Effective Message Dissemination

It is definitely a strategic move by getting someone from other respectful organisation to come and share their thought that is similar to what our own self would like to see. For example, we ask people to have sustainable lifestyle but the result might not as what we envision if people perceived that we are not serious. Hence, getting someone known for the very purpose and who has achieved it to share might be more convincing. Alternatively, getting someone with authority to appeal might have convinced people that this is the way forward. I learned this during a working discussion with Marang District Council yesterday. The Council came to discuss with me for organising a LA 21 workshop on 3rd December 2009 to identify issues and to formulate community vision. I was asked to facilitate the workshop and to share with the participants on the LA 21 implementation. Apart from that, officer from Ministry of Housing and Local Government will also be there to enlighten the participants on LA 21 implementation world wide and in Malaysia.

A question was prompted during the discussion. Someone mentioned about why Marang should implement LA 21 now as the initiative has been 10 years old in Malaysia. Well, many reasons for doing so and it is better late than not doing anything. We did agree that instead of Marang District Council telling others why, it is better for the reasons to come from the Ministry of Housing and Local Government, the focal point for Local Agenda 21. It must be more convincing if the announcement attached with incentive such as grant for programmes implementation. More than often, communities are excited for having a programmes funded or endorsed by external agencies rather than the local. They feel proud of associating with respectful organisations. More so if certificate of participation bearing the name and logo of that particular organisation. This must have become an important ingredient for the success of the programmes. MBPJ has gone through that stage during the LA 21 pilot project implementation. Stakeholders came forward were so excited of partnering a programme with participation from UNDP, UPE and Ministry. To me, it is also a form of recognition.

Perhaps this is because we are so familiar with each others locally that we have always paying high regard to the people from outside. I guess this might be one of the reasons why I am invited.