LocationsElevating Communication from Visibility to Strategic Impact at UNDP Bangladesh
Reimagining Communication Beyond Visibility at UNDP Bangladesh
June 10, 2026
Project managers and communication focals gather at the UNDP Bangladesh Strategic Communications workshop to build a more integrated approach to storytelling.
©UNDP Bangladesh
Communication is often seen as the final step in a development project. Mostly, it is defined by the press release after an event, the social media post after a milestone, or the story published once results are achieved. But what if communication were not the end of the process, but a strategic driver of impact from the very beginning?
That question sat at the heart of the Strategic Communications Workshop, From Projects to Impact: Communication as a Strategic Driver. The workshop was held on 8 June 2026 at the UNDP Bangladesh premises in Dhaka. It brought together communications professionals and project colleagues from across UNDP Bangladesh to explore how communication can move beyond visibility to influence policy, strengthen stakeholder engagement, mobilize resources, and ultimately contribute to sustainable development outcomes.
Opening the workshop, Stefan Liller, Resident Representative of UNDP Bangladesh, emphasized that communication is fundamental to development work and should be embedded in everything an organization does. Reflecting on its importance, he remarked, “What’s not communicated or shared hasn’t really happened or existed. That is why our communication efforts need to be more coherent, strategic and aligned across the organization, with stronger coordination from the country office.”
Joining virtually, Stefan Liller, Resident Representative of UNDP Bangladesh, shares his vision for a more integrated communications approach that amplifies UNDP’s development impact.
©UNDP Bangladesh
His message set the tone for a day focused on elevating communication from a support function to a strategic asset. Participants reflected on how communication can help connect development results with the people and communities they are intended to serve, while also strengthening trust, accountability and institutional credibility.
The discussions challenged participants to rethink traditional approaches to communications. Rather than documenting activities, strategic communication was framed as a tool for demonstrating change and generating influence. Participants explored how communication planning can be integrated into project design from the outset, ensuring that stories of impact are captured throughout the project lifecycle and beyond.
Sharing his perspective from project implementation, AKM Azad Rahman, Project Manager of the Local Government Initiative on Climate Change (LoGIC) Project, highlighted the importance of documenting long-term results beyond formal project timelines. He said, “Every project has its life cycle, but capturing the post-project impact is where we usually fall short. If we can capture things beyond the project's life, it could have a huge impact.”
The workshop combined these strategic conversations with practical learning from experts in presentation skills, media engagement and artificial intelligence.
Ghulam Sumdany Don sharing simple techniques to make project presentations more effective and engaging
©UNDP Bangladesh
Facilitating the session on effective pitching and presentation techniques, Ghulam Sumdany Don, one of Bangladesh’s most sought-after corporate trainers, encouraged participants to focus on audience engagement rather than information overload. He emphasized,“In the first 90 seconds of your presentation, you have to grab the audience’s attention.”
The media engagement session, led by Mir Masruruzzaman Rony, Chief News Editor of Channel i, offered valuable insights into how journalists assess stories and what makes development work newsworthy. Challenging participants to move beyond activity-based reporting, he observed, “Activities are not news. Changes are.”
Mir Masruruzzaman Rony discussing what makes a project story news-worthy.
©UNDP Bangladesh
Looking ahead, the workshop explored how artificial intelligence is reshaping communications and the future of work. Facilitating the session, Sabbir Ahmed, digital learning entrepreneur, AI trainer, and the Founder and Lead Instructor of Learning Bangladesh, introduced participants to emerging tools and workflows that are transforming research, content creation and knowledge management. Highlighting the pace of change, he cautioned, “Those who are not using agentic AI or workflow automation will increasingly fall behind those who are.”
While technology featured prominently in the discussions, participants agreed that human judgement, creativity and relationship-building remain at the heart of effective communication. As AI takes on more routine tasks, communications professionals will need to focus increasingly on strategic thinking, audience engagement and trust-building.
Sabbir Ahmed demonstrating the potential of agentic AI and workflow automation
©UNDP Bangladesh
The workshop concluded with a reflection session where participants shared lessons they planned to apply in their work. Many highlighted the practical nature of the discussions and the opportunity to learn from both communications specialists and project colleagues. The exchange of experiences reinforced a shared commitment to strengthening strategic communication across the organization.
Participants engage in discussions and reflection on interactive learning during the Strategic Communications Workshop
©UNDP Bangladesh
Closing the workshop, Sonali Dayaratne, Deputy Resident Representative of UNDP Bangladesh, called for a more integrated approach that reflects UNDP’s broader contribution to national development. She emphasized the importance of communicating collective impact and institutional value. As she noted, “The pros of having an integrated approach to communications far outweigh the individual projectized communications.”
Joining the discussion virtually, Sonali Dayaratne, Deputy Resident Representative of UNDP Bangladesh, emphasizes a unified communications approach that reflects UNDP’s broader contribution to national development.
©UNDP Bangladesh
As UNDP Bangladesh continues to evolve its communications approach, the workshop served as a timely reminder that communication is not simply about being seen. It is about influencing change and ensuring that development impact reaches far beyond the boundaries of individual projects.
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