International and Humanitarian Affairs

Short course Humanitarian Advocacy: From Bearing Witness to Activism 2025

This Short Course provides participants with two main competencies related to advocacy in the humanitarian sector: 1) Critical analysis of the dynamics surrounding operational advocacy for humanitarian responses, and 2) The methodology required for an advocacy plan.
Online registration

Information

Period

26 May 2025 - 6 June 2025
2 ECTS credits
50 Distance teaching hours
Around 50 hours of work for the two weeks, including: Approximately 25 hours of face-to-face teaching including reflexive practice on real situations faced by participants, panel with experts, and role-plays. All live sessions are in group and mandatory - Usually in early afternoon, Central European Time Approximately 25 hours of self-paced study time including readings, audio-visual presentations, videos.

Language

English

Format

Distance learning

Contact

Geneva Centre of Humanitarian Studies
+41 (0)22 379 56 50
humanitarianstudies(at)unige.ch
website

Location

Genève

Registration

Registration deadline

4 May 2025

Fees:

Total fees: CHF 1’700.-

Deposit: (upon acceptance of admission): CHF 400.-

There is no available scholarship for this programme.

Contribution to the SDGs

Goal 1: End poverty in all its forms everywhere Goal 2: End hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition and promote sustainable agriculture Goal 3: Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages Goal 4: Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all Goal 5: Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls Goal 10: Reduce inequality within and among countries Goal 11: Make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable Goal 13: Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts Goal 16: Promote peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development Goal 17: Strengthen the means of implementation and revitalize the Global Partnership for Sustainable Development

Objectives

At the end of the course, you will be able to:

  • Critically discuss the concept and dynamics of advocacy within the humanitarian sector
  • Explain what are the main components of an advocacy plan
  • Analyse an advocacy context and decide on the most appropriate modes of action

Audience

Professional in the humanitarian, development or social sector looking to develop their competencies in humanitarian advocacy
Professional from other sectors (journalism, marketing, PR, policymaking, philanthropy) who wishes to increase their understanding of humanitarian advocacy
Graduate student 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 of advocacy
  • Specificities of humanitarian advocacies
  • Advocacy contexts
  • Advocacy plan
  • Advocacy modes of action

Director(s)

Prof. Karl BLANCHET, Geneva Centre of Humanitarian Studies a joint Centre of the University of Geneva and the Graduate Institute of International and Development Studies (IHEID), Geneva

Coordinator(s)

Claire BARTHELEMY, Geneva Centre of Humanitarian Studies
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.

Admission criteria

  • a university qualification (bachelor’s degree or equivalent)
  • at least three years of relevant professional experience
  • excellent command of English
  • motivation working in the humanitarian sector

More information about the admission process is available on our application page.

Application File

  • Copy of identity document or passport
  • Passport photo (.jpg format)
  • Curriculum vitae
  • Cover letter (explaining what is the reason why you apply for this course and how will the acquired skills help you in your career)
  • Copy of the highest educational qualification obtained
  • Copy of work certificate or official document of the current job position
  • Proof of English language level
  • Employer's funding agreement, if applicable
  • Employer's letter of support (recommended)
  • Scholarship application form (if applicable). Please refer to humanitarianstudies.ch/application.

More information about the application process is available on our application page.

Number of participants

The number of participants is adapted to the chosen pedagogy.

Contribution to the SDGs

Goal 1: End poverty in all its forms everywhere Goal 2: End hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition and promote sustainable agriculture Goal 3: Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages Goal 4: Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all Goal 5: Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls Goal 10: Reduce inequality within and among countries Goal 11: Make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable Goal 13: Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts Goal 16: Promote peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development Goal 17: Strengthen the means of implementation and revitalize the Global Partnership for Sustainable Development