During October 20-21, a two-day in-person workshop from the Capacity Building on Public Speaking & Storytelling training programme was held in València thanks to the joint efforts of JA PreventNCD and Filtered. This meeting was the last step of the hybrid learning process conducted by Magda Petryniak, communication coach and storytelling specialist.
In public health, communication is more than a skill; it’s a catalyst for change. Powerful speaking goes beyond delivering information; it moves people to act, strengthens trust, and aligns perspectives. “This training has created confidence in us and our skills to develop better presentations" stated Sofie Randby from the Norwegian Institute of Public Health (NIPH). We now have lots of techniques to help us deliver our message”. Randby, member of JA PreventNCD coordination team, underscored the benefits of improving communication skills in health advocacy, as they enable data and evidence to be transformed into messages that resonate with people, institutions and policymakers.
The workshop was hosted by Fisabio Foundation, the competent authority of JA PreventNCD in Spain, which provided welcoming spaces that encouraged open discussion and collaboration. Meals were prepared by a nearby service provider using fresh, locally sourced and seasonal ingredients. This approach put health and sustainability into practice, setting an example for participants to follow.
“This training will create confidence in us and also the skills to develop better presentations. We have now lots of techniques to help us in delivering our message.” Sofie Randby – NIPH
Stories that forge connections
Before coming to València, attendees worked on different communication tools during online sessions. As Chiara Doccioli, from the Istituto per lo Studio, la Prevenzione e la Rete Oncologica in Florence, explains: “During my work I have to engage stakeholders and speak to the general public so I think it's very necessary to improve our public speaking capacities”. This insight from the medical epidemiologist involved in the work on on social inequalities in the JA PreventNCD highlights why mastering these skills is essential to ensure that our message reaches all the relevant parties to drive change.
These lessons covered everything from planning strategies according to audience and purpose, to developing persuasion and storytelling skills. Successful presentation frameworks, like The Pitch, Sparkline or the Pyramid Principle, were adopted and put it into practice. During this training stage, learners acquired the know-how to balance the message of their speeches according to the principles of ethos, pathos and logos. Getting ready to take the stage and make an impact.
“During my work I have to engage stakeholders and speak to the general public so I think it's very necessary to improve our public speaking capacities.” Chiara Doccioli – ISPRO
The first day of the in-person workshop started with some presentation activities where participants already demonstrated their speaking-in-public skills during some presentation activities. Through success stories and challenges from JA PreventNCD and Filtered, participants identified key factors for success and areas for improvement.
The last part of the day was devoted to pitching skills and how to communicate ideas in contexts of uncertainty. Using narrative formats such as “What? - So what? - Now what?” or The Pitch, teams of participants prepared a spokesperson to deliver their message about how we can break silos in Public Health and advance towards a healthier Europe.
On the second day, the theory on delivery and non-verbal communication from the online course came to life. Participants practised voice, posture and stage presence, made short recordings and received personalised feedback. The final session integrated everything learnt with a reflection on how these skills can improve the visibility and impact of European health projects.
Voices for a healthier future
During the course, public health professionals practised structuring clear messages, mastering persuasive storytelling and refining their body language. They became capable of translating scientific evidence into messages that resonate with communities, institutions and policymakers.
The JA PreventNCD and Filtered teams are now better equipped to build meaningful connections, deliver their messages effectively to the right audiences and increase the impact of their projects. With strengthened communication skills, their voices are ready to drive action and help shape a healthier future for Europe.