Communications Professionals in Philanthropy – Decoding Narratives: Understanding the Deeper Structures of Public Communication
The Communications Professionals in Philanthropy Community of Practice will host “Decoding Narratives: Understanding the Deeper Structures of Public Communication” online on 14 May.
We are living through a profound transformation in the way societies communicate, engage, and form collective meaning. The rise of hyper-polarised political figures, threats to free speech, and the viral spread of disinformation have exposed critical vulnerabilities in our traditional infrastructures of trust and public discourse.
What makes certain narratives “stick” and go viral and why do rational counter-messages so often fail? How can we identify and map the deeper emotional or identity-based drivers behind polarised narratives in areas like climate, democracy, or foreign aid? Where is the line between amplifying harmful narratives and responsibly engaging with them, and how should philanthropy navigate that tension?
This session will provide an overview of today’s increasingly polarised global landscape and examine why traditional methods of thinking and communication often fall short. Participants will analyse real-world examples of highly polarised messages, particularly in the areas of climate change, democracy, and global development cooperation, to understand what makes these conversations so susceptible to weaponisation.
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