Healthlink Worldwide

Beyond Asia - Ethiopia workshop, August 2005

Held in Nazareth, Ethiopia from 22-26 August 2005 the CFA workshop was attended by 30 participants from 22 organisations from seven countries in Africa. The workshop was organised by Hiwot HIV/AIDS Prevention, Control and Support Organisation (HAPCSO) in Ethiopia and facilitated by Healthlink Worldwide UK.

The aim of the workshop was to strengthen the capacity of participants to advocate more effectively, enabling participants to strengthen their strategic approach to advocacy.

The workshop was based on Healthlink Worldwide and partners’ experience of facilitating similar CFA workshops in Asia. The workshops use a participatory methodology and develop participants learning skills. Based on the principles of CFA the workshop was part of Healthlink Worldwide’s project, “Enhancing HIV communications in Africa” which seeks to contribute to the global effort to bring the HIV and AIDS pandemic under control.

What we did
The workshop began with participants sharing their experiences of using advocacy, in order to place the workshop within the context of their work situations. It then examined:

• approaches to adult learning
• participants’ definitions of “communication” and “advocacy”
• challenges of HIV communication and advocacy
• planning advocacy activities
• analysis of communication materials
• carrying out participatory research with beneficiaries
• development of advocacy materials

Participants were able to use the skills they developed during the workshop when they carried out field research in the local community. From the analysis of the field data, working groups developed messages and materials to support a planned advocacy activity. These included a mock radio programme, a press release, a poster and a speech at a launching ceremony being attended by a key government official.

A final interactive networking session provided an opportunity for participants to develop advocacy action plans and to talk to each other about opportunities for future joint advocacy activities.

Reflection
The evaluation of the workshop demonstrated that it had met the needs of the participants. Comments included:

“What I have learned in 3 weeks in another course I was not able to put into practice. What I have learnt at this workshop however, I cannot wait to go back and put it into practice”.

“I have moved from one stage to another. I have gained new experience and skills which have opened doors in the field of advocacy for me”

“Most memorable workshop I have ever attended”

The anticipated benefit of the CFA workshop to participants when they return to their workplace was emphasized on many occasions. Participants left the workshop committed to further develop their CFA work and with the aim of establishing a CFA Africa network.