Training on Humanitarian Advocacy and Communications

Module 1: Foundations of Humanitarian Advocacy

• Defining humanitarian advocacy: influencing decision-makers to protect civilians and enable assistance.

• Advocacy vs. public communications vs. diplomacy.

• Principles: impartial, evidence-based, and aligned with humanitarian principles.

• Case Study/Hands-on Exercise: Analyze a successful humanitarian advocacy campaign, identifying the strategy, messages, targets, and outcomes.

Module 2: Advocacy Strategy Development

• Setting advocacy objectives: specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound.

• Stakeholder mapping: decision-makers, influencers, allies, and opponents.

• Power analysis and influence pathways.

• Case Study/Hands-on Exercise: Develop an advocacy strategy for improving humanitarian access in a conflict-affected area, including objectives, targets, and tactics.

Module 3: Evidence-Based Messaging

• Using evidence from assessments, monitoring, and protection monitoring.

• Crafting clear, compelling, and actionable messages.

• Tailoring messages for different audiences: governments, UN, donors, armed groups, and public.

• Case Study/Hands-on Exercise: Develop three versions of an advocacy message on the same issue, tailored for a government minister, a UN agency head, and the general public.

Module 4: Engaging with Governments and Donors

• Advocacy with donor governments: funding, policy, and diplomatic support.

• Engaging with host governments on access and protection.

• Working with donor representatives and parliamentary groups.

• Case Study/Hands-on Exercise: Prepare a briefing for a meeting with a donor government representative to advocate for increased funding for a neglected humanitarian crisis.

Module 5: Engaging with the United Nations

• The UN humanitarian architecture: OCHA, UNHCR, UNICEF, WFP, and IASC.

• Advocacy for Security Council resolutions, humanitarian resolutions, and peacekeeping mandates.

• Engaging with UN leadership and humanitarian coordinators.

• Case Study/Hands-on Exercise: Draft an advocacy note to the Humanitarian Coordinator on a specific protection concern in a humanitarian response.

Module 6: Engaging with Armed Groups and Non-State Actors

• Advocacy with non-state armed groups for access and IHL compliance.

• Developing a humanitarian engagement framework.

• Managing risks and perception of engagement.

• Case Study/Hands-on Exercise: Develop an engagement and messaging strategy for an armed group controlling territory where humanitarian needs are acute.

Module 7: Media and Public Communications

• Media engagement: press releases, press briefings, op-eds, and interviews.

• Social media for humanitarian advocacy: opportunities and risks.

• Communicating with affected communities as part of advocacy.

• Case Study/Hands-on Exercise: Draft a press release on a humanitarian issue, including key messages, quotes, and media distribution strategy.

Module 8: Digital and Data-Driven Advocacy

• Using data visualization, maps, and infographics for advocacy.

• Digital campaigns and online mobilization.

• Ethical considerations: data privacy, security, and consent.

• Case Study/Hands-on Exercise: Create a data visualization (e.g., map, chart) to support an advocacy message on a humanitarian issue.

Module 9: Coordination and Joint Advocacy

• Advocacy coordination across NGOs, UN, and Red Cross/Red Crescent movement.

• Joint advocacy products: statements, reports, and campaigns.

• Balancing individual agency messaging with collective positions.

• Case Study/Hands-on Exercise: Simulate an advocacy coordination meeting to develop a joint statement on a humanitarian crisis, negotiating language and messaging.

Module 10: Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning in Advocacy

• Defining advocacy success: outcomes, influence, and policy change.

• Monitoring advocacy activities and tracking progress.

• Learning from failures and adapting strategies.

• Case Study/Hands-on Exercise: Develop an advocacy monitoring and evaluation framework for a campaign, including indicators for outputs, outcomes, and impact.