This course is designed to help people use the internet for advocacy. It will be of particular interest to non-governmental organisations and grassroots groups, trainers, activists, organisers and researchers working in the field of human rights and advocacy.
The course is one of an integrated collection of courses developed by Fahamu in conjunction with the University of Oxford.
The objective of the course is to promote the effective use of the internet for advocacy, through the development of online research skills and the creation of effective online resources. In addition, the course will help participants critique existing internet research and advocacy materials.
The course includes practical exercises and assignments that help participants learn new skills and develop material they can use in their advocacy work.
Course content
1 Introducing online research
- Using the internet
- Sources of information
- Links pages and portals
- The 'Find' function
- Using site research tools
- Using email
- Planning your research.
2 Searching the web
- Introducing search engines
- Using search engines
- Making sense of information
- Saving and organising results
- Web searches: planning, preparation and execution.
3 Optimising web research
- Advanced web search techniques
- Online research resources
- Additional research tools.
4 Planning for advocacy
- Advocacy for positive change
- Your organisation and advocacy
- Role of the internet
- Planning and evaluation on the internet.
5 Advocacy toolkit
- Building online communities
- Tools for online communities
- Press releases and action alerts
- Mailing lists
- Online petitions and direct letters
- Websites.
6 Advanced internet tools
- Communication tools
- Website tools
- Hacktivism and safety online.
By the end of the course
Participants will be able to:
- Identify the target groups of an advocacy campaign
- List the desired outcomes of an advocacy campaign
- Assess the impact of an advocacy campaign
- Plan an advocacy campaign using both online and offline resources.
- Draft basic press releases and action alerts
- Create an online petition
- Create a basic web resource integrating several online tools
- Critically analyse and assess both the strengths and weaknesses of an assigned internet research and advocacy case study.
Course benefits
Every participant will be provided with course materials including a course CDROM, which contains a comprehensive library of all relevant declarations, conventions and documents, as well as useful website addresses. A resources section on the CDROM provides a glossary of frequently used terms, a list of recommended books, copies of documents, links to relevant websites and other useful resources.
Every participant who successfully completes a course will be awarded a certificate from the University of Oxford and Fahamu.
Audience
This course will be of particular interest to non-governmental organisations and grassroots groups, trainers, activists, organisers, and researchers working in the field of advocacy.
Course length
Residential course: 1 week
Distance learning course (1–2 hours/day): 8 weeks
Tuition fee
Contact:
How to apply
Information on how to apply for a Fahamu course .
Buy CDROM
You may also purchase CDROMs of our courses from www.fahamubooks.org .