Our World Bank-Annenberg Summer Institute, or WBASI is back for another year and this year’s focus is more pertinent than ever: Strategic Communication and Stakeholder Engagement in Times of Crisis. WBASI is our annual 10-day program where business and organizational professionals learn effective communication and stakeholder engagement strategies to meet their reform communication goals. 

Each year the Summer Institute hones in on a key corner of reform. The pandemic has made it harder than ever for changemakers to reach stakeholders. As the upcoming Summer Institute focuses on crisis management and stakeholder engagement during the pandemic, you will learn how to meet your own communication goals and connect with your stakeholders. Here are our top 10 reasons why you should join us this summer.

1. Engaging stakeholders during a crisis is difficult.

Whether you have a foothold on your own stakeholders or not during the pandemic, receiving a refresher about how to reach them and effectively communicate to your audiences may allow you to reach stakeholder groups you didn't even know existed or could be reached. The Summer Institute will provide you with the tools you need to engage your stakeholders at any stage of the reform process.

2. The future is uncertain.

Every entity, no matter how big or small, has been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. While many people have received the first dose of the vaccine, the future is still uncertain in this rocky pandemic era. During the past year, businesses have been unstable as they grapple to connect with stakeholders who matter to them. The Summer Institute will help organizations become better prepared and focused even as the vaccine slowly starts to roll out.

3. Gain an understanding of the political economy.

As reformers, many stakeholders have leverage in the political economy, and navigating the political landscape can be overwhelming even for communication experts. The Summer Institute will help you analyze the political economy and avoid the minefields in your reform work.

4. Learn the most recent advances in Communication.

The Annenberg School is ranked as one of the top Communication schools in the world. QS World University Rankings by Subject placed Annenberg as number two in 2021 for Communication and Media Studies schools.  Rankings “are based upon academic reputation, employer reputation and research impact.” With a research-based curriculum, you will learn about the most recent advances in Communication during our workshops at the Summer Institute. 

Several workshops planned for the 2021 Summer Institute include: 

• Public Diplomacy and Media
• VR/Immersive Storytelling
• Social Media Strategies and Applications
• Dealing with Critics and Opponents
• Capacity Building for Change and Collaboration - Leading in a Network

5. Learn from the experts in Communication and Reform.

The Summer Institute is taught by leading experts from the World Bank, the USC Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism and the Annenberg School for Communication at the University of Pennsylvania.  While our workshops are led by World Bank and Annenberg faculty, participants are encouraged to share their own knowledge through TED Talk-style discourses.

6. Build useful frameworks for stakeholder engagement.

Reform takes a lot of work and change is never easy. You will learn clear strategic frameworks which you can apply to your own stakeholder groups. The framework is a step-by-step process that is key to achieving your organizational goals.

7. Connect and network with global changemakers.