Communication was the focus of Euroradio’s International Relations Plenary meeting in Budapest on 15/16 September.

The meeting, chaired by Ilaria di Luzio from Italian Member RAI, reinforced the importance of the working links between EBU organizations. For radio these links are maintained by group of people dedicated to ensuring that the B2B communication is effective, guaranteeing the flow of information, smooth working of collaborative projects, mutual assistance, and sharing of content. 

The plenary drew on outside influences to examine the nature of effective and efficient communication with two cases studies. One left field invitation was to Kerstin Schotte from the World Health Organization, whose responsibility lies in the smoking cessation area; she shared how the WHO was able to work with partners across the globe to meet their clearly-defined objectives. Additionally, the group was able to benefit from the presence of Csaba Káel, the CEO of Müpa Budapest, which is the past decade has established itself as a major presence in European artistic life, through clear communication of its brand and values.

Margit Desch from Austria shared her research on how, from the very start of radio in the 1920s, the medium was seen as a tool for building international understanding and sharing each other’s cultural experiences. 

With Norwegian FM switch-off on the horizon on 11 January 2017 , the Plenary heard from Grethe Haaland from NRK about the timetable and preparations for this event, which will take place in the area around Bodø in northern Norway. That provided the central point for the theme of digital radio, as case-studies were presented on progress in different territories, as well as an overview of the European situation. In addition, delegates were presented with news about EBU projects from Generation What, to latest initiatives in related relevant areas such as Television, Sport and News.

Chair of the International Relations Group, Ilaria di Luzio said that in our times of technological developments and media evolution, our long history of communication for the exchange of ideas, experiences and best practices, as well as of contents, still proves as being the distinctively crucial factor for inspiring our paths for innovative and effective action.