As part of the series of pre event content, we interviewed Solitaire Townsend, Managing Director of Futerra Communications.

Soli (as she likes to be known) founded Futerra in 2001. Its mantra is simple:

• Creative and Strategic Communications for Sustainable Development

In this interview, we cover off three broad areas

• To explain Futerra’s involvement in the Commonwealth People’s Forum
• To better understand the issues around Climate security
• To understand why communication is so important and what can be done.

Click to download the low bandwidth file here or press play below:

You can download a transcript of the interview in Word or PDF here.

What do you think?

• Are the media too scientific about Climate change and communication thereof?
• Is communication really that important? Won’t people take more action if it hits their pocket rather than their conscience?

Note to self: I will be shutting down this computer as soon as this post is uploaded! Time to do my bit!

The BBC are running a series of audio documentaries entitled ‘Tales from the Commonwealth.’

In this four-part series, broadcasters from Guyana, Mozambique, St Lucia and Papua New Guinea show us round their country’s capitals, introduce us to local personalities, and talk about the issues they feel most strongly about.

Check them out here.

If there’s a consistent message about addressing climate change, it’s got to be that we all need to take personal responsibility. That said, our political leaders also have an important role.

The organisers of this year’s Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting are seeking to offset carbon emissions of those attending by commissioning the services of EcoTrust. Pauline Nantongo Kalunda is Executive Director of EcoTrust (Environment Conservation Trust of Uganda).

ECOTRUST’s task is to offset carbon emissions resulting from the travel associated with a major international event of this type. The aim is to achieve this by sequestration using Ugandan native trees.

Below is a short video interview with Pauline. If you can’t see it, click here.

Download a transcript in Word or PDF here.

Pauline makes a few key points which are:

• The link between actions to combat climate change and their effects is still weak
• The change process is complicated and experts are using scientific language which does not encourage action
• There is a need to demystify the language and send messages to ensure people understand how serious the problem is

What do you think? What actions are you taking yourself? Can individual governments legislate for change? Is it something that can be legislated for?

You can download a copy of the EcoTrust’s profile here in PDF format.

If you are here, it’s likely you are aware of the forthcoming ‘Commonwealth People’s Forum’ taking place in Uganda between 18 – 22nd November 2007.

Here’s Dr Mark Collins, Director of the Commonwealth Foundation with a few thoughts of his own on what’s happening. If you can’t see the video below, click here.

You can download a transcript in Word or PDF here.

Things are going to be a little different this year. For the first time, we are opening up the forum to the entire Commonwealth.

British Council is supporting a new online initiative aimed at creating a global discussion on the issues that affect us all. A team of Ugandans are being trained to bring you both happenings from the event and their own opinions on the issues.

The issues will include:

• Environment and Natural Resources
• Governance, Participation and Human Rights
• Economic Development
• Education for Transformation
• Health
• Culture, Creativity and Identity

Unlike standard reports, they will aim to make these issues come alive using multiple media. This blog will include text updates, audio and video interviews, photography, and more.

But, the real benefit is that there’s an opportunity to make your views heard on the issues that matter to you. Each update (or post) offers the chance to make your views known through the ‘Join the Debate – Read Comments’ option featuring at the bottom of each post. It’s your chance to engage with others around the Commonwealth and inform us of what matters to you.

New posts will go up in advance of the event and we hope you’ll join us on this exciting journey. Feel free to sign up for immediate updates as they happen by entering your email address in the box provided on the right hand side.

Thank you and we look forward to your joining us in Uganda!