The Role of Communication in Governance: The River Health Programme as a Case Study

Within South Africa, active public participation in decision-making processes and policy development is a requirement for governance to be successful. Similarly, ecosystem governance requires active public participation in environmental issues. For the public to become progressively more involved in decision-making, an increase in public understanding of, active involvement in and engagement with science, is needed. This emphasises the importance of sound science communication strategies that will lead to informed responses to environmental issues.

This Chapter describes the role of communication between the components of the ecosystem governance Trialogue Model, namely science, society and government. The focus is directed particularly towards the role of communication in the society-science interface, highlighting the lessons learnt and communication challenges arising from the South African River Health Programme’s State-of-Rivers reporting component.