for
Every programme is built for the situation your people will face, using your own issues, your stakeholders and the questions they will be asked.
Crisis communication
For teams at headquarters and in the field, from a disaster or a conflict to questions about the organisation's own conduct.
Public affairs and negotiation
For the people who brief governments, raise funds and work with partners.
Public speaking and speechwriting
Public speaking, speechwriting and panel moderation for leaders who open conferences, address assemblies and chair debates.
Writing and social media
Writing, social media and campaign planning for communicators who raise funds and press governments to act.
Protocol and events
Protocol, event management and internal communication for the meetings, visits and staff that hold an international organisation together.
How in-house training works
Most of our training is designed for one organisation and delivered to its team. This is what happens between your first message and the training day. To book individuals onto a scheduled course, see our open courses.
1
Tell us what you need
A 30-minute call is usually enough. We ask who will be trained, what they face and what you want to be different afterwards.
2
We send a proposal
Within a few days you receive a written proposal: the programme, the trainers, the format and the fee.
3
We build the programme
Once you confirm, we write the exercises around your organisation: interview scenarios on your issues, crisis exercises on your risks. Every trainer is briefed before day one. Where you are building a whole communication team, we start by assessing people against what each role needs.
4
We deliver and report
On site anywhere in the world or live online, in English, Arabic or French. Every participant is coached individually and leaves ready for the real thing, and looking forward to it. Afterwards you receive a written report on each person and on the team, with recommendations for next steps.
Our work with international organisations
European Commission: communication training across the EU's institutions and agencies
We led the consortium that held the Commission's four-year framework contract for communication training across the EU's institutions and agencies, and Commission officials have trained with us for more than a decade.
UNHCR: strategy and crisis communication from Geneva to the field
A strategic communication workshop at its Geneva headquarters, then strategy and crisis communication training for its teams covering South Sudan, Somalia and Burundi.
International Committee of the Red Cross: communication training for its delegations
Staff of its delegations in Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon and Nigeria have trained with us more than 20 times in nine disciplines, the Baghdad delegation's spokesperson among them.
UNICEF: crisis and strategic communication for its country offices
Communicators from its country offices in Yemen, Ethiopia, Afghanistan and Somalia have trained with us 11 times over close to a decade, most often in crisis communication.
Accredited by
Talk to us about your team
Tell us who speaks for your organisation and the situations they face. We reply within one working day.
Prefer email? Write to london@isoc.com.
