EXECUTIVE CERTIFICATE- ADVOCACY IN INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS (THE GRADUATE INSTITUTE, GENEVA, SWITZERLAND)

StrategThe Executive Certificate-Advocacy in International Affairs is designed as a multi-stakeholder, peer-to-peer learning experience that invites diverse participation from non-governmental and international organisations, international companies, unions and associations, national government agencies and diplomatic missions. It targets any professional who currently works or those who aspire to work in advocacy in a global context. It can especially benefit those with legal, communications, public sector and non-profit leadership background, as well as those private companies, including those who oversee communications, public affairs or sustainability initiatives. 

Key Features

• Part-time degree programme: 2 face-to-face modules of 9 days each in Geneva, accessible to mid-career professionals worldwide.
• Well-established programme: 5th edition in 2016. Career opportunities for alumni in a wide range of positions, from NGOs to international organisations and the private sector
• Blend of in-depth analysis of global issues with applied practice (methodologies and leadership skills), interactive, team-oriented learning.
• International faculty and instructors with extensive global experience.
• High-level professional training on best practices, designed and delivered in partnership with LEIDAR, a global strategic communications consultancy.
• Earns a Cerrificate of Advanced Studies (CAS) in the Swiss Higher Education System and alumni status at the Graduate Institute.

Content

Module 1: Changing realities in an inter-connected world

Context, Actors and Strategy Development

• The nature and limits of advocacy: understanding the new global system and its imperatives
• Strategic framework for advocacy in international affairs and policy
• Advocacy and traditional lobbying in IOs, the EU and the UN system
• Emerging advocacy platforms, channels and actors
• 2 day study trip to Brussels on policy making and public affairs.

Module 2: Building and executing successful advocacy campaigns

Tools and Communication Startregies

• Developing powerful messaging and stories for impact
• Managing social media channels
• Defensive advocacy in crisis situations
• Acquiring media relations skills
• Strategic Advocacy- planning and design
• Campaign structures and implementation pha
• ses
• Monotoring and measuring techniques
• Global agenda-setting Thought Leadership programmes
• Group knowledge: apply knowledge on a concrete case situation

To successfully complete the programme, participants must fulfil the following conditions:

• Attend a minimum of 80% of the programme sessions
• Pass each module assessment successfully (each module is evaluated separately and contribute to learning through active participation.

Module Assessments

Each module ends with an assignment. Assessments are designed to advance each individual's reflection and understanding of the related course materials, with a perspective of real-world applications. These are applied projects in professional-style format. The Certificate does not require formal, 'thesis-style' research, and there are no examinations during the course. However, participants will have to submit one individual paper, and collaboarte to one group project assignment. Participants comment that this group project is one of the signature experiences of the programme. The programme is designed for working professionals, and the work load is compatible with a full time work.

Certificate Award

Sucessful participants receive the Executive Certificate in Advocacy in International Affairs from the Gradute Institute of International and Development Studies. Diplomas are awarded at an annual ceremony in the Fall term in a joint celebration with graduates from other Executive Education programmes.

The Executive Certificate is an internationally-recognised Certificate of Advanced Studies (CAS) equivalent to 15 ECTS (European credits standards). In the Swiss system, the CAS is a professional-track degree programme that can be pursued after a bachelor, master or PhD. It is not equivalent to a full-time masters, and therefore is not applicable towards a PhD. 

The Graduate Institute carries accreditation from the Swiss government (OAQ) as a degree granting institution with 'university-status' in Switzerland. Courses are quality certified by the Swiss Certification Label, eduQua.

Tuition Fees for 2016: CHF 9,600 (€ 8,775) including all classroom instruction and programme support, course materials, use of Graduate Institute facilities at Villa Barton (Executive Education) and Maison de la Paix (main campus) library, institute email ID and online web portal access. Travels and accommodation in Geneva and Brussels (for the 2-days study trip) are excluded.