Interview with residents of the Campesina Cachuela Mamoré Community (Guayaramerín/Bolivia) |
Social Dialogue
The Social Communication and Interaction Program was developed to ensure that the Inventory Studies were known to the entire society, particularly the population living in the region of the Madeira, Abunã, Beni, Mamoré rivers, and their tributaries. Dialogue with the communities and institutions was the chosen method for interaction, clarification, and knowledge production. In addition, PCS organized meetings
and
visits to the communities, differentscommunication channels were available during the
development of the studies.
The methodological approach adopted had a communication strategy that provided information gradually, consistently, and under control, to avoid generating expectations as well as rumors and distortions.
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Project Identity Development
This involved creating a logo and defining a typographic standard applied to the graphic communication materials.
These efforts aimed to contribute to effective communication and clearly identify the contents, activities, and spaces related to the Studies, thereby unifying the visual language of the materials distributed in both Bolivian and Brazilian territories.
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Team Training
All professionals involved in the studies underwent training in order to know and applied the Field Conduct Standards. This ensured that the professionals acted in accordance with the guidelines set by the commissioning companies, respecting the environment, local populations, and indigenous and traditional communities.
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Installation of a Binational Inventory Studies Information Center
At the start of the work, the Binational Inventory Studies Information Center (CEI) was established in the city of Guajará-Mirim, Rondônia, Brazil. The main objective of this center was to serve the public in person, disseminate information about the studies, host meetings, and provide training for the field teams.
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Provision of Communication Channels
In Brazilian territory, the use of the ‘WhatsApp’ application is widespread. Some communities lack telephone services but have internet access. Some communities in Bolivia also have access to public internet access centers. In addition to in-person service at the CEI, communication channels such as a toll-free 0800 number, WhatsApp, and email were established. Additionally, the use of radio in both territories proved to be a valuable resource for informing the public about meetings, work suspensions during the pandemic and the announcement of Public Seminars.
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Formal Contacts with the Local Population and Institutional Representatives
This type of communication involved institutional contacts with civil entities and riverside communities. These visits aimed to inform about the initiation of the Inventory Studies, publicize the communication channels available, and provide field information in order to improve identify and characterize the social players through the application of qualified interviews. This form of contact was essential not only to keep the population informed but also to immediately address questions, dispel rumors, and correct distortions.
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Example of ‘Suggestion’ Boxes placed in public and private establishments in the main study area.
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Expansion of Communication
Ballot Boxes were placed in strategic locations such as shops, schools, health centers, etc., i.e., public places easily accessible. The selection of those places aimed to enhance the dissemination of information about the Hydropower Inventory Studies in the main area, providing direct contact between the population and the Social Communication and Interaction Program and thru this channel we received questions, suggestions and complaints These boxes were monitored monthly with the collection of the ballots and provide answers in board disposed near the ballot boxes or sent by WhatsApp message or email, if the person give their direct contact. All the information collected by PCS were save in a database associated with the localization, in order to identify the communities that needs additional information.
In addition to the boxes, a website was developed for the Inventory Studies where study phases, activities conducted, and informative documents produced by the Social Communication and Interaction Program (PCS) were posted. Social communication in both brazilian and bolivian territories involved direct contact between PCS communication agents and representatives of civil society and local populations, with the distribution of graphic materials and placement of boxes. In brazilian territory, remote areas were identified, therefore, the Inventory Studies communication channels were advertised on local radios when needed.
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Evaluation and Adjustment of Program Implementation
Opinion Polls were conducted in 2018 and 2019 to assess the effectiveness of the Communication actions, determining whether the population was aware of the studies being conducted in the region and identifying adjustments needs of PCS . A research protocol was adopted through sampling in communities within the main study area. In the municipal head offices of both countries, distribution of the survey was prioritized in riverside areas. This process revealed the necessity for clarification meetings in communities where the survey results indicated a low level of awareness about the studies..
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Presentation of Results and Conclusion
Following the guidelines of the Inventory Manual and the Study Terms of Reference, Technical Meetings and Public Seminars were held after the conclusion of the Final Studies (watch the videos below).
Upon conclusion of the Madeira River Inventory Studies, the documents were delivered to the national authorities, which in the Brazilian case, is the Ministry of Mines and Energy.
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