Establishing the relationship between media, researchers, policy and key stakeholders to highlight the significance of science engagement in the fight against COVID-19 pandemic

Today, the world is struggling with the New Coronavirus which is devastating humans and economies. In this regard, researchers globally are working to find solutions to curb the virus. Effective science engagement among key actors in the world of COVID-19 pandemic is key for information sharing among countries to protect humans and drive positive economic development. The COVID 19: Linking Science Society to Better Lives (LSSBL) project will contribute towards communications outreach in the fight against COVID-19 pandemic and other public health issues. Different approaches will be utilised in collaboration with experts to sustain stakeholder engagement and the best practices. To achieve this, the project will be undertaken in two-fold. First, science engagement and secondly science advocacy. Ideally, the promotion aspect will focus to communicate beyond news reporting to engage key stakeholders and advocate for best practices and mobilise support for evidence-based science that could later benefit the end users to make life better. Collaboration with media, targeted audiences such as, NGO's, Science Academies, National Science and Technology Councils, Medical Associations, Academia and individual researchers will be heightened with those willing to support the science and technology agenda to contribute to socioeconomic development. In this regard, science engagement will help researchers to demystify science and find practical solutions to the pandemic. The project goal is to improve knowledge on COVID -19 pandemic through science engagement and advocacy that ultimately benefits communities. Expected Outcomes By 2022 , key deliverables will include; Dedicated media platforms established to report on COVID-19/Public Health countrywide, 10 Community Radios Stations, 1 Public Media, 5 Private Media - Radio/TV, Social Media will be on going. It is hoped that by the end of the programme, the database will be established with key sources of health experts, 60 Journalists will be oriented in science engagement for effective communication. Enhanced collaboration with Zambia National Institute Public Health (ZNIPH), Science Councils, selected NGOs, Research Institutions, Ministry of Health, Ministry of Gender, Ministry of Community Services, networking platform established with key stakeholders and 20 journalists will be identified to report on public health.