Outline of the workshop:
Covid 19 pandemic is an example of health emergency at global level, in which institutional communication plays a fundamental role. WHO developed in 2005 general recommendations to be included in national pandemic plans: due to their vulnerable implementation, at the outbreak of the pandemic some countries have succeeded in promoting effective informative actions; others have not, promoting uncoordinated information actions inadequate to the situation. The study is structured on 3 phases: National and international literature review on institutional communication strategies;A retrospective and comparative analysis of countries proved to be of particular interest, identifying their strengths (level of coordination, authority and scientific nature of the communication, adequacy to the context, etc.) and criticalities (inadequacy to a state of crisis, overabundance of contents and sources, lack of centralisation, etc.).On this basis, the key elements to elaborate a communication model suitable for a crisis context will be identified.

Specific Aims:
The presentation, starting from an analysis of how the pandemic has been institutionally communicated in some European and non-European countries, focuses on what worked and what failed, to identify key elements for an effective communication strategy. These key elements, with their strengths and weaknesses, will be analysed according to relevant parameters such as timeliness, effectiveness, ability to manage information flows, inter-institutional coordination, communication channels. The results will be compared with the indications provided by WHO and the CDC.

Key Questions:
Ineffective communication feeds collective fears and uncontrolled reactions in the population and in the economic system, while effective communication, made up of coordinated clear messages, based on the collective perception of risk, can influence the way in which citizens respond to adverse events, and support the exit from the emergency. The presentation aims to gather useful elements derived from past experiences to support future emergency situations.

Speakers:
GIOVANNI REZZA, Directorate General of Health Prevention, Ministry of Health FERRUCCIO DI PAOLO, NATO civilian expert for crisis communication, Professor of sociology of cultural and communicative processes CHIARA CREPALDI, Senior Researcher, Study Center of Fondazione The Bridge ALESSANDRO VENTURI, Professor of Administrative Law and Regional Law and Local Authorities, University of Pavia, President of the IRCCS Policlinico San Matteo di Pavia Foundation, Scientific Director of the Hi-Healthcare Observatory Moderator: GUIDO LEGNANTE, associate professor in the Faculty of Political Science of the University of Pavia