“The only way to change the culture of the UN is through teamwork.”
—UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon

Joint communications play a powerful role in improving the flow of information between UN entities and UN staff members to tell the UN system’s collective story. As a valuable and practical tool, joint communications enables UN entities to combine efforts, pool talent, resources and expertise, and strategically deliver concrete actions in unison to garner support and achieve common communications goals. Dedicating the proper resources to prepare and follow-through with a joint communication strategy will help UN country teams to tell its compelling story.

In the same way that a UN Development Assistance Framework (UNDAF) defines a collective strategic framework for the UN country team's objectives and programmes, so a joint communications strategy provides a framework, process and plan for the communications activities the team undertakes to support the UNDAF and other activities. By developing a common strategy, UNCT members can enhance inter-agency understanding and knowledge, work together more effectively, harmonize their messages, magnify their overall voice and impact, and produce lasting, meaningful results. The strategy must be creative and foster team spirit, but it also must have clear objectives, outputs, outcomes, and shared responsibilities. 

Joint communication strategies must be planned with an in-depth understanding of the priorities and immediate objectives of the UN country team and its members. Increased coordination among UN system communications officers in preparing joint communication strategies, work plans, advocacy campaigns, and websites will foster a stronger sense of unity in diversity and common purpose at the country level.