Writing for the Internet: New Approaches to Producing Concise and Compelling Texts

Target Group
The seminar is intended for public officials at all levels who have an interest in online communication or who need to produce texts for the internet.

Description
The internet has brought about many changes to daily life, both professionally and privately. It is changing the way public administrators communicate and organise information online. The internet allows us to reach broader audiences and make content accessible to citizens and businesses. Consequently, writers of texts to be published on the internet need to keep their messages short and simple, and use language effectively. In addition, the manner in which information is organised is pivotal to how readers access and use online resources.

The seminar introduces participants to issues including:
• The organisation of information online and the structure of websites;
• Which text formats to use for various online platforms and tools;
• Which creative strategies and techniques are recommended for writing and revising texts;
• Safe and effective use of multimedia and social media.

Learning Methodology
Good practice examples of communication and websites will be highlighted, including case studies from UN programmes (e.g. UNESCO, FAO and UNU). The techniques presented will enable participants to produce more concise and reader-friendly content, with an additional focus on broad dissemination via a range of social media channels. Participants will have the opportunity to put new insights into practice right away. The seminar comprises group discussions as well as workshop exercises.

Objectives
After the seminar participants will be able to:
• Identify and describe the different segments of their online audiences;
• Understand the key characteristics of web accessibility and user-friendly design;
• Revise a writing sample to make it more appropriate for the web (e.g. articles, blogs);
• Produce short pieces of writing that employ the principles of effective web writing;
• Commission and produce original multimedia and data visualisations to highlight, explain and promote a range of complex texts;
• Employ safely and effectively a range of social media;
• Produce content as part of a team.

Programme
The programme will commence on Monday 6 February at 10.00 hrs and finish on Tuesday 7 February at 12.30 hrs.

Seminar venue
The seminar will take place at the European Institute of Public Administration, O.L. Vrouweplein 22, NL-6211 HE Maastricht, tel.: +31 43 32 96 222, fax: +31 43 32 96 296.

Working language
The seminar will be conducted in English.

Fee
The participation fee is €720 and includes documentation, one lunch, one dinner and refreshments. Accommodation and travel costs are at the expense of the participants or their administration. EIPA offers its members a reduction of 10% of the registration fee. For details, please click here.

Hotel reservations
The European Institute of Public Administration will be pleased to make reservations for you at a hotel in Maastricht. We have made a block booking at Townhouse Hotel Maastricht **** (www.townhousehotels.nl ), at a rate of approx. €84,00 p.p.p.n. (incl. breakfast). Please note that the exact hotel rates for 2012 are not yet known. Should you wish to make use of this possibility, please indicate the dates of arrival and departure on the registration form. Payment is to be made directly and personally to the hotel on checking out. Please note that if you register after the closing date, hotel reservations cannot be guaranteed.

Meals
The lunch will be served at the Institute’s restaurant. Should you require a special menu (e.g. vegetarian, diabetic), please inform the Programme Organiser so that this can be arranged.

Registration
Kindly complete the online registration form before 19 January 2012.
Your name and address will be part of EIPA's database for our mailing purpose only. If you do not wish to be included in our mailing database, please tick the box on the registration form.

Confirmation
Confirmation of registration will be forwarded to participants on receipt of the completed registration form.

Payment
Prior payment is a condition for participation. Please indicate the method of payment on the registration form. In any case, the participant or his/her administration will receive an invoice for the payment of the registration fee. For cancellations received after the date indicated on the registration form we will have to charge an administration fee of €150 unless a replacement participant is found.

Cancellation policy
EIPA reserves the right to cancel the seminar up to two weeks before the starting date. EIPA accepts no responsibility for any costs incurred (travel, hotel, etc.). For EIPA's cancellation policy, please visit our website.