World Vision Builds Staff Capacity for Greater Impact in New Campaign
By Francis Npong, Communications Officer
As World Vision prepares to launch a new global campaign focused on hunger, food, and nutrition, dubbed "Enough," key advocacy, communications, and safeguarding staff attended a weeklong capacity training on evidence-based advocacy, communications, and safeguarding practises.
The training held in Accra, Ghana, brought together participants from nine operational country offices, namely, Senegal, Niger, Ghana, Burkina Faso, Mali, Mauritania, Sierra Leone, the Central African Republic (CAR), and Chad. It was aimed at strengthening staff capacity for greater influence and impact.
"To achieve sustainable child welfare, we need to collaborate and partner with relevant stakeholders. This will enable World Vision to constructively engage and influence policy changes to benefit the most vulnerable children in West Africa", said Stella Nkrumah-Abababio, Regional Advocacy, Campaigns, and Safeguarding Advisor of World Vision.
The new campaign was necessary because of widespread hunger, food, nutrition, and insecurity issues around the world, and in West Africa. Aside hunger, nutrition and security issues, there is still Female Genital Mutilation (FGM), and enrolment of children into armed groups. These issues will not be forgotten and will continue to be addressed, she added.
According to her, to effectively persuade decision-makers at the local and national levels to take action require effective collaboration between advocacy and communications units, hence this training.
"The new campaign offers the sub region a great opportunity. Food security is at the heart of development of this continent and a priority for Africa Union. Therefore, the new campaign will contribute to this agenda", said Carla Denizard, Regional Leader of World Vision.
As West Africa's population grows, efforts are needed to reach children with food and nutrition, while advocating for the creation of an enabling environment in which they can thrive. These skills are relevant to inspire changes and build a safer and more child-friendly environment.
World Vision will continue to work closely with governments, local partners, and relevant stakeholders to undertake a range of child-welfare-focused initiatives and programmes to reduce children's vulnerabilities.
Our focus is on strengthening governments, communities, and local stakeholders to ensure no child is left behind. We also advocate for increased investment in child protection", he added. The new campaign also focuses on collaboration and partnerships.