Communications course for NGOs: Partnership with the media
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25-26 May, 2003
Kaduna, Nigeria

TRAINING ANNOUNCEMENT

Partnership with the media: A strategic communications course for
NGOs in Northern Nigeria

The Media Resource and Advocacy Centre (MRAC), Lagos Nigeria, an-
nounces the final in its series of regional strategic communications
training course aimed at equipping NGO activists with skills in
health promotion, advocacy and general publicity for development pro-
grams and projects. The workshop, with support from the Ford Founda-
tion, is part of our continuing education series and is based on
findings from a study on Reproductive Health Reporting in the Nige-
rian Media 1986 to 1997. Two workshops had been held successfully in
Lagos (West) and Enugu (East) drawing 34 participants from all over
Nigeria and Zimbabwe.

FOR WHOM:

The training is specifically targeted at NGOs in Northern Nigeria and
working in the area of Population, Reproductive Health and Sexual
Rights. It would be of tremendous benefit to individuals handling me-
dia publicity and communication programs in non-profit organizations,
donor and development agencies' partner-organizations working in Ni-
geria. Topics to be covered include how to partner with the mass me-
dia to generate and sustain positive publicity, enhance fundraising,
build grassroots advocacy and support, influence public policy and
handle crisis situation, developing press release, fieldwork and
hands-on activity among others.

OUTCOME:

At the end of the workshop participants will be able to:
* Develop a strategic communication plan for their organization;
* Sustain media interest and coverage of their programs;
* Develop programs to handle media backlash and crisis in their area
of focus;
* Research media trends and case studies, and identify Northern Nige-
ria-based journalists covering issues related to their organiza-
tion's program;
* Develop high quality media materials, fact sheet, press release for
use by journalists;
* Utilize new media and technology for increased publicity;
* Navigate the Nigerian media industry, journalists and professional
media associations, for collaborative participation in advocacy and
program implementation;
* Use traditional media channels to promote programs and projects.

TO PARTICIPATE:

Write to the address below or send an e-mail with details of your or-
ganization's work, your work schedule and how you think the training
will benefit your organization. Selection closes on September 20,
2002. The training is non-residential with free lunch/coffee and
workshop materials. Participants are expected to bear cost of trans-
portation to and from the venue as well as arrange for their accommo-
dation, if necessary. To ensure maximum benefit the number of par-
ticipants will be limited to 16.

For more information contact:

Coordinator (ICT, Training & Fellowships)
Development Communications (Devcoms) Network
Media Resource and Advocacy Centre (MRAC)
40 Johnson Street, Off Bode Thomas Street
Surulere Lagos, Nigeria.
Tel: +234-1-774-8397 or +234-803-3053-713
mailto:[email protected] [2]