The Advocacy and Mobilization Program (AMP) is a capacity-building program for healthcare providers (HCPs) who wish to become effective planetary health advocates. Applications for Cohort 2 are open until June 30, 2023.

HCPs are among the most trusted voices in Canada. With the right skills and opportunities, HCPs have the potential to be powerful advocates and influence action on planetary health.

AMP aims to help build a growing network of planetary health advocates among HCPs by training participants on effective communications, media, and government relations skills, and by providing mobilization opportunities to get involved in campaigns.

AMP’s offerings include:

• A virtual conference (Sept 22-24, 2023) with several interactive workshops and peer relationship-building networking opportunities
• Monthly training sessions from September 2023 to February 2024
• Monthly skills practice sessions (optional)
• A federal lobby day and opportunities to meet with government officials in February 2024
• Peer support caucuses for Black, Indigenous, and francophone participants (optional)
• Access to CAPE’s campaigns mobilization network
• Ongoing opportunity and resource-sharing
• Ongoing mentorship and support

An application for accreditation with the CFPC and the Royal College is under way. This program would comprise 47 CME credits.

Program Outcomes

Participants who take part in AMP will: 

• Become effective communicators on issues such as climate and toxics
• Learn how to leverage media tools such as op-eds and interviews for advocacy
• Develop an understanding of government processes and lobbying government officials
• Build a network of like-minded peers
• Gain access to CAPE’s mobilization network which includes media and CAPE campaign advocacy opportunities

Program schedule and commitment

The mandatory training conference September 22-24, 2023 is 15.5 hours long. During the conference participants learn about CAPE, the foundations of planetary health, begin practicing storytelling for social change, and begin relationship-building with their peers. 

Monthly sessions take place on Saturdays from 8:00-11:00 PT / 11:00-14:00 ET to accommodate participants across time zones and schedules. There are 2 extra sessions in January to prepare for lobby day.

Please see the program schedule below. 

2023

September 22-24: Training conference

October 4: Optional practice session

October 14: Storytelling for social change part 2

October 28: Health communications for environmental action

November 8: Optional practice session

November 18: How to write an op-ed/LTE 

December 6: Optional practice session

December 9: How to give a good interview 

2024

January 10: Government relations: how does government work

January 20: Lobby day prep session

January 27: How to meet with your MP and mock lobby day 

February 5: Evening Briefing session

February 6: Lobby day

Feb 24: Wrap up

Who can apply 

Applications are open to all healthcare providers in what is currently Canada, as the program is rooted in a Canadian context. In the context of this program, an HCP is defined as someone who treats patients directly and is certified by a regulated college or board, or is a student/in training on this process, or is retired. 

Fees

Physician: $2500

Nurse, resident, allied healthcare provider: $1000

Student: $250

The full cost to run the program is about $6000 per participant for a cohort of 50 participants. We are able to subsidize this cost thanks to the generous support of our funders.

This fee includes: 

• Interactive, practical workshops led by experts in media relations and communications
• Training to increase awareness and work to dismantle dimensions of injustice in advocacy
• Mentorship and collaboration opportunities with professional campaigners and peers
• Strategic advice and preparation from government relations experts in advance of meeting directly with policymakers to advance policy action 
• Online learning portal with supplementary material, recorded sessions, and spaces to interact with peers virtually
• Simultaneous interpretation, translation, and accessibility supports for a fully bilingual (FR/EN) and accessible program
• Ongoing training opportunities after graduating the program through the alumni mobilization network 

We do not wish for cost to be a barrier to anyone’s participation. If you require a reduced fee, a payment plan, or any other financial accommodation please indicate this on your application and we will follow-up to make an arrangement. The need for financial accommodation will in no way impact your application—we encourage all who are interested to apply.

The fee is to be paid after we have accepted your application

How to apply

The second cohort of AMP will take place from September 2023 to February 2024 with onboarding through July and August. Applications for Cohort 2 are open until June 30, 2023. Click here to apply. 

Questions and support

If you have any questions or need any support, please do not hesitate to contact the Program Director, Kiemia Rezagian, at kiemia@cape.ca. To stay up-to-date with CAPE’s work, please subscribe to CAPE’s mailing list.