1

Risk CommunicationAn overview of objectives principles

barriers and benefits

Halifax NS

March 22nd 2012

2

Definition

Risk communication is the interactive exchange of information and opinions

concerning risk and risk-related factors among risk assessors risk managers

and other interested parties

- Adapted from FAOWHO 1998

3

Objectives

bull Awareness

bull Understanding risks and decisions

bull Appropriate involvement

bull Trust and confidence

bull Effectiveness and efficiency

4

Principles

bull Knowing the audiencebull Involving the scientific expertsbull Involving communication expertsbull Being a credible source of informationbull Sharing responsibilitybull Assuring transparencybull Timeliness

5

Strategy

bull A communication strategy throughout all stages of the risk analysis process

bull Multiple dimensionsndash Types of recipients (eg partners contributors stakeholders)

bull Government agencies research organizations academia industry aboriginal groups private land owners NGOs the media etc

ndash Size of groups involvedndash Location and timing of communicationndash Types of tools and media (eg Interactive vs passive)

bull Workshops site visits presentations conference webinars public meetings conference calls videoconferences websites SharePoint sites posters handouts etc

6

ChallengesBarriers

In the risk analysis processbull Access to informationbull Participation

In all contextsbull Differences in perceptionsbull Differences in receptivitybull Lack of understanding of the

scientific processbull The media

7

Referencesbull FAO 1998 The Application of Risk Communication to Food Standards and Safety Matters a

Joint FAOWHO Expert Consultation Rome Italy 2-6 February 1998

bull IPPC 2007 Training material on pest risk analysis based on IPPC standards Training course day 5 - Presentation A - Risk communication httpswwwippcintindexphpid=186208amptype=publicationampsubtype=ampcategory_id=amptx_publication_pi1[pointer]=1publication

bull Health Canada 2006 Strategic Risk Communications Framework Within the Context of Health Canada and the PHACs Integrated Risk Management Ottawa 26 p httpwwwriskcommunicationsgcca

bull The PresidentialCongressional Commission on Risk Assessmentand Risk Management 1997 Risk Management in Regulatory Decision-Making Final Report Volume 2 1997

2

Definition

Risk communication is the interactive exchange of information and opinions

concerning risk and risk-related factors among risk assessors risk managers

and other interested parties

- Adapted from FAOWHO 1998

3

Objectives

bull Awareness

bull Understanding risks and decisions

bull Appropriate involvement

bull Trust and confidence

bull Effectiveness and efficiency

4

Principles

bull Knowing the audiencebull Involving the scientific expertsbull Involving communication expertsbull Being a credible source of informationbull Sharing responsibilitybull Assuring transparencybull Timeliness

5

Strategy

bull A communication strategy throughout all stages of the risk analysis process

bull Multiple dimensionsndash Types of recipients (eg partners contributors stakeholders)

bull Government agencies research organizations academia industry aboriginal groups private land owners NGOs the media etc

ndash Size of groups involvedndash Location and timing of communicationndash Types of tools and media (eg Interactive vs passive)

bull Workshops site visits presentations conference webinars public meetings conference calls videoconferences websites SharePoint sites posters handouts etc

6

ChallengesBarriers

In the risk analysis processbull Access to informationbull Participation

In all contextsbull Differences in perceptionsbull Differences in receptivitybull Lack of understanding of the

scientific processbull The media

7

Referencesbull FAO 1998 The Application of Risk Communication to Food Standards and Safety Matters a

Joint FAOWHO Expert Consultation Rome Italy 2-6 February 1998

bull IPPC 2007 Training material on pest risk analysis based on IPPC standards Training course day 5 - Presentation A - Risk communication httpswwwippcintindexphpid=186208amptype=publicationampsubtype=ampcategory_id=amptx_publication_pi1[pointer]=1publication

bull Health Canada 2006 Strategic Risk Communications Framework Within the Context of Health Canada and the PHACs Integrated Risk Management Ottawa 26 p httpwwwriskcommunicationsgcca

bull The PresidentialCongressional Commission on Risk Assessmentand Risk Management 1997 Risk Management in Regulatory Decision-Making Final Report Volume 2 1997

3

Objectives

bull Awareness

bull Understanding risks and decisions

bull Appropriate involvement

bull Trust and confidence

bull Effectiveness and efficiency

4

Principles

bull Knowing the audiencebull Involving the scientific expertsbull Involving communication expertsbull Being a credible source of informationbull Sharing responsibilitybull Assuring transparencybull Timeliness

5

Strategy

bull A communication strategy throughout all stages of the risk analysis process

bull Multiple dimensionsndash Types of recipients (eg partners contributors stakeholders)

bull Government agencies research organizations academia industry aboriginal groups private land owners NGOs the media etc

ndash Size of groups involvedndash Location and timing of communicationndash Types of tools and media (eg Interactive vs passive)

bull Workshops site visits presentations conference webinars public meetings conference calls videoconferences websites SharePoint sites posters handouts etc

6

ChallengesBarriers

In the risk analysis processbull Access to informationbull Participation

In all contextsbull Differences in perceptionsbull Differences in receptivitybull Lack of understanding of the

scientific processbull The media

7

Referencesbull FAO 1998 The Application of Risk Communication to Food Standards and Safety Matters a

