The main goal of the MNCN Communication and Public Programs Department is to reach society, letting people know the work that takes place in the different departments of this Institution: research, collections, exhibitions and educational activities.
To achieve this objective, the department is mainly targeting three groups: society in general, and with journalists and private and public institutions in particular. Contact with media professionals occurs mainly through the press releases that are sent periodically from the centre. We work with two well-defined groups, one specialized in scientific communication and another focused on exhibitions and educational activities. The information is sent to each group depending on the content.
The department aims to become a reference source for scientific journalists. A database has been developed that allows us to select the shipping addresses of each material and where the contacts are kept up to date. We try to take have direct contact with the communication professionals both when they need information about the museum itself and when they ask about environmental issues. We also try to be in contact with different press associations such as APIA or AECC. On the other way, we would like to establish a relationship of mutual trust that allows us to be more present in different communication platforms.
We complement the sending of press releases to specialized journalists, by updating all the information in MNCN website, with the blog and the social networks. Currently we work regularly with Twitter, Facebook, G+ and we are assessing the possibility of expanding our networks as well as the use of new narratives that allow us to reach a wide range of people.
Through the website, monthly newsletter and social networks, as well as the digital magazine NaturalMente, we try to establish a direct relationship with both visitors and with all people interested in natural sciences. The digital magazine, which is launched every three months and includes external collaborations, is designed for teachers and students between 14 and 18 years old, as well as anyone interested in natural sciences. In addition to scientific dissemination articles, the journal collects the daily life of the MNCN, including exhibitions and other activities that take place in the centre, as well as the PhD theses or research projects in which the MNCN is involved.
Finally, we encourage collaborations with other institutions through exhibitions, mailing information or making presentations and activities that take place both inside and outside the Museum. Thus, we collaborate regularly with educational centres, public and private companies, Non-governmental organizations, foundations, and other museums and research centres.
