CIDA & the Canadian Crossroads partnership with Ghanaian Organizations yields tremendous results
The course is designed to strengthen the capacity of civil society actors and others who deal with issues of power, exclusion, inequity and inequality to plan and implement effective advocacy and citizen initiatives.
The overarching objective of the three-week course is to build on experiences and literature in the areas of advocacy, communication, behaviour and social change. It also provides participants interested in a rights-based approach t advocacy with a strategic framework to analyze past and to plan for the future advocacy initiatives as well as to build skills in the key aspects o the process.
Ms Olga Gladkikh, Facilitator of the course, who has also been at Coady for about 24 years says the course aims at enhancing participants' knowledge and skills in the use of strategic planning to create more effective advocacy and networking initiatives. She added that the course aims among others to develop participants' skills in monitoring and evaluating the impact of their own advocacy initiatives, influence public and mobilise public opinion in support of social, economic and political change.
According to the Manager for Education Programme at the Coady Institute, Mr David Fletcher, ever since the Institute opened its doors to educate leaders globally over 50 years ago, more than 5000 development leaders from over 130 countries have participated in the Institute's campus-based programs. He stated that the Coady Institute as a learning organisation is dedicated to the identification, development and dissemination of knowledge on effective community development practice. Undoubtedly, the Coady Institute remains at the forefront of innovation in the field of community-driven development by adapting and evolving to meet the changing needs of development practitioners as indicated by its vision, Igniting Leadership. Other Certificate Programmes on now include Community Based Natural Resource Management, Livelihoods and Markets, as well as Learning organization and Change.
It is exciting to note that historically, the 2011 Certificate participants are the largest group of 70. Additionally, it is the same year that has the largest number of Ghanaian participants. Is this coincidental or perhaps a strong indication that Ghana is about to experience transformational change that puts her on the cutting edge of positive social economic and political change?
By Mercy Catherine Adjabeng
WiLDAF Ghana & Coady Participant