DL4D (Distance Learning for Development) offers postgraduate training to those working in the field of international development. This site has information on over 140 short courses available to study at a distance. They cover the range of skills and knowledge areas expected of the international development professional, including: essential skills for implementing and managing projects in developing countries; introductions to macro-level economic and policy-making practice; and advanced courses in health, sanitation, agriculture and environmental studies. All courses are available as stand-alone units of study. They may also contribute towards a broader programme of learning, leading to internationally recognised higher-level qualifications. Some courses are only available at certain times of year. Check the details of the courses you are interested in for more information.
Jobs and Announcements
Healthcare around the world is unaffordable for millions of people. At the same time, states are responsible for delivering universal access to health systems according to their legal commitments to the Right to Health. However, Action for Global Health argues that this is only possible if they develop sustainable health financing mechanisms to support strong and equitable national health systems. To make Universal Health Coverage (UHC) a reality, there is still the need for greater political will both, at national level, to put into practice the reforms needed and, at international level, to promote and revitalise a general consensus towards ‘health for all’, facilitating technical support and additional resources. Making progress towards UHC will accelerate social and economic growth, is fundamental to sustainable development and is fair, argues Action for Global Health. The organisation, which consists of a network of non-governmental organisations, has been working on a common statement for UHC, asking for greater political support and promoting a joint movement for UHC. If your organisation wants to sign on, please contact Action for Global Health.
The Southern Africa Trust, in partnership with the Mail & Guardian newspaper, announces the establishment of the DRIVERS OF CHANGE award. The DRIVERS OF CHANGE award has been established to hold up living examples of innovative practices, inclusive attitudes, and effective processes that build social trust and create the best conditions to make a real and lasting difference in the lives of people living in poverty. The closing date for entries is Friday 25 August 2006.
The objective of this course is to help sharpen the facilitation techniques of people who use participatory methods for their projects, and who work with groups. This course will deepen their understanding of group processes, and provides a space for facilitators to learn from each other by sharing knowledge and experiences. The training course will be run in a workshop style with a high degree of participant involvement using adult learning methods. Group work and role plays will be interspersed with input sessions combining theory and practice. The trainers are expert facilitators, and will also demonstrate the skills that they share. The course is also designed to include a range of different method that can be used to facilitate group processes. The training course covers essential skills for facilitation, the roles of a facilitator and interpersonal communication and conversation styles in facilitation. Further, the course will introduce participants to skills on how to manage group dynamics & understanding group decision-making processes, how to design a facilitation process and facilitation tools and techniques and how to use them.
The e-3x5 is an electronic discussion group and information network created by the World Health Organisation (WHO) and UNAIDS in collaboration with SATELLIFE. The goal of e-3x5 is to provide a forum for dialogue and exchange of information on the WHO and partner-supported initiative to get 3 million people living with HIV/AIDS in resource-limited countries on antiretroviral therapy (ART) by the end of 2005, as a first step to achieving the goal of universal access to treatment as a human right.
June 24 -July 5 2002. Globally on an average 47% of the population live in urban areas. Even at the lower consumption figures of 100 -150 litres per capita per day the water consumption in Africa would be 45 mill m3 and in Asia 200 mill (Water and sanitation assessment report prepared for the 2nd World Water Forum). Most of this water returns as waste. On the other hand agriculture consumes more than 70 percent of exploited water resources globally and cities are increasingly competing for water with agriculture. See the RUAF website for more information.
The WHO/Geneva, the WHO Regional Office for Africa, the Ghana National Drugs Programme of the Ministry of Health Ghana, the Ghana College of Physicians and Surgeons and the Faculty of Pharmacy, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology will jointly organize a 10-day training course on the use of pharmacoeconomics in medicines selection.
The course aims to build capacities of managers in health insurance programs, procurement agencies and relevant staff in public and private health facilities to make evidenced based decisions on selection of medicines for their essential medicines lists which are used for procurement, re-imbursements under health insurance programs and promote cost effective use of medicines. Preference will be given to participants from the African region, as well as emphasizing preference for people working in the public sector.
WHO's new e-learning course on health financing policy for UHC has now been launched. This e-learning course comprises six modules which cover the core functions of health financial policy as conceptualised by WHO. Each module is divided into a number of sub-topics. This is a foundational course which targets participants of various levels of experience and expertise. The course is designed to be used in a variety of ways: as preparation for those who will attend a WHO face-to-face course, for those who are for various reasons unable to attend a face-to-face course, and for those who have already attended courses and wish to refresh their knowledge. Individual modules can also be used as part of a programme of blended capacity building. The course is also designed to work seamlessly on a range of devices, operating systems, and browser in a responsive fashion, in order to maximise ease of use. Module 1 provides an overview of the goals of universal health coverage, health financing and what UHC brings to health financing policy. The following modules cover revenue raising, pooling revenues, purchasing and benefit package design.
Globalisation has been portrayed to developing countries as a panacea for under development, poverty, inequality and ill health. After two decades, (since the structural adjustment programmes) of operating in a globalised world the Health Sector has increasingly borne the brunt of failed globalisation, increased poverty and inequality through higher investments in health and mitigating against an ever increasing burden of disease. What has become apparent to developing countries is that they need to be very prepared for international meetings and to improve diplomacy and negotiations skills as they participate in these meetings so that they can accrue the most benefits for their citizens and countries. This five day course is offered by the ECSA Health Community and presented by experts on issues especially for the World Health Assembly and trade and Health agenda. For further information and an application form please visit the website.
The East, Central and Southern Africa Health Community (ECSA-HC) is an inter- governmental organisation, which was established to foster regional cooperation to address priority health problems, in order to attain the highest possible standards of health for the people of the region. In pursuit of its mandate, ECSA-HC facilitates the convening of regional meetings namely; the Best Practices Forum (BPF) and the Directors Joint Consultative Committee (DJCC). The aim of the BPF and DJCC meetings is to share best practices and research evidence, identify relevant health policy issues and making recommendations to the Health Ministers Conference, towards the improvement of health programming and outcomes in the region. The upcoming conference will provide a forum for health scientists, policy makers, development partners and other stakeholders in health, food and water and sanitation for health to present their best practices and research evidence that inform policies and programming in the ECSA region. The Conference will be organised in two parts as follows; The Regional Forum on Best Practices from 19 to 20 June 2019 and the Directors Joint Consultative Committee from 21 June 2019. The theme for the 12th BPF is Innovation and Accountability in Health Towards achieving Universal Health Coverage. The theme will be addressed through the following sub-themes: Efforts to improve adolescent and young people’s health; Opportunities for achieving water and sanitation health global target; Equity and access to eye healthcare in the ECSA region; Innovative approaches towards achieving food safety and improving quality of life; Prioritising substance use and mental health challenges in the ECSA Region; Tackling emerging and re-emerging health threats: A regional One Health approach to managing recurrent outbreaks in the region. ECSA-HC invites submission of abstracts for best practices and scientific papers that are relevant to the conference theme or sub themes.