Human-First Narratives Help Public Institutions Rebuild Trust
By Brenda Duran
January 2026
When people see their own struggles, resilience and dignity reflected in the stories that public institutions choose to tell, they understand how municipal policies and programs intersect with their daily lives.
Indeed, stories that resonate with people and build connections with them should stand at the forefront of our public relations strategies.
After more than a decade in government communications, I’ve seen how important it is to prioritize people and their concerns in the stories we tell. Stories that reflect people’s experiences help communities understand government programs and who they’re meant to serve.
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