GlobCom
Authentic learning for tomorrow’s communication professionals
Globcom 2015: The challenge
Students, working in internationalisation teams with members from all ​15 participating countries, were tasked to create a creative, well researched and professionally presented communication proposal to raise the profile of the Heart of Borneo (HoB) .
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Despite representing just 1% of the Earth’s terrestrial surface, Boneo holds an estimated 6% of global biodiversity. At least 13 primate species, 350 bird species and 15,000 species of plants live in Borneo. The Heart of Borneo (HoB) covers 22 million hectares across Brunei Darussalam, Indonesia and Malaysia and is home to roughly one million indigenous people, the Dayak. As an ecosystem it is invaluable. However, less than 20% of the area is protected. The rest is allocated to economic development, predominantly mining, timber logging and palm oil plantations, all of which put pressure on the region's biodiversity and associated ecosystem services. For example, the WWF has calculated that since 2007 45% of the Asian elephant’s habitat and 16% of orang-utan habitat in the HoB has been lost.
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The Challenge: for students to create memorable messages communicating the uniqueness and importance of the HoB in a positive, encouraging and action focused way (avoiding negative messages that audiences have grown tired of.
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"The HoB would be known as a synonym for good production - source your timber, oil palm, cocoa or rattan from the HoB and there is no need to check your supply chains, you know they will have been produced to the highest possible standards of sustainability. The HoB will be known as a global tourist destination. The HoB will be known as one of the best places to live in the world."
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Briefing document
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Students were provided with a detailed, written brief at the beginning of the campaign (a copy is available for downloading on the top right of this page). They then had the benefit of two live briefing and Q&A sessions with Dr. Henry Chan, the WWF Borneo Leader, who also made himself available for further discussions via email. WWF staff attended the Symposium, including a pre-conference media workshop, facilitated by Curtin staff, and provided feedback on the merits of the final pitch proposals. WWF staff also discussed placement and internship opportunities with multiple delegates.
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A copy of the 2015 GlobCom Challenge briefing document, downloadable via the link above
Two times GlobCom participant Stav Pisk provides a first hand insight into the intenrational learning experience, with a focus on GlobCom 2015.
"I got the chance to meet my team mates from across the globe and to see so many new faces, some who have become my lifelong friends. We were immersed in cross cultural communication, as we discussed pressing world issues, learned new words in German and Portuguese, and ate lots of delicious Malaysian food. We also got to see everyone’s hard work pay off, as students from the top three teams presented their public relations plan for a panel of judges, which included the client. We also watched interesting panels which discussed international public relations, specifically, and globalisation generally."
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Find the full reflection attached or by clicking here
Group photo of 2015 student delegates, academics and industry representeatives prior to the annual Gala Dinner at the Meritz Hotel in Miri, Sarawak, Borneo, Malaysia
Photos of students presenting as part of the 2015 Symposium and pitch finals
