2011 Malaria Vaccine Advocacy Fellowship
June 27–July 1, 2011 Nairobi, Kenya
2011 fellowship brings together researchers and scientists
The 2011 Malaria Vaccine Advocacy Fellowship brought together 17 scientists and researchers from eight mainly eastern and western African countries over the course of the week. Run by MVI in collaboration with Burness Communications, the program aims to bridge the worlds of malaria vaccine science and policymaking at national, regional, and international levels.
Fellows attend workshop
This year’s program included a three-day workshop for nine new fellows, who discussed and practiced the skills necessary to influence policy decisions, to engage the media, to communicate their research beyond technical circles, and to advocate for funding. The program also included a refresher day for eight returning fellows and a joint advocacy day that provided an opportunity for all 17 fellows to network. The agenda included the following:
- Message development and media training.
- Roundtable discussions with leading international and local journalists.
- Practice in delivering messages in a variety of formats, including press conferences and on-camera interviews.
- Discussions with decision-makers on ways to affect the policy process.
- Practice in delivering effective, memorable presentations.
- Planning for follow-up advocacy efforts.
Nine new advocacy fellows were later joined by former fellows. Standing left to right are Daniel Amoako-Sakyi (Ghana), Noah Nyende (Uganda), Edith Annan (Ghana), Charles Wanga (Tanzania), Lucas Tina Otieno (Kenya), Mahamadou Aly Thera (Mali), and Alassane Dicko (Mali). Seated are Elizabeth Juma (Kenya) and Ibrahim Bello Nigeria). |
Fellows network
The participants, who came from Cameroon, Ghana, Kenya, Malawi, Mali, Nigeria, Tanzania, and Uganda, mapped out ways of solidifying a network of African malaria vaccine science advocates, identified tools for sharing information and experiences, and began to identify opportunities for communicating progress related to malaria vaccine development.
A number of guest speakers provided food for thought, including Dr. Willis Akhwale, the Head of the Department of Disease Prevention and Control in the Kenyan Ministry of Public Health and Sanitation, Rosemarie Muganda-Onyando, the Deputy Country Director of the PATH Kenya office, and a panel of local and international journalists. Supported by the ExxonMobil Malaria Initiative, the program has trained more than 50 scientist advocates since its 2006 pilot.
Fellows develop advocacy plans
Following the workshop, the fellows take part in a six-month follow-up plan that is designed to put the knowledge and tools acquired during the workshop to immediate use. Each fellow typically develops at least one achievable advocacy goal and a realistic work plan for achieving that goal. Fellows have access to technical support in implementing their advocacy plans.
