West African Advocacy Fellowship on Drug Policy Reform

The Open Society Global Drug Policy Program and the Open Society Initiative for West Africa invite applications for the 2014 West African Advocacy Fellowship Program on Drug Policy Reform. Funding is provided for up to six fellows to attend a two-week programme in October 2014 on drug policy reform. Fellows will be hosted by the drug policy organisation Release in London.

According to the organisers, "this program supports those working in sectors related to drug policy in order to improve their advocacy skills and to enhance their capacity in working with the media on drug policy. The fellowship seeks to add to a core group of existing high-profile drug policy activists in the West African region, including people not necessarily working full-time on drug-related issues."

Topics will include:

• Global overview of drug policy reform
• Overarching issues relevant to drug policy reform
• The international drug control system
• Overview of international human rights in the context of drug policy
• Drug policy developments in Africa
• Effective campaigning
• Media and public engagement

The objectives of the fellowship are for the participants to:

• "increase their knowledge of global drug policy reform issues on a region by region approach;
• increase their understanding of the international drug control system and conflicts with other United Nations priorities;
• have a greater awareness of the drug policy reform landscape and key figures within that movement;
• establish links with those working in drug policy, particularly in the UK;
• build and develop their communications skills, including for media interviews, press releases, press databases, public speaking;
• have an understanding of the tools for debate, so that they can confidently challenge anti-reform positions;
• improve their confidence as drug policy advocates both through participation in the program and through ongoing support from the host organization."

Click here for more information on the fellowship.