The inaugural two-day course in Cancer Advocacy Training in South Australia was held on 13-14 March 2009, in a collaboration between the Cancer Council SA and Cancer Voices SA.  The course was adapted from similar training conducted in New South Wales (NSW) for several years, with expert facilitation by Carolyn Grenville from the Public Interest Advocacy Centre.  (Note: PIAC is a Registered Training Organisation under the Australian Quality Training Framework.)

The Advocacy Training covered

• Consumer advocacy and representation
• Understanding cancer policy; government and other decision-making processes
• Understanding the health system, state and federal roles
• Finding and using information
• Effective advocacy campaigns: lobbying, negotiating, media.

There was an interesting and interactive mixture of presentations and group work.

'Graduates' receive a Cancer Voices SA polo shirt on completion of the course.

Cancer Voices SA wish to extend special thanks to Dr Vikki Knott from Cancer Council SA for much hard work coordinating, helping prepare and adapt training material, excellent support throughout the development and training days and also presenting the ‘Finding and using information’ session. 

The next Cancer Advocacy Training is yet to be determined please email [email protected] to register your interest.

Some snapshots from the course in March 09.