Instituting reforms is challenging. The changing environment of politics, the conflicting interests of multiple stakeholders, and contrary public opinions can all become obstacles to the success of a reform agenda.

So how can leaders and change agents create successful and sustainable reforms?

What is the role of strategic communication in planning, implementing and evaluating a reform? Join us for the 2017 World Bank-Annenberg Summer Institute in Reform Communication: Leadership, Strategy and Stakeholder Alignment to find answers to these important questions.

The seventh annual Summer Institute will be held at the University of Southern California in Los Angeles, June 5-June 16, 2017. During the 10-day program, participants will learn the most recent advances in communication and proven techniques in reform implementation. Participants will develop the skills required to bring about real change, leading to development results. Leaders will also connect with a global network of development professionals working on initiatives in the public, private and non-profit sectors.

Participants will acquire critical skills in five key areas:

• Interpreting and using political economy analyses
• Crafting multi-stakeholder collaboration, coalition and network building strategies and tactics to support reform
• Providing communication skills that support the implementation of reforms
• Leveraging social/digital media tools and analytics effectively
• Developing communication metrics and applying monitoring and evaluation frameworks relevant to reform.

The Summer Institute is designed for leaders, strategists and advisors who want to strengthen the critical competencies necessary to support change agents and reform leaders in developing countries.  Senior development practitioners and communication professionals from countries in Africa, Asia, Latin America, and the Middle East attend the course each year, creating a global network of development professionals working on initiatives in the public, private and non-profit sectors, with which leaders can connect.

The course is designed and organized each year by the World Bank Group's External and Corporate Relations (ECR), Operational Communications unit, the Annenberg School for Communication at the University of Pennsylvania, and the Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism at the University of Southern California.

Please view the 2017 flyer to learn more about the program.

Visit the course website and apply online to participate in this unique and interactive program. The deadline for applications is January 20, 2017.

And check out the Summer Institute’s Facebook page for videos, photos and more.