The professor of strategic communications was an invited speaker for a professional development program hosted by Mexico’s Matías Romero Institute.
Vanessa Bravo, professor of strategic communications, recently shared her expertise in strategic storytelling and public diplomacy with Mexican diplomats and scholars through a presentation hosted by the Matías Romero Institute, Mexico’s diplomatic academy.
Bravo was invited to speak during “Diplomacia Digital y Gobernanza Tecnológica en la Política Exterior Contemporánea” (“Digital Diplomacy and Technological Governance in Contemporary Foreign Policy”), a multiweek professional development program held in Mexico City.
Joining the program virtually on Sept. 22, Bravo delivered an hourlong presentation exploring how diplomats can construct stories that are interesting, understandable and useful to different audiences across digital and traditional platforms.
During her presentation, Bravo discussed communication theories such as framing and strategic narratives, demonstrating how established narratives can be reframed through counter-narratives to offer alternative perspectives and elevate underrepresented voices.
She highlighted examples involving the #MeToo movement and advocacy surrounding reproductive rights to illustrate how narratives can be reframed through online and offline communication. Bravo explained how similar strategies, grounded in ethical principles and accuracy, can be applied to diplomacy and foreign policy.
Turning specifically to Mexico, Bravo discussed the country’s emphasis on protecting human rights regardless of where individuals live or their immigration status. She also highlighted Mexico’s framing of immigration as a shared responsibility with the United States.
Approximately 20 diplomats from Mexico’s Secretariat of Foreign Affairs attended the session, along with professors from Mexican universities that partner with the Matías Romero Institute.
Mexican diplomat Rodrigo Márquez Latigue, who coordinates training and courses at the institute, invited Bravo to participate after previously hearing her present at the International Studies Association’s annual conference. Her research and expertise include strategic communications, government-diaspora communications and public diplomacy. The formal invitation was extended on behalf of Ambassador Juan José Bremer, director of the institute.
Established in 1974 by Mexico’s Secretariat of Foreign Affairs, the Matías Romero Institute is responsible for training and professional development for Mexican diplomats.