Certificate in Advocacy and Networking

September 12 – 30, 2005

Wherever change needs to occur . . . advocacy has a role to play.

In this age of globalization, development practitioners and other civil society representatives are increasingly finding they need to develop their capacity to become more effective advocates and to mobilize public support around common issues. They also recognize the need to be actively engaged in influencing the creation of policies and programs that affect their work at the grassroots level.

Although there are many different ways to conceptualize advocacy, this Certificate Program will focus on advocacy directed at changing the policies, positions or programs of any type of institution. This includes a small NGO, a council of elders, a multinational corporation, a government ministry, a nation state, an international agency or other institutions.

Whether the goal is to protect a fragile watershed, source funding for a maternal health clinic, promote new programs to address homelessness, enact laws to make buildings accessible for people with disabilities, or change existing laws which discriminate against women, advocacy can help to accomplish those goals.

CONTENT
Conceptualizing advocacy as a process for social and economic change

• Determining goals: Policy influence, civil society strengthening, democratization or social transformation?
• Identifying capacity building and alliance building approaches that are consistent with goals

Working collaboratively with partners on advocacy

• Agenda setting and issue prioritization
• Northern partners' roles
• Joint campaigning (structures, working relationships)
• Linking micro & macro as well as local & global advocacy issues

Strengthening capacity building for advocacy

• Identifying the target audiences and their specific goals and strategies
• Measuring impact
• Collective reflection, documentation and the development of case studies

Building and mobilizing constituencies

• Broadening constituencies through networking and the use of new information technologies
• Applying educational methods to raise awareness and mobilize support

OBJECTIVES
As a result of this program, participants will be able to:

• Demonstrate skills in influencing public policy and mobilizing public opinion in support of social and economic change
• Understand conceptual frameworks for joint advocacy and capacity building approaches to achieve social and economic change
• Enhance knowledge through the sharing of experiences in key topic areas related to advocacy and capacity building
• Explore ways to establish an ongoing learning network for capacity building in advocacy and to identify mechanisms to maintain such a network

RESOURCES
The Coady Institute is able to offer its participants access to:

• State-of-the-art computer technology
• A library specializing in community-based development
• Comfortable residences
• All university resources, including newly constructed recreation and athletic facilities, campus library and renovated dining hall
• Many on-campus activities including guest lecture series, socials, intramurals, theatre and music

WHERE IS THE PROGRAM OFFERED?
The Coady's Certificate Program in Advocacy and Networking is offered at the Institute's facilities on the historic campus of St. Francis Xavier University. The campus is nestled in the heart of Eastern Canada's scenic coastal town of Antigonish, Nova Scotia. With a population of almost 6000, Antigonish boasts a diverse heritage, rich in Scottish, Aboriginal, French and African-Canadian ancestry.

FEES
All program costs are quoted in Canadian dollars and subject to revision. Partial bursaries for tuition are available through the Coady Institute and are awarded on the basis of need. Candidates are fully responsible for covering the cost of their own travel and living expenses.

ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS

• A good working knowledge of English
• Mid to senior level position in a community-based organization, people's organization, government department, intermediary organization, NGO or equivalent
• At least five years of experience in community-based development
• A university degree (preferred)
• Minimum secondary school certificate

Note: Applicants should have some direct experience in advocacy work and want to enhance their understanding and skills in this area.

APPLY
Applications should be received six months prior to the beginning of the program to allow sufficient time for processing.

For further information please contact:

The Admissions Officer
Coady International Institute
St. Francis Xavier University
PO Box 5000
Antigonish, NS
Nova Scotia
Canada
B2G 2W5

Application Form  (MS Word)

COADY INTERNATIONAL INSTITUTE
Education, Innovation and Action
The Coady International Institute of St. Francis Xavier University has been promoting community self-reliance since it opened its doors over 40 years ago to educate community leaders from around the world. Established in 1959, the Coady Institute is world-renowned as a centre of excellence in community-based development.

The Institute was named in honour of Rev. Dr. Moses Coady, a prominent founder of the Antigonish Movement - a people's movement for economic and social justice which began in Nova Scotia during the 1920s.

Over the past four decades, the global reach of the Institute has grown immensely. More than 4,000 development organization leaders from over 130 countries have taken part in the Institute's campus-based programs.

The Coady is able to remain at the forefront of innovation within the field of community-based development by adapting and evolving to meet the changing needs of development practitioners. The Institute is a learning organization - dedicated to identifying, developing and disseminating knowledge on effective development practice. As a leader in the study and practice of community-based development, we provide relevant programs that help others make a positive difference in their own communities.

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