This week, the Global Health Advocacy Incubator (GHAI) hosted a webinar to launch our revised Communications and Media Advocacy Action Guide, a comprehensive resource for public health advocates to plan and execute impactful communications campaigns. The event brought together global experts to share insights on the role of communications in achieving public health policy victories—and how our guide can help support those efforts.
Moderated by Jen Patterson, Director of Communications at GHAI, the panel included Lopa Ghosh (Senior Advisor, Communications, GHAI), Belinda Moses (Associate Director, Communications, Africa Region, Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids) and Giang Bui (Vietnam Program Manager, GHAI).
Jen Patterson introduced the Guide, emphasizing its origins and purpose: “Effective communications is key to successful policy advocacy outcomes. This Guide distills lessons learned from campaigns across the globe into eight actionable elements.” She highlighted the guide’s practical tools and templates, designed to help advocates mobilize supporters, motivate policymakers and achieve results.
Panelists shared examples of how the Guide has been used to drive meaningful change in diverse regions:
- Lopa Ghosh detailed how survivor stories in India and Bangladesh have humanized campaigns and created public pressure to advance policy change. She noted, “Media advocacy plays a pivotal role in driving policy change by creating public pressure and framing issues in ways that resonate with decision-makers.”
- Belinda Moses shared the success of the "PROTECT OUR NEXT" campaign in South Africa, which showcased the agility required to navigate an unpredictable policy landscape. She stressed the importance of timing and audience-specific messaging to counter well-funded opposition effectively.
- Giang Bui highlighted Vietnam’s child drowning prevention efforts, demonstrating how communications strategies have amplified stakeholder engagement. She explained how the program’s use of evidence-based messaging and media partnerships has driven provincial action plans and increased local co-funding for interventions.
The Communications and Media Advocacy Action Guide is available here in English, Spanish and French. Devex, in partnership with GHAI, also explored insights from our guide in a new blog post that you can read here. And watch the recap of the webinar below: