Public Sector Communication

It is now usual to talk about the ‘information society’. The term, which applies to increasing production and consumption of information, also implies an ever-greater diversification of communication sources and vectors. For public institutions in Switzerland and abroad, this has led to a corresponding increase in the importance of communication (both from a strategic and financial point of view). Moreover, communication, like many other functions, is perceived differently when carried out by public institutions. Public institutions are required to communicate differently than other actors.

This course aims to address the specificities of public communication from a theoretical and practical point of view. The increase in communication by governments, public institutions, non-governmental organisations, as well as international organisations is raising many questions:
What are the current specificities of their environment? How have their missions and structures evolved? How is communication understood? When is it appropriate to communicate? What can be communicated? What are the boundaries between public and political communication? What are the ethical boundaries of public communication? Should governments be more transparent in their communication?

These questions will be explored through lectures, but also through expert talks and interactive workshops.

• Understand different theories related to organizational developments in the public sector
• Comprehend various institutional forms, contexts, and paradigms within the broader public sector
• Identify and address the limitations of key communication tools in the public sector
• Critically analyze the dynamics of institutional, project-based, and public policy communication

In presence

• Lectures
• Expert talks
• Interactive workshops

Attendance at workshops is mandatory; for other sessions, it is strongly recommended.

• 70% multiple choice exam
• 30% Workshop