3 March 2024 – Energy was rapidly building up as communications team was hyping up the colleagues at WHO Jordan Country Office, setting the stage for a highly anticipated Communication Essentials workshop. With minds primed and notebooks at the ready, the Country Office technical teams set out on an interactive journey to elevate their communication skills and get a deeper understanding of the communications field work.

As the day of the long-awaited workshop unfolded, it was clear that this wasn’t going to be just another training day. It was a workshop to empower and enlighten.

WHO Jordan staff starting the communications essentials with an icebreaker

The day began with an exciting icebreaker to bring team members closer together and hype them for a full day of engaged learning. A rundown of the workshop objectives came next, followed by an introduction to the newly developed comprehensive communication strategy and its potential to better connect and improve the efficiency of the communications, operations and technical teams.

A team of experts was brought in to give hands-on training in visual storytelling and how to capture moments through the lens of a mobile camera. Smartphones at the ready, Country Office teams eagerly absorbed every tip and trick to give photos of bland official meetings a more creative look. From framing the perfect shot to capturing the essence of a story, they embraced the art of mobile photography.

Next, the participants turned to look at social media advocacy. They learned how to navigate the digital landscape with purpose and passion for health. Through real-life examples from a local health influencer, they discovered the power of their voices to promote health and well-being on social media platforms.

Communication Team and guest speakers giving presentations on communication functions and tools

The workshop didn’t stop there. It delved deeper into the heart of communication within WHO. Participants learned not only to speak but also to listen, to engage actively with WHO’s internal communication platforms. WHO EMRO colleague Ms Sampreethi Aipanjiguly enriched our grasp of leveraging digital spaces to amplify office engagements and network with colleagues at the global, regional and national levels of the Organization.

Perhaps the most profound moments came when we engaged the team in a role-play contest to imagine a real-life scenario and write a professional social media post. In a world where silos often hinder progress, this exercise was a great example of collaboration. Together, we explored mediums and approaches of integration, applying the communication strategy into the very fabric of our daily routine tasks.

Dr Jamela Al-Raiby, WHO Representative to Jordan, said: “The Communication Essentials workshop exemplifies our office’s commitment to transformation and collaboration, equipping the teams with essential communication skills to amplify WHO’s impact on the ground and make our work more visible for the people in Jordan.”

Participants left the workshop with a renewed sense of purpose, embracing their roles as ambassadors of communication, champions of health, and advocates for change.