Overview
Objectives
At the end of the course, you will be able to:
- Critically discuss the concept of humanitarian advocacy;
- Understand the dynamics of advocacy within the humanitarian sector;
- Explain the main components of an advocacy plan;
- Analyse an advocacy context and decide on the most appropriate strategy.
Audience
Professionals in the humanitarian, development or social sector looking to develop their competences in humanitarian advocacy;
Professionals from other sectors (PR, policy makers, government representatives, grassroot groups, association representatives) who wish to increase their understanding of humanitarian advocacy;
Graduate students with relevant volunteer or intern experience, looking to undertake a postgraduate course to explore the specificities of advocacy in the humanitarian sector.
Professionals from other sectors (PR, policy makers, government representatives, grassroot groups, association representatives) who wish to increase their understanding of humanitarian advocacy;
Graduate students with relevant volunteer or intern experience, looking to undertake a postgraduate course to explore the specificities of advocacy in the humanitarian sector.
Programme
Structure of the course
- Concept and origin of advocacy
- Advocacy and neutrality
- Advocacy and access
- Advocacy and local communities
- Advocacy contexts and advocacy plan
- Designing an advocacy strategy
Registration
Registration deadline
26 April 2026
Fees:
- Full price: CHF 1’700
- Partner rate (MSF, ICRC): CHF 1’360 (20% discount)
- Special Rate: CHF 850. Available exclusively to nationals or staff from local/national NGOs, CBOs, government, INGOs, or IOs in low/middle-income countries (OECD DAC list) with salaries aligned to local living costs. Proof required.
- Application form for partial tuition waivers
- No scholarships are available
Admission criteria
- A Bachelor’s degree or equivalent from a Swiss or foreign university
- At least three years of relevant professional experience
- Excellent command of English*
- *Documents and language requirements for Executive Short Courses
Number of participants
The number of participants is adapted to the chosen pedagogy.
Application File
- CV (Resume)
- Cover letter (explaining what is the reason why you apply for this course and how will the acquired skills help you in your career)
- Employer’s funding agreement, if applicable
- Partial tuition fee waiver form, if applicable
- Highest educational qualification obtained
- Work certificate or official document of your current job position
- Proof of English language competence to be dated less than 2 years (see details below)
- Portrait photo (ID format)
- Scanned copy of the passport
More information about the application process is available on our admissions page.
Cancellation Policy
Please consult our cancellation policy.
Curriculum
Period
18 May 2026 - 29 May 2026
Credits
2 ECTS credits
Teaching hours
50 distance teaching hours
You want to know the building blocks of an advocacy strategy to achieve your humanitarian programme objectives? This short course will be of interest for you: Develop strategic skills to better analyze specific contexts, map stakeholders, and design effective advocacy strategies in support of operational humanitarian projects.
Pedagogical method
Using lectures, case studies and discussions with professionals in humanitarian advocacy, the general objective of the seminar is for participants to acquire the tools and skills necessary to develop an effective advocacy strategy in support to operational humanitarian projects.
Director(s)
Prof. Karl BLANCHET, Geneva Centre of Humanitarian Studies, University of Geneva
Coordinator(s)
Claire BARTHELEMY, Geneva Centre of Humanitarian Studies
Contribution to the Sustainable Development Goals
