Multimedia course on communications for social change for young leaders.
Summary:
As part of UNICEF and EU joint project we developed an online course on communications for social change to support the meaningful engagement of young people in decision-making processes. The main purpose of the online course is to increase civic engagement among young people through providing them with communications tools to promote their own initiatives and projects. Initially the online course was developed in Ukrainian language targeting the young people from the conflict- affected eastern Ukraine. After its success the course was tailored and translated to Russian and English to provide access of wider audiences around the world. The course was developed by the experienced communications specialists and trainers to improve the skills and knowledge of young people in communication for social change and development of communications campaigns as part of joint UNICEF and EU project. We have shared practical ideas and case studies aiming at inspiring young people to dare to get out with their ideas, advocate for change and get support. The course contains three short video tutorials and an interactive handbook on communications for social change for young leaders. The online course focuses on effective advocacy and social change communication, use of new media and creative tools for effective communication. The intended outcomes of the showcase is to share our positive findings of how the online course have become not only an effective learning tool, but also a nudge for promoting the communications for social change and inspiring creative thinking for young activists.
Background/Objectives:
The meaningful engagement of young people in decision-making processes is important in shaping their own future and that of their communities. The purpose of the online course is to increase civic engagement among young people through providing them with communications tools to promote their own initiatives. It is critical to enable young people to communicate issues identified of their concern, as well as to develop and implement strategic advocacy and social change interventions. The course is an example of effective interactive methods of education of young people that facilitates their leadership, campaigning and responsible use of digital tools.
Results/Lessons Learned:
The course improves the skills and knowledge of young people in communication for social change and development of communications campaigns. The learning materials includes practical ideas and case studies aiming at inspiring young people to dare to get out with their ideas, advocate for change and get support. The course format delivers practical, up-to-the-minute learning that can be applied straight away. On completion of the course, participants will be able to receive an online certificate after answering some test questions. Initially the online course was developed in Ukrainian language targeting the young people from the conflict-affected eastern Ukraine. After its success the course was tailored and translated to Russian and English to provide access of wider audiences around the world. Any organization can use the course materials to provide to support more effective social change and advocacy campaigns.
Discussion/Implications for the Field:
The intended outcome of the showcase is to share our positive findings of how the online courses have become not only an effective learning tool, but also a nudge for promoting the communications for social change and inspiring creative thinking of young people. The intervention addresses the challenge of getting young people civically engaged and how to overcome their fears. The course also opens the discussion on responsible use of social media by young people and establish a case where young people are encouraged to sue the blogging for social cause.
Abstract submitted by:
Anastasiya Nurzhynska - UNICEF
As part of UNICEF and EU joint project we developed an online course on communications for social change to support the meaningful engagement of young people in decision-making processes. The main purpose of the online course is to increase civic engagement among young people through providing them with communications tools to promote their own initiatives and projects. Initially the online course was developed in Ukrainian language targeting the young people from the conflict- affected eastern Ukraine. After its success the course was tailored and translated to Russian and English to provide access of wider audiences around the world. The course was developed by the experienced communications specialists and trainers to improve the skills and knowledge of young people in communication for social change and development of communications campaigns as part of joint UNICEF and EU project. We have shared practical ideas and case studies aiming at inspiring young people to dare to get out with their ideas, advocate for change and get support. The course contains three short video tutorials and an interactive handbook on communications for social change for young leaders. The online course focuses on effective advocacy and social change communication, use of new media and creative tools for effective communication. The intended outcomes of the showcase is to share our positive findings of how the online course have become not only an effective learning tool, but also a nudge for promoting the communications for social change and inspiring creative thinking for young activists.
Background/Objectives:
The meaningful engagement of young people in decision-making processes is important in shaping their own future and that of their communities. The purpose of the online course is to increase civic engagement among young people through providing them with communications tools to promote their own initiatives. It is critical to enable young people to communicate issues identified of their concern, as well as to develop and implement strategic advocacy and social change interventions. The course is an example of effective interactive methods of education of young people that facilitates their leadership, campaigning and responsible use of digital tools.
Results/Lessons Learned:
The course improves the skills and knowledge of young people in communication for social change and development of communications campaigns. The learning materials includes practical ideas and case studies aiming at inspiring young people to dare to get out with their ideas, advocate for change and get support. The course format delivers practical, up-to-the-minute learning that can be applied straight away. On completion of the course, participants will be able to receive an online certificate after answering some test questions. Initially the online course was developed in Ukrainian language targeting the young people from the conflict-affected eastern Ukraine. After its success the course was tailored and translated to Russian and English to provide access of wider audiences around the world. Any organization can use the course materials to provide to support more effective social change and advocacy campaigns.
Discussion/Implications for the Field:
The intended outcome of the showcase is to share our positive findings of how the online courses have become not only an effective learning tool, but also a nudge for promoting the communications for social change and inspiring creative thinking of young people. The intervention addresses the challenge of getting young people civically engaged and how to overcome their fears. The course also opens the discussion on responsible use of social media by young people and establish a case where young people are encouraged to sue the blogging for social cause.
Abstract submitted by:
Anastasiya Nurzhynska - UNICEF
Source
Approved abstract for the postponed 2020 SBCC Summit in Marrakech, Morocco. Provided by the International Steering Committee for the Summit. Image credit: #Youth4Change Camp