For the past year an international task force has been developing plans for a professional organization dedicated to the field of environmental communication (EC). Up to this point, we have been mostly working internally. However, today we are releasing a strategic planning document for comment and discussion within and beyond the EC community of scholars, practitioners, students and activists.
Please download the International Environmental Communication Association strategic planning document (PDF) and have a look. We invite you to leave comments here on the blog, or send them to the Environmental Communication Network mailing list.
Please note that “International Environmental Communication Association” is a working name for the organization. In addition to your comments on the details of the proposed organization, we would also like to hear your suggestions for a name.
If you support the effort to build and promote the field and to improve and expand the practice of environmental communication, then I and my colleagues on the task force urge you to contribute to the discussion. And please pass this message on to people and networks you think might be interested.
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[...] the launch of a new international professional association dedicated to environmental communication (http://indications.wordpress.com/2010/10/10/proposed-international-environmental-communication-asso… ). We’ve established a timeline for implementation by mid-year [...]
I like the proposal very much. The rationale is good, as is the ambition and proposed actions. As a relative newcomer to the field, I very much support the idea of an international focal point for EC.
Given that i’m personnaly based outside the US, just one comment on the ‘internationalization’ aspect. How would the IECA go about this? Would there be scope for tie-ins with other non-US organisations? Or co-sponsorship of events outside of the US, perhaps with/via ECREA?
Perhaps something to think a bit more deeply about, as it would be beneficial to all parties to have an internationally visible IECA.
Mat: Thanks for the comment. We have to be intentional in reaching out beyond the U. S. borders in crafting the mission, scope, and activities of the new association. Linking with existing international groups (ECREA, IAMCR, etc.) is a start. We’re thinking about collaborating on joint programs at conferences, and perhaps holding conferences in concert (in person or on-line) down the road as well. Many things are possible if people are willing to organize!!! Let’s get together and launch!!!!
Cass,
Thanks for your input, and point well taken. The Task Force emerged from an academic group, and the Planning Document no doubt has that “flavor.” The work has just begun in developing a set of specific member benefits of value to practitioners (and academics, for that matter), at a reasonable cost. The next phase will need to move the group from abstact objectives to concrete propositions.
We are in the process of identifying and recruiting practitioners for leadership positions on the Launch Team. If you would like to nominate yourself or someone else you think would be productive in this role, please let us know!
Thanks for your input.
Lee
After the more-than-one-page discussion of core academic opportunities, the following sentence seems rather cursory: “Practitioners of environmental communication face similar organizational issues due to lack of a professional association.” I can assure you that it’s not the lack of professional associations — of which there are many. Rather, it’s that enviro comm tends to be at the fringe of these organizations.
Perhaps someone in your task group could provide a more balanced discussion of practitioner activities and limitations?