CEPA Toolkit including considerations for Access and Benefit-Sharing

The Secretariat developed this toolkit on communication, education and public awareness (CEPA) including considerations for access and benefit-sharing (ABS) which contains methodologies, tips, checklists, case models and other materials to help Parties and stakeholders develop innovative awareness-raising strategies to communicate about biodiversity-related issues, and in particular access and benefit-sharing. The toolkit contains general principles on strategic communication, as well as content structured around following communication objectives: how to inform and advocate; how to engage for change and action; and how to collaborate on biodiversity. The toolkit is meant to be a resource for ABS National Focal Points that are dealing with CEPA issues as part of their daily responsibilities. It provides guidance on where, when and how to use a wide range of education and communication interventions.Users are invited to select from the following communication goals:

• Goal 1: Planning for strategic communication and raising awareness.
• Goal 2: Fostering political will and engaging decision-makers.
• Goal 3: Involving indigenous peoples and local communities (IPLCs) and relevant stakeholders.
• Goal 4: Communicating for successful partnerships.

The toolkit also points the user to useful resources for further reading. It offers an opportunity for readers to pick and choose the most relevant sections of the toolkit in light of their particular communication needs at a given time. The toolkit is available in Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Russian and Spanish.