Joint FAOWHO Expert Consultation Rome Italy 2-6 February 1998

bull IPPC 2007 Training material on pest risk analysis based on IPPC standards Training course day 5 - Presentation A - Risk communication httpswwwippcintindexphpid=186208amptype=publicationampsubtype=ampcategory_id=amptx_publication_pi1[pointer]=1publication

bull Health Canada 2006 Strategic Risk Communications Framework Within the Context of Health Canada and the PHACs Integrated Risk Management Ottawa 26 p httpwwwriskcommunicationsgcca

bull The PresidentialCongressional Commission on Risk Assessmentand Risk Management 1997 Risk Management in Regulatory Decision-Making Final Report Volume 2 1997

4

Principles

bull Knowing the audiencebull Involving the scientific expertsbull Involving communication expertsbull Being a credible source of informationbull Sharing responsibilitybull Assuring transparencybull Timeliness

5

Strategy

bull A communication strategy throughout all stages of the risk analysis process

bull Multiple dimensionsndash Types of recipients (eg partners contributors stakeholders)

bull Government agencies research organizations academia industry aboriginal groups private land owners NGOs the media etc

ndash Size of groups involvedndash Location and timing of communicationndash Types of tools and media (eg Interactive vs passive)

bull Workshops site visits presentations conference webinars public meetings conference calls videoconferences websites SharePoint sites posters handouts etc

6

ChallengesBarriers

In the risk analysis processbull Access to informationbull Participation

In all contextsbull Differences in perceptionsbull Differences in receptivitybull Lack of understanding of the

scientific processbull The media

7

Referencesbull FAO 1998 The Application of Risk Communication to Food Standards and Safety Matters a

Joint FAOWHO Expert Consultation Rome Italy 2-6 February 1998

bull IPPC 2007 Training material on pest risk analysis based on IPPC standards Training course day 5 - Presentation A - Risk communication httpswwwippcintindexphpid=186208amptype=publicationampsubtype=ampcategory_id=amptx_publication_pi1[pointer]=1publication

bull Health Canada 2006 Strategic Risk Communications Framework Within the Context of Health Canada and the PHACs Integrated Risk Management Ottawa 26 p httpwwwriskcommunicationsgcca

bull The PresidentialCongressional Commission on Risk Assessmentand Risk Management 1997 Risk Management in Regulatory Decision-Making Final Report Volume 2 1997

5

Strategy

bull A communication strategy throughout all stages of the risk analysis process

bull Multiple dimensionsndash Types of recipients (eg partners contributors stakeholders)

bull Government agencies research organizations academia industry aboriginal groups private land owners NGOs the media etc

ndash Size of groups involvedndash Location and timing of communicationndash Types of tools and media (eg Interactive vs passive)

bull Workshops site visits presentations conference webinars public meetings conference calls videoconferences websites SharePoint sites posters handouts etc

6

ChallengesBarriers

In the risk analysis processbull Access to informationbull Participation

In all contextsbull Differences in perceptionsbull Differences in receptivitybull Lack of understanding of the

scientific processbull The media

7

Referencesbull FAO 1998 The Application of Risk Communication to Food Standards and Safety Matters a

Joint FAOWHO Expert Consultation Rome Italy 2-6 February 1998

bull IPPC 2007 Training material on pest risk analysis based on IPPC standards Training course day 5 - Presentation A - Risk communication httpswwwippcintindexphpid=186208amptype=publicationampsubtype=ampcategory_id=amptx_publication_pi1[pointer]=1publication

bull Health Canada 2006 Strategic Risk Communications Framework Within the Context of Health Canada and the PHACs Integrated Risk Management Ottawa 26 p httpwwwriskcommunicationsgcca

bull The PresidentialCongressional Commission on Risk Assessmentand Risk Management 1997 Risk Management in Regulatory Decision-Making Final Report Volume 2 1997

6

ChallengesBarriers

In the risk analysis processbull Access to informationbull Participation

In all contextsbull Differences in perceptionsbull Differences in receptivitybull Lack of understanding of the

scientific processbull The media

7

Referencesbull FAO 1998 The Application of Risk Communication to Food Standards and Safety Matters a

Joint FAOWHO Expert Consultation Rome Italy 2-6 February 1998

bull IPPC 2007 Training material on pest risk analysis based on IPPC standards Training course day 5 - Presentation A - Risk communication httpswwwippcintindexphpid=186208amptype=publicationampsubtype=ampcategory_id=amptx_publication_pi1[pointer]=1publication

bull Health Canada 2006 Strategic Risk Communications Framework Within the Context of Health Canada and the PHACs Integrated Risk Management Ottawa 26 p httpwwwriskcommunicationsgcca

bull The PresidentialCongressional Commission on Risk Assessmentand Risk Management 1997 Risk Management in Regulatory Decision-Making Final Report Volume 2 1997

7

Referencesbull FAO 1998 The Application of Risk Communication to Food Standards and Safety Matters a

Joint FAOWHO Expert Consultation Rome Italy 2-6 February 1998

bull IPPC 2007 Training material on pest risk analysis based on IPPC standards Training course day 5 - Presentation A - Risk communication httpswwwippcintindexphpid=186208amptype=publicationampsubtype=ampcategory_id=amptx_publication_pi1[pointer]=1publication

bull Health Canada 2006 Strategic Risk Communications Framework Within the Context of Health Canada and the PHACs Integrated Risk Management Ottawa 26 p httpwwwriskcommunicationsgcca

bull The PresidentialCongressional Commission on Risk Assessmentand Risk Management 1997 Risk Management in Regulatory Decision-Making Final Report Volume 2 1997