--- title: Harvesting and Hosting Conversations with Ian Andersen (2021) description: We revisit our conversation with Ian Andersen, a former Participatory Innovation Adviser at the European Commission. image: https://blog.govcommsinstitute.com/hubfs/Copy%20of%20From%20The%20Vault%20(1200%20%C3%97%20627%20px)%20(1)-1.png --- Talk to us [![fb](https://blog.govcommsinstitute.com/hubfs/facebook-brands.svg)](https://www.facebook.com/govcinstitute) [![li](https://blog.govcommsinstitute.com/hubfs/linkedin-brands.svg)](https://www.linkedin.com/company/govcomms-institute) [![tw](https://blog.govcommsinstitute.com/hubfs/twitter-brands.svg)](https://twitter.com/govc_institute) [![in](https://blog.govcommsinstitute.com/hubfs/instagram-brands.svg)](https://www.instagram.com/govcommsinstitute/) [![logo-white](https://blog.govcommsinstitute.com/hs-fs/hubfs/logo-white.png?width=197&height=40&name=logo-white.png "logo-white")](https://contentgroup-19617054.hs-sites.com/home-2) [![GCI Horizontal Logo](https://blog.govcommsinstitute.com/hs-fs/hubfs/GCI%20%20Horizontal%20Logo.png?width=197&name=GCI%20%20Horizontal%20Logo.png "GCI Horizontal Logo")](https://blog.govcommsinstitute.com/podcast/hosting-and-harvesting-conversations-2021) - [Podcast](https://blog.govcommsinstitute.com/podcast) - [About us](https://www.govcommsinstitute.com/about) - [Contact us](https://www.govcommsinstitute.com/contact) [Back to blog](https://blog.govcommsinstitute.com/podcast) # Harvesting and Hosting Conversations with Ian Andersen (2021) [![](https://blog.govcommsinstitute.com/hubfs/GovComms%20Institute%20Logo-01.jpg)  GovComms Institute Team](https://blog.govcommsinstitute.com/podcast/author/govcomms-institute-team)  | Jun 7, 2023 1:51:44 PM [From the Vault](https://blog.govcommsinstitute.com/podcast/tag/from-the-vault) ![](https://blog.govcommsinstitute.com/hubfs/Copy%20of%20From%20The%20Vault%20(1200%20%C3%97%20627%20px)%20(1)-1.png) In this episode of GovComms' 'From the Vault,' we revisit our insightful conversation with [Ian Andersen](https://www.linkedin.com/in/ian-andersen-46104714/), who dedicated 35 years to improving communication for Europeans at the European Commission. As a passionate Participatory Innovation Adviser, Ian strived to foster genuine engagement and co-creation with stakeholders, even in the midst of the challenges posed by online discussions during the COVID-19 pandemic. During the interview, we delve into Ian's remarkable journey as an Interpreter. He shares valuable insights, highlighting the crucial factors that contribute to an interpreter's success. Ian also emphasises the crucial role of active listening in achieving sustainable outcomes, and the importance of involving everyone in policy-making discussions. > *“Generating solutions start with the conversation. By focusing on actually listening, we can get to results that are sustainable, that people will actually happily engage in rather than try to flee from it.” - Ian Andersen* Furthermore, Ian states that adopting a participatory policy-making framework reduces the influence of lobbyists and is the most productive way of involving stakeholders. As the interview concludes, effective strategies for harvesting and hosting productive conversations are explored, providing valuable insights for successful communication endeavors. LinkedIn - [https://www.linkedin.com/in/ian-andersen-46104714/](https://www.linkedin.com/in/ian-andersen-46104714/)  --- ###### About the Author GovComms Institute Team ### On the same subject ### [Communicating Public Health Risks with Clare and Alice Collins (2015)](https://blog.govcommsinstitute.com/podcast/communicating-public-health-risks) [GovComms Institute Team](https://blog.govcommsinstitute.com/podcast/author/govcomms-institute-team) [From the Vault](https://blog.govcommsinstitute.com/podcast/tag/from-the-vault) ### [Communicating Humanitarian Crises with Osama Saeed Bhutta (2017)](https://blog.govcommsinstitute.com/podcast/communicating-humanitarian-crises) [GovComms Institute Team](https://blog.govcommsinstitute.com/podcast/author/govcomms-institute-team) [From the Vault](https://blog.govcommsinstitute.com/podcast/tag/from-the-vault) ### [Thinking like a System with Howard Parry-Husbands (2021)](https://blog.govcommsinstitute.com/podcast/thinking-like-a-system-2021) [GovComms Institute Team](https://blog.govcommsinstitute.com/podcast/author/govcomms-institute-team) [From the Vault](https://blog.govcommsinstitute.com/podcast/tag/from-the-vault) [![GCI Horizontal Logo](https://blog.govcommsinstitute.com/hs-fs/hubfs/GCI%20%20Horizontal%20Logo.png?width=200&height=41&name=GCI%20%20Horizontal%20Logo.png "GCI Horizontal Logo")](https://blog.govcommsinstitute.com/) A global platform for government communicators. - SITE MAP - [Home](https://www.govcommsinstitute.com) - [About us](https://www.govcommsinstitute.com/about) - [Contact us](https://www.govcommsinstitute.com/contact) - LEGALS - [Privacy Policy](https://www.govcommsinstitute.com/pirivacy-policy) - [Terms & Conditions](https://www.govcommsinstitute.com/terms-and-conditions) - CONTACT US - [+61 2 6273 0232](tel:+61%202%206273%200232) - [govcomms.institute@contentgroup.com.au](mailto:govcomms.institute@contentgroup.com.au) - [Level 3, 2 Mort Street, Canberra, ACT 2601 GPO Box 2381, Canberra, ACT 2601](https://goo.gl/maps/4iAFuvdJ1KbTe28CA) - Copyright © 2020 contentgroup Theme designed by [Markentive](https://www.markentive.com/)