WIPO organized the Regional Training on Communication Skills for Development Agenda (DA) Project Managers and Officers from Latin America and the Caribbean in collaboration with the Government of Guatemala, with support from Funds-In-Trust Japan Industrial Property Global, in Guatemala, from September 17 to 19, 2025, marking the first in-person regional communication skills training for DA Project National Focal Points.
Strategic communication for maximum impact
The three-day training brought together 21 participants from nine countries (Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Dominica, Ecuador, El Salvador, Peru, Bolivia and Guatemala), representing Ministries, Intellectual Property Offices, and Academia. The training aimed to strengthen participants' capacity for understanding and effectively disseminating DA projects, including their achievements and impact. The program recognized the critical role of DA Project Managers and Officers as communicators who connect development initiatives with the communities they serve, emphasizing communication as a fundamental tool for mobilizing support, fostering collaboration, and amplifying project impact.
Comprehensive learning through theory and practice
The program combined theoretical foundations with hands-on practical exercises, covering strategic communication fundamentals including message framing, target audience analysis, and storytelling techniques through case studies and interactive sessions. Participants explored communication tools and techniques across digital and traditional channels, visual communication, and legal considerations while engaging in design-thinking exercises to develop communication strategies for actual DA projects.
The training emphasized practical application and evaluation methods for monitoring communication impact, covering preparation of dissemination notes, structuring compelling project stories, and effective media engagement. Participants presented comprehensive communication strategies for selected DA projects, demonstrating enhanced planning, execution, and evaluation capabilities.
Building regional networks
The interactive methodology proved highly effective in building confidence and providing concrete skills. Participants particularly valued the hands-on approach and opportunity to work with real DA projects while strengthening regional professional networks. The program fostered both improved individual communication skills and a stronger regional community of practice committed to promoting development through intellectual property and strategic communication.
This training represents a significant investment in regional capacity building, ensuring DA projects achieve greater visibility and resonance among diverse stakeholders across Latin America and the Caribbean, reinforcing WIPO's commitment to empowering national focal points for lasting development impact.