Public Health Advocacy Short Course

Public health advocacy is not well understood yet it is a critical component of modern health promotion.  Advocacy is the deliberate pursuit of changes in policy, attitudes, behaviour, and decision-making done in the interests of public health and community wellbeing.  Part-science, part-art, modern advocacy involves developing a holistic approach to persuasion and influence and relies on strategic thinking and good preparation, including a good understanding of stakeholders and audiences: their power, roles, motivations, frames of reference, influences, and relationships.  The 4-day PHAI Advocacy Short Course will provide professionals and policy makers with a broad understanding of the role, uses and benefits of using a public health advocacy approach in efforts to promote health and wellbeing of communities, including one on one advocacy roles. No prior advocacy knowledge is required.

The course will encourage participants to work in groups on issues decided via consensus, to plan, design and implement a public health advocacy program for their community or public health sector. It will take participants through how to negotiate outcomes and liaise with key partners in the advocacy process, provide an advocacy planning framework, essential planning tools and a range of proven advocacy methods and strategies for action and evaluation.

The program includes a range of excellent guest speakers who will ensure the balance between theory and practice, and a one working with the media day is also included. 

Participants will work through an advocacy framework in groups. Theory and case studies from a wide range of advocates will inform how your group designs and tailors your topic specific advocacy program. On completion of this course, participants will have gained the skills necessary to advocate for individuals and groups within your community and globally using proven methods affecting change and can be used as part of the IUHPE health promotion accreditation program.

Register here.