Call for applications - 2x training opportunities: Media engagement and Video advocacy

The Rights Reporter Foundation (Drugreporter) organises two free trainings on Media engagement and Video advocacy. You can apply for both or to each one individually. The deadline for applications is 22 November 2021. For more information, read on!

Media training

Working with the media is a must for NGOs in the drugs field. However, very few activists and professionals have the necessary communication skills to do it effectively. With the help of this practical capacity building training, participants will be able to use the traditional methods of communicating with the print and broadcast media, such as writing press releases, organising press conferences, giving television interviews. The first part of the training gives an introduction to the basics of media communication from the perspective of civil society activists/professionals. It refutes some common myths and false preconceptions about the media, outlines the structure, length and content of press releases and press conferences, and explains to participants how to organise communication within an organisation. Useful tips are given about television interviews, trainers and students discuss ethical issues and methods to evaluate communication. In the second, more practical part of the workshop participants can practice what they have learnt. They break up into smaller groups which have to build a media campaign concept, write a press release and give test TV interviews. In the third, plenary part of the workshop we analyse the campaign plans, press releases and TV interviews together and discuss lessons learned.

Who are we looking for?

The RRF is ready to train 15 drug policy and harm reduction activists from around the world, who would like to enhance their capacity for media engagement. The applicant must work in the field of harm reduction and drug policy reform advocacy, or be closely affiliated with such an organisation.

Fill out this online application form by November 22, 2021 for the media training.

Video advocacy training

Video as a tool for change is becoming more and more popular among activists. Since 2007, the video advocacy team of the Rights Reporter Foundation has been producing online advocacy videos that translate the often-complicated issues of human rights, drug policy reform, and harm reduction into easily understandable and interesting video pieces. These videos not only inform, but motivate and mobilise for direct action for change.

It is our strategic goal to train and enable activists to effectively communicate in the language of video, to influence people’s thinking and public policies, and to build vibrant and tolerant communities that value human rights. Since 2009, we have held video advocacy training for more than a hundred activists around the world. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, we have decided to hold our next training online.

Who are we looking for?

The RRF is ready to train 15 activists from around the world, who would like to use video in their harm reduction and drug policy reform advocacy work. The applicant must work in the field of harm reduction and drug policy reform advocacy, or be closely affiliated with such an organisation, and the person applying must meet the following requirements:

• Understanding of harm reduction/drug policy reform and its human rights dimensions;
• Time/capacity to produce videos (preferably not executives or senior staff members who have no time/capacity to make movies);
• Fluency in English;
• Basic computer and Internet skills;
• Good communication skills (ability to make reports, interviews);
• Good working relationship with harm reduction/drug policy organisations from the country;
• Commitment to make videos about drug policy/harm reduction in the longer term.
• Participants should also have some sort of video recording device that they will use at the training. It can be a photo or video camera or even a smartphone.

Fill out this online application form by November 22, 2021 for the video advocacy training.

The training is being offered free of charge for participants, thanks to the support of the “Harm Reduction Consortium”, financed by the Robert Carr Fund for civil society networks. This training is organised by the Rights Reporter Foundation (RFF), in close cooperation with the International Drug Policy Consortium (IDPC).