Fundamentals of Advocacy Module

Successful advocacy is often the catalyst for making positive change happen.
How is advocacy best done to help achieve a better way forward?
What approaches and methods are needed to be an effective advocate?

The Fundamentals of Advocacy Module will lay out what you need to know along with the power dynamics that are inherent within advocacy frameworks, and help you to build the skills that are needed to be an impactful advocate.

The Fundamentals of Advocacy Module includes several components and materials such as required readings, case study, supplementary readings, and Workshop training, The Workshop component is conducted by a global leader and expert trainer who has a deep level of expertise in advocacy and a vast array of practical experience. The Workshop training enables participants to acquire a sound understanding of advocacy, including the proven principles that can elevate the ability to befittingly raise awareness about issues of concern, and seek suitable solutions to resolve issues. You will learn how to identify and
connect with those who have the power and leverage to initiate and implement needed improvements.

Armed with the new knowledge and proven techniques that will be gained from this Module, you will be able to transform issues into actions and influence positive change.

Demonstrate your commitment to learn and apply the skills of effective advocacy to your role and convey this to debtors, consumers, regulators, your peers, and the industry through enrolling in the Fundamentals of Advocacy Module. Upon successful completion, you will receive a Qualification Certificate in Fundamentals of Advocacy.

Cost to Enroll in the Fundamentals of Advocacy Module:

Regular Price $899 + tax
CDA Members $699 + tax

Information About the Workshop Component:

Fundamentals of Advocacy

In this virtual Workshop, helping professionals will learn how thinking strategically about advocacy will enable them to give Canadian debtors a greater voice and influence changes in the laws, policies and programs which have a direct impact on their lives.

Over the course of four 3-hour live sessions, participants will deepen their understanding of key concepts in advocacy and influencing change such as duty-bearers and rights-holders, power, privilege, and social justice.

Participants will develop critical thinking skills using a case study and applying analytical tools to define the problem situation, identify what needs to change and who has the power to make the change happen.

Through the workshop sessions, participants will gain skills in developing education and persuasion strategies to influence change including creating effective arguments, lobbying decision-makers, and dealing with opposition and pushback.

Assessment will be based on a reflective learning essay that is formulated from a reflective journal that is completed by participants after each session. The reflective learning essay is submitted after the end of the Workshop. Questions will be provided to help guide the reflection of participants.

Course Trainer:

Olga Gladkikh is an Advocacy and Citizen Engagement specialist with more than 30 years of diversified experience as an adult educator and communications practitioner with the Coady International Institute in Nova Scotia. This includes overseas consultancies with local, national, and international NGOs in Asia (Nepal, India, Bangladesh, and Philippines), Africa (Ghana, Kenya, Tanzania, Ethiopia, Zambia, and Egypt), South Pacific (Fiji, Tonga, Vanuatu, and New Caledonia), Caribbean (St. Lucia, Antigua, Barbados), Europe (Ukraine, Moldova), as well the US and Canada.

Olga is currently a co-creator with People Development Ltd (PDLTD), a Canadian consulting firm specializing in people-centered, customized program design, process facilitation, lifelong learning and community, organizational and social change initiatives in countries around the world.

PDLTD’s network of co-creators, skilled as educators, action researchers, consultants, facilitators, designers and writers, work with others to maintain their control and ownership over processes of learning and change to strengthen their capacity to use the best of who they are to give their best to the world.

The main focus of Olga’s work is to help citizens and their organizations strengthen their capacity to participate actively in the decisions that affect their lives. Areas of specialization include designing and facilitating programs in Advocacy and Citizen Engagement, Co-operative Inquiry and Storytelling, Communication for Social Change, Strategies of Change, Development Leadership, Promoting Accountable Democracies, Gender and Power Analysis, and Social Accountability Tools and Processes for Transparency. She also conducts skill building workshops in areas such as transformative adult education, collaborative facilitation, engaging mass media and presentation skills.

Olga holds a MA in Journalism and a BA (Honours) in Psychology, both from the University of Western Ontario, and has completed course work and research towards a PhD (ABD) in Adult Education from the University of Nottingham in the UK.

Workshop Dates and Time:

Dates:

Four on-line sessions of 3 hours duration each, once a week on Tuesdays, over a period of four consecutive weeks:

Workshop Session 1 – Date to be announced
Workshop Session 2 – Date to be announced
Workshop Session 3 – Date to be announced
Workshop Session 4 – Date to be announced

Time:

Starting at Noon and finishing at 3:00 pm EST

Highlights of Fundamentals of Advocacy Module Learning:

Deepen understanding of key concepts in advocacy and influencing change such as duty-bearers and rights-holders, power, privilege, and social justice.

Develop critical thinking skills using a case study and applying analytical tools to define the problem situation, identify what needs to change and who has the power to make the change happen.

Gain skills in developing education and persuasion strategies to influence change including creating effective arguments, lobbying decision-makers, and dealing with opposition and pushback.

By enrolling in the Fundamentals of Advocacy Module, you are also on your path towards achieving your Certified Debtor Advocate professional designation. Attaining the Fundamentals of Advocacy Certificate is one of the five mandatory elements of expertise required to earn the Certified Debtor Advocate credential that is bestowed to qualified individuals by the Canadian Debtors Association.