VIP Profile: Henry Tenenbaum

VIP Profile: Henry Tenenbaum
Rwanda, August 2013

Learning to Engage Local media and Communicate Program Results Efficiently
Successful program implementation requires not only skillful planning and management of activities, but also efficient communication of program goals and objectives, as well as results achieved in the course of implementation or when the program is ending. Various types of communication skills are required, ranging from media awareness to effective messaging to different media, to using social networks and social media. Given constantly improving technology, these requirement may posed challenges to local staff and program managers.
To assist with building local capacity in the media-related areas Global Communities partnered with renowned Television/Radio producer and journalist Henry Tenenbaum. With over 40 years of experience in journalism, news presenting, public relations, and with nine EMMY Awards under his belt, Henry volunteered to provide focused media training for the Rwandan staff while at the same time producing a short video to highlight the work of Ejo Heza’s ‘We are the Change’ Volunteers. In doing so, Henry combined his personal goal of helping develop media skills and strategies to promote developing democracies with Global Communities’ goal to convey its program impacts more efficiently.
Henry and Ejo Heza staff produced a video which was used in December 2013 during the Cracking the Nut conference on economic development in the region. He also provided a wide range of advice including on producing radio programs, the use of mobile technology as a media channel, the use of social media and distance learning, and on television and video lessons to enhance program effectiveness in carrying its message to diverse local audiences.
Said Henry in remarks concluding his field report: “I was tremendously impressed by the skill, enthusiasm and creativity of the staff. I know that, with time and encouragement, a number of goals can be accomplished in the next months.” Examples include adding music, drama, and humor to the existing radio programs; developing more feedback incentives and mechanisms within the programs; intensifying the use of “mobile money” services and interfaces; recruiting in-house social media promoters to encourage content contributions and staff involvement with websites.