Communication expert | Alteritas

VALUE FOR SOCIETY and SOCIAL ENGAGEMENT

Today, as a party concerned, citizens expect pro-active, transparant and true communication in all areas of their life. They ask to be involved in urbain development projects in their municipality, and in solutions for mobility, climate, education, etc. People today are more articulate and better informed. More than ever, knowledge and expertise are everywhere in society, unfortunately so is disinformation. Citizens' initiatives arise as an expression of social engagement. Media and social media are bursting with outspoken opinions - well-founded and less well-founded ones.

In this reality, confidence in existing policy processes has become very shaky. As a response, governments and public services, together with their partners, are looking for effective ways to involve citizens and other stakeholders, aimed at keep steering a clear course and taking and implementing supported decisions. A difficult balancing act!

With Alteritas I help governments and organisations in Brussels in the field of communication and participation. In social, sustainability and urban projects, I help to create connections between stakeholders and governments (and clients) around commonly defined goals and through transparent and effective communication and participation processes.

How can I help you?

Katleen Vandriessche

COMMUNICATION services

Communication

CONSULTANCY

In co-creation with you (and your team and stakeholders, if you wish), we analyse

the landscape, develop your unique messaging and set out your communication strategy and approach based on your overall goals. As your guide in this participative process, I will raise critical questions from a 360° perspective, focused on clear messaging.

You can also call on me for an audit or meticulous communication advice.

PROJECT MANAGEMENT

Need external support to head the communication of your project?

I can be your one-stop shop for developing a concept and a plan and execution that suit your goals and budget. This can cover overall communications or just specific parts: internal communication, stakeholder management, liaising with partners and authorities in Brussels, PR/media relations, copywriting, online campaigns etc.

TRAININGS & WORKSHOPS

At your request, I put together tailor-made training courses and workshops within the context of your organisation. I let your team members discover how they can better connect with each other and with stakeholders. Authenticity and self-reflection are central to this.

You can contact me for strategic thinking days and team days ('mises-au-vert') or for specific communication training such as communicating about sustainability, assertive and non-violent communication, conveying difficult messages, intercultural skills, stakeholder management, etc.

PARTICIPATION process and facilitation

Effective participation is more than ‘asking citizens about their opinion’. Citizens, citizens' movements and other stakeholders are important antennae in society.

In urban renewal projects and social or sustainability issues and plans, one can ask stakeholders about their perceptions of reality for you to understand diverse and common attitudes, have them analyse the context, involve them in measurements (so called ‘citizen science’), submit, evaluate or vote proposals, actively involve them in implementation and communication, mobilise them,..... Or what would think of putting in place citizens' councils and citizens' budgets?

Participation is a process that requires time and space, but when handled properly and in a timely manner, it does save lots of your time and energy ! Why? Because it unites diverse people and empowers them around a common goal.

Starting with a thorough context analysis, I investigate together with you as a client (government, engineering firm, architectural

firm, etc. ) who your real stakeholders are. After defining a clear and realistic goal together, I draw up a process and methods to involve everyone in the most appropriate way. With an eye for transparent communication. To get there, you can expect me to ask many critical questions.

I supervise the implementation of that process with the necessary flexibility. I facilitate participation workshops in multiple languages, using all kinds of online and offline tools. Which tools to choose will always depend on goal and stakeholders.

Training

About

MY EXPERTISE

A seasoned communications professional, I have worked with companies, agencies, NGOs and public services from local to European level. Thus, I developed broad expertise and strengthened my ability to act as a go-between with a holistic view. I am fluent in four languages (English, French, German, and Dutch) and love to work in an intercultural environment.

From communication I gradually evolved towards participation and stakeholder management, as the need for building common grounds became obvious. I took a professional training at Levuur, one of the references in Belgium. Moreover I am a trained coach (NLP) and accredited Insights® practitioner.

MY CREDO

I have always lived and worked on the crossroads of cultures. The diversity and dynamism of Brussels, where I have lived with my husband and kids for the past 20 years, still fascinate me. Here, I experience the social and ecological challenges of society every day, as much as the need to stay connected if we want to turn those challenges into positive change.

I want to contribute to this through professional communication and participation consultancy - which to me are two sides of the same coin.

MY NETWORK

Depending on the nature and volume of work, I run projects and training sessions on my own or together with a project team of other experts from my network. This flexible and transparent way of working makes it possible to have the most suitable people on board in a very cost-effective way. What you get is agency experience without agency fees.