Text reads 'Make Change Happens Courses'. Illustration of a group of 4 protestors. One is holding and speaking into a loudhailer.

How to Make Change Happen: Free, Online Course

By

Introduction

Would you like to know how to make change happen but don’t where to start? Here is a free, online course by Oxfam International to help you learn what drives positive social change in your role as a changemaker.

About the Course

If we want to make lasting social and political change, we must understand power dynamics, systems and influencing strategies that can shift the status quo.

This course will help you understand the context of the issues you’re passionate about and your existing sources of power and influence.

You’ll be guided by examples of successful international movements and community action. You’ll finish this course with the skills you need to spot and act upon opportunities, and contribute to the change you want to see in your community and the world.

Duration

This course takes approximately 12 hours. You can also complete units individually if you would like to upskill in one particular area. e.g. Tactics

screenshot of a page from an oxfam online course. Title reads ' Activity 7.1: Analysing campaign strategy and tactics'. A young person is leaning over a big piece of paper writing words with a texta.

Topics

  • Unit 1: Change 
    What kind of change we are talking about, understanding change, changemakers and their stories.
  • Unit 2: Context
    Understanding the context of change, thinking about conflict and focusing on the change you would like to see.
  • Unit 3: Power
    Understanding power and how it shapes changemaking, applying tools analysing power, and thinking about systems.
  • Unit 4: Partners
    The power of collective action, working in partnership with others and the qualities of a changemaker.
  • Unit 5: Influencing
    Spheres of influence, and mapping where power and influence lie.
  • Unit 6: Messaging
    Developing strong stories for change, understanding narratives and developing messages.
  • Unit 7: Tactics
    Taking action to make change happen, strategy and tactics, developing your action plan, and the steps to implement your plan.
  • Unit 8: Challenges
    Tackling challenges and taking your next steps, reflecting on change, overcoming challenges, and staying inspired and focused.

Outcomes

By the end of this course, you should be able to:

  • Explain key ideas about systems, power and how change happens
  • Identify key openings and opportunities to bring about change
  • Apply and understand a broad range of ways to bring about change
  • Contribute, connect and collaborate with other change makers around the globe
  • Develop and increase confidence to organise and lead others to take action for social justice
  • Engage in a personal change action.

Access Course

Make Change Happen Course, Oxfam

One can access the course in the following formats:

  • Online
  • Ebook
  • PDF
  • Word

Other Languages

This course is also available to do in other languages.

Explore Further

Share Resource

Share on LinkedIn

Topics:

Tags:

Format:

Language:


image Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike CC BY-NC-SA

Contact a Commons librarian if you would like to connect with the author

Topics